Like the crutch used by the dancers in the video, The Dance, we all wear masks. Yet unlike the dancers use of the crutch, free and willing to share, too many of us cling to the mask, hide behind it, make it the one, and only face we show the world.
Writers, like all people wear masks.
All too often we use our role as writer as a persona. The words of our stories become walls we hide behind, rather than steps upon the crutch on which to ascend to the epiphanies rooted in the depths of our souls.
We set out penning a story, some of us, dependent upon and adhering to craft. Others of us dismiss the need for apprenticing under those who have traveled the road of writing farther and longer than have we.
In either case there stand pitfalls, obstacles along the journey’s edge that require us to stop and reflect.
What defenses arise when you write?
How do you address them?
For those who heed not the call to study and learn the skill and art of writing, I suggest that you perhaps ask yourself why. I challenge you in the face of receiving no answer to ponder how it is you can convey your stories without learning the rules of the trade.
Make no mistake. Writing, though it may appear so, is nothing like speaking. It is a perilous journey, the needs of which the journeyman must not underestimate.
That we use language and words each day to communicate does not say that we are endowed with the ability to write. Nor does it say that we inherently possess the artistry and skill to craft stories that engage and entertain.
When setting out to tell a story we must look between the crevices of each word and sentence, and identify, and isolate the intricacies that went, and go into linking them.
On this we owe it to ourselves and any we hope to read our words to ponder the question, Can we, as have other good writers, muster the patience to attempt the same as they have achieved?
How long have you studied the craft of writing?
Who are your mentors and teachers?
Hi Anjulle:
Excellent post!!!
You are so right in stating that all too often, we jump into writing a story without really understanding all the components necessary to write it properly.
As an author, I consider my writing as a job and not simply something I do ever no and then. Hence, as with any other job, continuing education is needed in order to move to the next level.
.-= LaConnie´s last blog ..The Power of Social Networking =-.
Writing is often like therapy for me in that it helps me penetrate the unconscious, make it conscious, and deal with it. It’s rather a constant journey that’s integrated with everything else that I do.
I enjoyed your post and the questions it raises.
Malcolm
Yes, I would agree, particularly in that writing is a constant journey. I am perpetually looking at all sides of myself as I create and work with characters. Even in the development of settings I am forced to revisit places I have traveled and lived and review them with different lenses.
Writing certainly does provide a bridge for transporting what is unconscious into consciousness.
I’m glad this provoked questions you enjoyed exploring.
Thanks so much.
So much of the journey of writing is constant learning and being excited and open to that learning. With each story or novel I write, I learn something about not only the craft of fiction, but myself and how I learn. Writing is not a static art. In that it is an art from, we the writers much be constantly moving and changing in all ways.
If we are not prepared to do that then this is not the work or mission for us.
Thanks so much for your comment.