I've written so many things - two volumes of short stories, dozens of essays, poems, etc - and have always been so eager to share them with friends, scared to share them with family, and downright uptight about sharing them with strangers. It's as if I always want to play ball in front of the home team. With strangers, it was always the risk of criticism. With my family, it was being judged. My parents are gone now, and though I loved and miss them, it's been liberating to write about their passings, and then to become more "myself" in my writing, less concerned about who reads it or what they make of it. I'm not sure if the two are connected or not. I'm still working through what all of it means.
I'm a medium, rather than I minister. But I do share addresses with the congregation from.platform. They are inspired, so flow fairly readily, unlike my poetry and writing.
I find it difficult to write in a group, even an online group. My writing flows much more readily when I'm writing alone. This applies even when I'm on a course, as now.
Thank you for this. As a child who was teased and bullied, I’m finding it a long process of sharing myself in my writing. I do it, but always apologetically or with disclaimers, afraid of rejection. I want to let go of the qualifiers and jump fully into my quirky but also ever-changing self. The other day I thought “story! I can share myself in story!” (With a few reservations about long-form stories.) And now, after reading this, I’m thinking “of course! Poetry! I can share myself in poetry.” Which I already have done for basically my whole life, but it just usually comes out of me when it needs to, mostly writing itself. Harder to do when I try to call it out of me.
Thanks for the inspiration and for the kick in the butt. This is why we MUST share our stories. Because they give others permission to share theirs.
This is really helpful for me to think through right now. I’m having a really hard time differentiating when vulnerability is courage and when vulnerability is betraying myself. I’ve subjected myself to a lot of criticism in the last few months, and it’s hard to discern when you’re casting your pearls before swine, or when you’re, helping people connect to their deepest selves through your disclosures.
I appreciate your comments about your fear when you published your first book of poetry. I am still working on mine, but already panicking a bit at the thoughts of what people in my life will be reading. And yet, I know those poems need to be in there.
I've written so many things - two volumes of short stories, dozens of essays, poems, etc - and have always been so eager to share them with friends, scared to share them with family, and downright uptight about sharing them with strangers. It's as if I always want to play ball in front of the home team. With strangers, it was always the risk of criticism. With my family, it was being judged. My parents are gone now, and though I loved and miss them, it's been liberating to write about their passings, and then to become more "myself" in my writing, less concerned about who reads it or what they make of it. I'm not sure if the two are connected or not. I'm still working through what all of it means.
I'm a medium, rather than I minister. But I do share addresses with the congregation from.platform. They are inspired, so flow fairly readily, unlike my poetry and writing.
I find it difficult to write in a group, even an online group. My writing flows much more readily when I'm writing alone. This applies even when I'm on a course, as now.
Hi Gillian, I have the same experience often with writing in a group. I find I most often need a quiet space and solitude to write.
That's interesting. Glad I shared it,
Thank you for this. As a child who was teased and bullied, I’m finding it a long process of sharing myself in my writing. I do it, but always apologetically or with disclaimers, afraid of rejection. I want to let go of the qualifiers and jump fully into my quirky but also ever-changing self. The other day I thought “story! I can share myself in story!” (With a few reservations about long-form stories.) And now, after reading this, I’m thinking “of course! Poetry! I can share myself in poetry.” Which I already have done for basically my whole life, but it just usually comes out of me when it needs to, mostly writing itself. Harder to do when I try to call it out of me.
Thanks for the inspiration and for the kick in the butt. This is why we MUST share our stories. Because they give others permission to share theirs.
I love this so much. I would love to see what you share!
This is really helpful for me to think through right now. I’m having a really hard time differentiating when vulnerability is courage and when vulnerability is betraying myself. I’ve subjected myself to a lot of criticism in the last few months, and it’s hard to discern when you’re casting your pearls before swine, or when you’re, helping people connect to their deepest selves through your disclosures.
It is so hard, huh! Glad this is somewhat helpful, I know everyone’s experience is so unique
This was a really helpful read thank you from a new writer and lover of sober life! 💕
Oh yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🥰
I appreciate your comments about your fear when you published your first book of poetry. I am still working on mine, but already panicking a bit at the thoughts of what people in my life will be reading. And yet, I know those poems need to be in there.
Yes, I do think making the book without considering other people first is best. Then you can make some final decisions once the book is ready to go ❤️
Thanks for this Alix!!! Great advice!!
Thank you for this piece! This topic has been rattling around in my mind as I work on my initial substack posts.
Yay! I just subscribed - can’t wait to see what comes of it :)