You haven’t seen me blog as much as I normally do lately other than posting sermons. Writing like a crazy woman some days, I’ve sought to give more attention to my book long project instead of other stuff.
When I come out of my writing cave and seek to tell people what I’ve been up to, the number one thing people say often in a condescending tone of voice is: “That must be so healing for you” or “Writing is so therapeutic, so good for you.”
And in response, I use self-control to not growl. And I really want to growl.
I realize people mean well. They’re just trying to be supportive. Many can’t imagine writing as honestly as I am trying to do.
But, I want to proclaim writing is not an “all about me” task. It’s not something I do rooted in selfish motives. I’ m not trying to throw up my emotional baggage on the world. I write because I am a writer. I write about painful things sometimes because painful things have happened to me and need to be heard. I write about joy sometimes because happy things happen to me and I want to encourage others. I write because like a painter or a carver or a sculptor, word choice is my art form. I write to practice my art. Sometimes what I produce is good art. Other times it needs to be sent back to the drafting board altogether or thrown in the trash. But it’s still art. And I still must write.
If I wrote for therapy, then I should get a journal or talk to a therapist (I already do both from time to time). These things are less painful. More private. Less drafting and wasted paper.
It’s burdensome task, I believe, putting your honest self out to the world, having no idea how people will respond to a story that isn’t just a story to you. It’s your life, and the only one you’ve got. Writing about your own life, I believe, can be one of the most courageous things people do.
Sure, as they say, writing can mature the soul. In writing, the pain has somewhere to go: to the paper. And, when you have to think about something long enough to find just the right word, you usually walk away with heighten self-awareness (which is never a bad thing). Healing and self-awareness are cousins. It’s true.
But I don’t think most writers, write because of personal sickness (though I’m sure some do, but I’m not friends with these folks). I don’t think writers write so that just anyone can know their less than flattering thoughts or moments. I don’t know think they write just to feel better. Writers write to connect them into what it means to be human.
And this is my point: I write because I don’t know how to not write. So if you stick around, you’ll have more to read in the future. And, this is what I can promise you, the stories to come will be my truth.
