Think about the process of writing for a second...
An experience happens, causing a single thought to occur. This thought may be a word, an image, a memory, or even all three scrambled together. We then take time out of our busy day to sit down and pour those thoughts out onto either paper or a keyboard. This is when we dive deeper into what the thought could mean. We gather research and stories to help support our idea. All the while fighting to ignore that annoying voice in our head that's trying to convince us how stupid the idea is. Once all the ideas, images, research, and words are on the paper, our work has only begun. Now we must slave over the editing process, to make sure that other human beings can make sense of our rambling. We cut words, re-organize sentences, re-write entire paragraphs. We check for grammar, spelling, and our facts to make sure they are correct. Then, as if we aren't sick enough of this piece of writing, we read it over one, two, and three more times to make sure that it's just right.
Wow, what a mouthful! What a process!
If we're willing to go through all that trouble just to write something, if we're willing to put in all that time, effort, blood sweat, and tears, then wouldn't it be an absolute crime not to share it just because we are afraid?
Afraid of the critics?
Trust me, the critics of the outside world cannot be nearly as harsh as the ones who live in my head.
Afraid that no one will read it?
The only way to ensure that is to not share it.
Afraid you aren't any good?
I don't know about you, but I'd rather be told I'm not good than sit in ignorance all my life. Once I've been told, at least I can work to get better.
If we're going to go through this insane process of writing, we might as well share it. In fact, I believe it's more serious than that. I believe we have a responsibility, to ourselves and to our world, to share our writing with someone. It doesn't matter who. Just someone.
Share.
An experience happens, causing a single thought to occur. This thought may be a word, an image, a memory, or even all three scrambled together. We then take time out of our busy day to sit down and pour those thoughts out onto either paper or a keyboard. This is when we dive deeper into what the thought could mean. We gather research and stories to help support our idea. All the while fighting to ignore that annoying voice in our head that's trying to convince us how stupid the idea is. Once all the ideas, images, research, and words are on the paper, our work has only begun. Now we must slave over the editing process, to make sure that other human beings can make sense of our rambling. We cut words, re-organize sentences, re-write entire paragraphs. We check for grammar, spelling, and our facts to make sure they are correct. Then, as if we aren't sick enough of this piece of writing, we read it over one, two, and three more times to make sure that it's just right.
Wow, what a mouthful! What a process!
If we're willing to go through all that trouble just to write something, if we're willing to put in all that time, effort, blood sweat, and tears, then wouldn't it be an absolute crime not to share it just because we are afraid?
Afraid of the critics?
Trust me, the critics of the outside world cannot be nearly as harsh as the ones who live in my head.
Afraid that no one will read it?
The only way to ensure that is to not share it.
Afraid you aren't any good?
I don't know about you, but I'd rather be told I'm not good than sit in ignorance all my life. Once I've been told, at least I can work to get better.
If we're going to go through this insane process of writing, we might as well share it. In fact, I believe it's more serious than that. I believe we have a responsibility, to ourselves and to our world, to share our writing with someone. It doesn't matter who. Just someone.
Share.
