Wednesday, April 17, 2013

A to Z Challenge: Organ Risk

There's something awesome yet painful about writing, be it a novel, short story, poem or blog. We writer's can pick up various disguises as we write. Sometimes, we write through characters. Other times, through a narrator. Or even through a way of bringing a point across, like academic writing. 

That's the great part, in case you're wondering. 

The less than great part is this. To write any fiction (and I suspect non-fiction, but someone with more experience will have to corroborate) that's worth reading, we need to tap into our souls. 

And then, we bleed everything we find onto a page. 

Sort of creepy, if you think about it. 

But if you want to write a novel, you can't escape it. See, you know how you felt when you were overjoyed. So you use those emotions for the day two of your characters marry. But books aren't all about happy days. There's fear. There's evil. There's rage. 

And if you want any of the above in your book, you're going to have to dig deep inside yourself in order to write it. 

Which is why criticism on our writing hurts like a bitch. No matter how good or bad your writing, it's part of the depths of your soul. Letting someone read it is like opening your rib-cage. 

Anyone who reads the story can take a stab at your heart. 

One would think that the easy solution would be to keep a book to yourself. Good thinking, except for a minor problem. See... writers are... well...

We're insane.
And even if we know there's the risk that people might hate the story we've written, we want to share the fruits of our labors. 

Which means that stabs to our hearts are part of the business. 

Who else feels terrified when letting a CP read your book? 

14 comments:

  1. Writing is revealing the depths of the soul. I like what you said. Writing reveals something intimate. There is something insane about writing, and yet there is something therapeutic about it...

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  2. We are an odd bunch!
    Not afraid to let my critique partners read it. They're awesome. And very funny. Releasing it into the world is a little scary. But no matter who doesn't like it, there will be enough that do to keep us going.

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  3. Its blood, sweat, and tears...really.

    Hugs and chocolate,
    Shelly

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  4. Writing also releases a story that's simmering in the soul. Once released, I don't think it can be written again.

    Very insightful post, Misha.

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  5. Even poetry can be scary letting people read it. I do admire people who can write novels/stories but each to our own I guess.

    Yvonne.

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  6. I haven't finished my book yet, but I've already wondered whether anyone will even like the idea. To me, the idea is amazing, but I can be weird, so who knows.

    #atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com

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  7. This is such a wonderful post! There is a book I've been wanting to write -that's been begging me to write it- for a while now and I've avoided it because it does have evil in it. And I know it's going to require a lot of me. Hmm, guess I just need to dive in, huh?

    Oh, and I haven't had a CP in a very long time. I miss having that accountability but, yes, it IS always hard to have someone else read into your soul. I've dealt with critiques in my writing classes at school but nothing on as intimate a level as CP.

    Hopefully there's one in my near future again. Yikes!

    Jen

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  8. I do get the jitters when my Crit partners read my work. My mind constantly harps on the fact that what must they be thinking.

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  9. So well said and insightful. I feel the same way about CPs going through my book.

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  10. I actually don't have a CP, because I'm not at that stage yet, but I can imagine that it would be nerve-wracking. And I agree that the books aren't all about happy days. I read one book in particular where almost all the characters were in a good mood for practically the entire book; there were a few "problems" or "obstacles" that they faced, but they were wrapped up very quickly just because the characters' outlook towards those issues and each other was so positive. It was a very boring book, and it was frustrating to read as well.

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  11. This is such a great post and so true, writing is like bleeding onto the page and it certainly stings when people don't like it, don't read it or don't understand it

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  12. You have to put it all in the open as a writer.

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  13. Yes, it is a part of us what we write...so interesting as you put it for I did not realize it worked like that for fiction as well (of course it makes complete sense!)

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  14. I always get a nervous feeling in my stomach whenever I share my writing with anyone. I don't have a CP but I've shared my writing with family and friends. Might actually be less nerve racking for me to show my writing to a CP. : )

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