Writing is akin to being naked in the street baring yourself to the world.
This paraphrases the thought expressed to me by a friend recently when we discussed publishing one’s writing.
The analogy is very good in fact as what we write are our thoughts, which normally are of course politely and extremely well hidden from public view and safe from prying eyes and ears. Our thoughts are without exception, the most private parts of our body. An exquisite result of water, cells and electricity that produces these invisible, untouchable and deeply hidden notions. So deeply hidden that we have difficulty sharing them with even the closest people in our lives. ‘I just can’t put it into words,’ is such a common expression.
But as writers, we do put these notions into words. That is what we do. Transferring these deeply hidden abstractions, ideas and feelings onto the pages of a book. Often fictitious thoughts, but even then, they are based on our experiences, beliefs, superstitions or moralities. I know in my own writing I have touched on ideas that have no connection at all with my life, but in truth, they are all connected to my imagination, dreams, wishes, regrets, hopes and my own experiences of love and hate, life and death, happiness and misery.
Whether categorised as thoughts, emotions, feelings or the mind’s eye, they are all abstract and deeply seated in our consciousness. Secreted away from any possibility of invasion or detection. However, as writers, we strip away this protection willingly and parade our thoughts to the world. Naked thoughts, stripped emotions and notions bared for all to see.
Of course, this can be said of most art forms, and probably more so for the performing arts. But as writers, we have the unique ability to delve into the mind and dissect and analyse thoughts in a way that theatre and cinema just cannot do. We are special.
While we are not dropping our drawers and parading ourselves through the streets in Lady Godiva fashion, it is true that we bare ourselves and are open to criticism, rejection and ridicule. But because we are writers that’s what we do, and want to do.
Bravo Derek, I couldn’t have said it better. :D
“We are special.” Indeed, Derek. So, i have seen your underpants. Proverbially. :-)
As a new writer, it is extremely difficult to parade around with your work and offer it up. I do feel naked and occasionally afraid to share. The dominant voice is more afraid to not share and pass on the opportunity for my words to have a life. A year ago, I launched web site. It focuses on foods I create and my passion for food, travel, music and SUP. I have a fiction book that I finally started,it has been on my mind for years. A story that needs to be written regardless of the outcome. I do feel exposed with my sharing of words. I listen to all opinions with an open mind. Going forward, I hope that my skin is thick enough to handle the dissections. I will continue to walk out into the world, stripped down and exposed because my biggest fear is regret.