"Work on projects that make your heart sing." Lady Bird Johnson
I write to be read. That is the concise answer to the questions, “Where do you find fulfillment in writing? Why do you write?” Precisely what you are doing right now is why this post came into existence. For you to read to the last word will make my day. Thank you
There was a solid measure of shame for answering this way. Writing to be read felt like a guilty pleasure compared to many friends who write for the sheer happiness of expression. They are quite content to fill pages of notebooks with prose only their eyes see. Not me. Well, not entirely me. The journals, jam-packed into the drawers of my writing desk, testify to a devotion to writing for myself. Every page is filled with quotes, Bible verses, prayers, musings, message ideas, and summaries of most days from the last 47 years of my life.
My feelings of guilt changed when I realized that writing engaging pieces that are good enough and relevant enough to be read starts with telling the truth. Not “the truth,” but writing about personal, real experiences and how they connect to a reader’s life.
TRUTH
Most people associate the truth with what is significant, and associating writing with truth can make writing significant.
Look at the positive effects of telling the truth when you write.
Truth and wholeness are correlative. Light dispels darkness. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) The depth of vulnerability in a story sets readers up to find their own freedom. Case in point, Glori Meldrum got deeply personal in “Warrior,” her story of surviving childhood sexual abuse. Thousands of readers were inspired to action by the freedom Glori found despite the horror she endured as an eight-year-old and the resultant struggle with PTSD and anxiety.
Have you seen the connection between editing and truth? Editing is not just a way of cleaning up a piece. Think of it as getting closer to the truth. When you go back and read what you’ve written you see that you didn’t convey exactly what you meant. Asking, “What am I trying to say?” will get you closer to the truth. Editing ensures your word selection helps readers feel and engage the truth.
DANGEROUS
Fair warning, the truth can be dangerous. In the need to be truthful about subjects that matter, I write about experiences some readers would rather not know – abuse, divorce, addiction, disease, suicide, death.
My most read post on the Inscribe blogsite identified how Christian teachings can support domestic violence in the Church. I addressed this issue on behalf of all women who suffered or are suffering abuse in a Christian community and cannot find help or a way out. Women who experienced abuse courageously told their truth in the comment section.
Maybe writing to be read isn’t such a guilty pleasure after all. The wider your readership, the greater the desire there is to tell truths that matter.
My other guilty pleasures? Macaroon chocolates, chocolate-covered almonds, chocolate ice cream, chocolate in my coffee. Seeing a trend?
Thank you for reading to the end. Now, if you would be so kind as to leave a comment you will affirm that what was written was significant. I will be grateful, not guilty.
That’s the truth.
I write to grow hope, inspire people to be real, forge an authentic faith in Jesus, and discover their life purpose.
Please follow my writing at REVwords.com
I would love to hear from you.
Thank you, Bob, for reminding writers about the sweet pleasure of having our work read. Yes, it's chocolate to my soul when something I've written resonates with readers and inspires deeper faith.
ReplyDeleteAnd a hearty amen to your post you linked to.
Here's my favorite take-away for today: "Editing is not just a way of cleaning up a piece. Think of it as getting closer to the truth."
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
A fellow chocolate lover! Thank you Wendy for reading AND commenting.
DeleteIt means much when someone takes the time to comment on my writing. Telling the truth in ways that open people's hearts to God can be effected in so many ways. This post reminds me of Frederick Buechner's "Telling the Truth" in which he refers to the truths of the gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale. Your line "The wider your readership, the greater the desire there is to tell truths that matter."
ReplyDeleteNow for an important question - dark chocolate or milk chocolate?
Both, of course! :) I eat more milk chocolate than dark, but when I tell myself that eating chocolate is healthy, I am using eating dark chocolate. Thank you Lorrie!
DeleteI always read your posts to the end, Bob! I totally get your first statement that writing to be read sound selfish - something you should be guilty about. But I also believe that if we have a message or calling from God, we have to be willing to put it out there for readers, kind of like the way God called us to be witnesses. Kepp on writing!
ReplyDeleteSo right, Tracy. I was thinking I should have focused on "publishing" rather than "writing" to be read. Its one thing to write or journal our thoughts. Its quite another to hit publish and launch our writing into the public eye. Thank you for ALWAYS reading to the end!
DeleteThanks, Bob, for bringing to light one of the main reasons writers write. I believe God gives us a message He wants to convey through our writing, so, of course, we want our work to be read.
ReplyDeleteA line that spoke to me: "The depth of vulnerability in a story sets readers up to find their own freedom." When I write from my own, often painful, experiences, I do so for others because I want them to find their own freedom, as I did, through Christ.
I also appreciate what you wrote about editing getting us closer to the truth. It is satisfying to find just the right words to convey what is on our heart.
I always look forward to reading your post, Bob. Well done!
Thank you, Val. You are generous with your encouragement and your vulnerability.
DeleteThanks, Bob. I love your perspective on truth and the writer’s message….though perhaps not as much as chocolate 😉 Thanks for giving me something to think about.
ReplyDeleteAnother chocolate lover! Thank you for reading and commenting Sharon.
DeleteThanks so much for your words of wisdom, Bob. Several years ago a blog topic was, "Why do you write?" Your succinct answer was, "I write to be read." That resonated and has stayed with me through the years. Ultimately we want our words to go out into the world to bless, help, entertain, etc, others.
ReplyDeleteRevising as getting closer to the truth also resonated with me. Each time we work on a piece, we uncover layers of meaning, articulating what we've been trying to say all along. Thanks again for this post, Bob.
And chocolate? Well, I'm not exactly a chocoholic.
Thank you for the reminder of what I said, Sandi. At least I am consistent. :) You'll have to give chocolate more space in your life. Thank you for commenting.
DeleteLoved your post, Bob. You said it beautifully. As a person who is affirmed by words, I, too, write and wait with secret anticipation for replies from readers who tell me they found something good in what I've written. Makes writing worth it.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I do like your insightful line: "Editing is not just a way of cleaning up a piece. Think of it as getting closer to the truth." Exactly! That is how I have come to see it--trying out these words and those phrases to uncover the best way to convey as closely as possible the truth of the matter.
Yum to all things chocolate, especially those chocolate macaroons (bought in bygone days by the ounce at the Eaton's candy counter and handed to you in a little white paper bag.)
Thanks, Bob!
I remember those white paper bags! It sounds like we share "words of affirmation" as a love language. Thank you for writing, reading, and commenting.
DeleteBravo Bob! Thank you for your expressions of "truth" in our writing. I also read your posts to the end. I mean, what else would I do? Keep writing, brother. Oh, and by the way. Yes to chocolate in all its yummy forms!
ReplyDeleteLove your sense of humour, Alan. And chocolate! Thank you for commenting.
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