How to become authors- Writing About the Difficult Things

Elizabeth's thoughts...life...

Of all the self improvement books I have read and 'how to' do this or that; it seems that often they have a common theme. Keep a journal, write down your thoughts and don't over think it.

 Recently, I took a "Master Class" taught by a renowned author Joyce Carol Oates based on her book; "The Faith of a Writer: Life, Craft, Art".  One thing that stuck with me was her message that to be a successful author, you have to write about the difficult things. Confronting the taboo topics no one
wants to talk about. She suggested that people read to align with life issues that they have no outlet for.

I have pondered this notion a bit and what I have come to realize that it is truly much easier to write about the beautiful sunsets and happy events. It takes courage and transparency to write about your own private 'life events.' I am addressing the times in one's life when you thought you would surely die, no one cared or ending your life just felt like the best option.

How could writing about such private and emotional things possibly be interesting to anyone or even be a good thing to openly allow others to read about? The process comes full circle. Having the courage to openly write about the big and small mistakes you made in your  life and what your 'take away' lesson was through the pain of it; truly connects with those who align at that moment with what you have written. Connecting with people through our life experiences is a way of lifting each other up. The reader needed to know there was another human being out there tackling similar life challenges.

On the flip side, the process of writing one's life events (either one or several) is very cathartic. It frees the body and mind of a suppressed memory emotion. Writing it out exposes the memory into the light and acknowledges; "been there and done that!" However, that is just the beginning!

The final risk is actually publishing that transparency of your life trauma for everyone who cares to read....into a universal spotlight! No hiding from the truth now!

And so, writing about the difficult things comes full circle. Acknowledge that what you have to say is worthy and it can help others.  Courage is the next step to write about it and then publish it. Once this step is done, I can imagine it is very freeing to let the burden go. Even though you may feel you might be opening yourself up to a virtual stoning, what's the worst thing that can happen? If you can live with the 'worst thing' that can happen by writing about the 'difficult things;' then I venture to say that the next phase is transformation. Turning an experience into wisdom....

Write ON!