"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.
