The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “I Walk the Line.”
“It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else” — Erma Bombeck
Sharing my creative writing with others is gratifying as much as it is terrifying, because I’m not just writing for myself anymore. To say I don’t care what others think would be a blatant and unnecessary lie. I do care, and that’s not going away. I want to hear specific feedback, whether it’s all love or constructive criticism because they’re showing me that they believe I can grow. What gets to me is when I’m just given “Nice.” I don’t know if they mean it or if they’re just trying to be nice. Maybe I’m projecting my own doubts onto them (which isn’t fair to anyone). Maybe I shouldn’t say all of this because I shouldn’t let anyone see me sweat. Maybe I should hold back until I’m able to make others think writing always comes easy to me, but no. None of that is real — that isn’t me — and for whom’s benefit would I be doing it for? My mind wades through these thoughts as I listen to this song.
I believe in writing with few filters and an open heart. There will always be some who don’t get me, or my writing, but I can only speak my own truths. If they resonate with others, it’s that much more “rewarding.”
This video is really amazing… on so many levels.
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Great advice and way of moving forward. Thanks for being so thoughtful ❤
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I can understand the terror of sharing your writing with people. I’m constantly overthinking and wondering if it makes sense to the reader the way it does it me. Am I too vague in some places? Do they like it? Do they not and are just pretending?
As someone who feels the need to please people so they’ll like me (not the best way to live life, but I’m working on it!), I used to write what I thought people would enjoy, or what they wanted me to write. I’m slowly overcoming that, but the doubt still makes me extremely cautious before I post anything. Everything gets proofread about twenty times, and even still I’m questioning, is it good enough?
I love the quote!
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Thanks for sharing this, despite your nerves. ❤ The honesty and care you put into your posts and comments hook me. Now I'm even more aware of how much you put into each of them. It's great to connect with others who've also experienced the realization that the nerves aren't going anywhere, so we might as well keep going and bring them along instead of waiting for them to leave/evaporate.
We just gotta go for it.
And if we're not authentic with our writing, that passion we have for writing might just burn out. I'm glad you're writing what you also want. I think it's important to say what we feel the need to say as others who are looking for those words, for those messages, will pass on by and also miss that chance to connect. 🙂
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Comments like that are the absolute worst. I absolutely understand why you’re afraid to share it, it’s such a personal thing
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Exactly! I want to share, but I feel iffy when others respond with just “nice.” It almost feels like a shrug.
🙂 A big part of writing is making others feel something, so I see “nice” as a challenge to further inspire readers to give me more feedback (to improve in my own way).
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That’s a good plan! But it is hard when they aren’t telling you exactly what’s good. If you ever want a writing buddy for advice, I’m here 🙂
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Yesss, specific things. You’re speaking my language. Thanks for the offer. Writers need to stick together 😀 😉 Same to you!
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I’ll let you know when I get to the editing stages of my book and stop procrastinating 😛
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Please do! I’ll jot your name and blog down as a reminder for me. ^_^
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Fwow! What a video😰 So many “translations” for it….I have to keep on watching it for a while…
As far as for writing is concerned, I myself had never thought of exposing myself, because I used to write just for myself. I still write for myself 😆 but I like to be liked for my writing.I ‘m not afraid of exposure anymore… I’ve changed level, it seems! !! Yuppie! !!!!😄
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