The writing process is the most personal thing I go through in my life. I bare my soul much more than I want to. Then I ask myself, who wants to read something if it is not from the heart?
The most personal piece of writing I ever tackled was a screenplay I wrote in college about my first experience with bipolar disorder. The wound was so raw, I had to fictionalize it. I told the true story, but not in the first person. It was too painful to admit that it had happened to me, because there was a great deal of misunderstanding about mental illness at the time.
Because I didn’t admit the screenplay was a true story about my life, it seemed so bizarre to others. People didn’t believe it. They found the story implausible. “That could never happen!” was the criticism I received from my classmates.
I rewrote the story on a blog, and it has been accepted by one publisher. All I have left is some final editing and to make an initial investment in marketing, and I will have completed the book. Yet, I hesitate. What holds me back? I am open online about my disorder. I publish a daily paper on mental health and mental illness. What is keeping me from moving forward? ~ The angst of writing. I am not ready to relive those early experiences.
That is the dilemma of being a writer. I know that I cannot back away from the pain in my story, and you cannot let yourself or your characters off the hook either. Face the emotional pain and triumph. You must face the pain and write it down. Write down your feelings. Be honest and true to your story. Anything else cheats your readers of the depth of your story and your experience as you lived it.
I’ll never forget the advice my screenwriting teacher gave me many years ago, “Do not back away from the drama.” Why? If you do, your story loses all its power. You won’t connect as genuinely with your readers, because you cheated them of the depth of anguish, pain, or fear that the protagonist is going through. In a good story, that character suffers through, finds courage and plunges ahead.
Just as I must do to finish story about a young woman who loses everything: her husband, her career, her mind, her only child and must work hard on her health to come back to life. The story has a triumphant ending and will be available in book form as “A Mother’s Ring.” I appreciate readers sending positive thoughts my way as I attempt to finish the tale.
Don’t be afraid to suffer for your craft. The rewards are great. You do it for the audience and to share your story which may change the day, or even the life of someone who reads it.
Libby Baker Sweiger
@libbytalks
LBS Consult
Hi Libby – I love this perspective on writing, as I have similar feelings fears about exposing myself…and yet when I have done so, revealed just a little bit more, I have gotten alot of positive feedback! You say “Face the emotional pain and triumph. You must face the pain and write it down. ” beautiful and difficult! Warmly, Kathy
Kathy, thanks so much for the comment! Yes, it is difficult. You are so empathetic. I appreciate you, your feedback and your support always. I will be thinking of you in all of your writing endeavors and look forward to our interview very much. Take care and many blessings to you!
Beautiful Libby!! We have talked about this for, well, years now!!! It takes what may be eating you up inside you= OUT!!! Transparency is our Lord’s key to a blessed relationship with Him. Not to talk about things that are of different tense-or “about” someone else, but be proud enough to say, HEY Jesus got me thru this-and look at me today!! Girl… you are loved and cherished as you may know by our Lord, but maybe you don’t realize it as often as you should– you are very loved and cherished by your friends, acquaintances, people who just know and look up to YOU from all social media and in person… you are a gift to me and so many!!! They days you may feel down-remember to tell yourself how loved you are from all four corners of this world thru our Lord-and take heart…. He only has more planned-each day that He knows is the right day to use your gifts. Bless you sweet sister- I cannot wait to see you…. friends for so long!!! Friends for eternity! Much love….. Hetty
Heather, dear friend…you are such an inspiration to me and a terrific blessing and encouragement. You are always buoying me up if I am down and you are so right about being transparent. It is difficult. As I said in a comment on Facebook. I shy away from the drama in my life, because I like to be happy all the time. But, that is an impossibility. We can have peace and joy in our faith, but the constant pursuit of happiness is a dead end. We cannot be honest about our feelings and what is happening in our lives if that is our goal. Love you dear one and look forward to our visit very soon. Thank you. You are a gift to me and I treasure our friendship. Blessings!
Well thank you so much! Have a great day!