Embrace Your Inner Writer
Rediscover the Joy and Humanity in Storytelling with Five Simple Tips
Dear Friends,
Every time I teach a workshop, lead an online course, speak to an audience, or work one-on-one with a writer, there's one question that always arises: "What if I'm not really a 'writer'?"
Over the years, I’ve witnessed this doubt in writers of all kinds. It happens to those with a burning desire to tell their story, who have set aside precious resources and time solely for writing; to those with entire manuscripts hidden in a desk drawer; and even to those who have published multiple books.
This crippling self-doubt, often masquerading as bashfulness or imposter syndrome, is a common companion in the act of writing. But why is this? What is it about the word "writer" that we ascribe such untouchable, unattainable meaning to? Why do we endlessly chase something that feels just out of reach?
One reason is our often narrow definition of what it means to be a writer. We tend to think of a writer as someone who fully supports themselves financially by writing books (which is very uncommon). If we’re not completely supporting ourselves this way, we feel we don’t deserve the title.
Does this sound familiar?
It’s not our fault—we live in a capitalistic, profit-driven culture, and it’s only natural that we apply these values to every aspect of our lives as we try to adjust, belong, and fit in. This self-doubt is how capitalism infiltrates our creative lives.
If we step back from this limited definition, we open up a world of possibilities. While one definition of a writer is someone who makes a living writing books, there are many other definitions to choose from. Another definition of a writer is someone who writes, someone who puts marks on a page to express ideas, emotions, stories, and knowledge.
According to Merriam-Webster, writing can be defined as “the act or art of forming visible letters or characters” and “something written: such as letters or characters that serve as visible signs of ideas, words, or symbols; a letter, note, or notice used to communicate or record; a written composition.” Surely, you’ve done this multiple times today as you type, tap, and scratch a pen across the page. Surely, you are a writer.
My working definition of being a writer is the expression of our human instinct and right to share stories. The creative instinct and writing life do not align with capitalism; they are deeper than that. The urge to write and express is part of our biology and basic human-ness. We are all writers. We all have stories to share, and we walk around with a personal archive of experiences tailor-made by us and designed to share. Storytelling, or writing, is the basic human condition—it’s how we connect and function in the community.
Writing isn’t just about putting words on paper. It’s the process of how we communicate with ourselves and each other. It can also be expressed through movement, song, protest, and how we listen. Writing helps us express and make visible what is invisible in our minds. It acts as a translator for our thoughts, desires, and wishes, and serves as a way to elevate and preserve what needs to be shared. Don’t let the label intimidate you; embrace it as a part of your humanity.
Five Steps to Embrace Your Identity as a Writer:
Begin with the Body: Acknowledge and celebrate the stories within. Start with the stories of emotion, sensation, and desire, like hunger or thirst, and validate them as true stories. Everything you need to express is within.
Set an Intention for Your Writing: Clarify why you want to write and what you hope to achieve. This intention will guide your writing journey and keep you focused.
Designate a Roomy and Inviting Space & Routine: Designate a nook, a notepad, or a certain pen—something whose sole purpose is to support your writing. This physical space can help mentally prepare you for writing.
Tell a Supportive Friend: Share your intention to write with a trustworthy, supportive person in your life. This can provide encouragement, grounding and accountability.
Celebrate the Benefits of Writing: Recognize the benefits—creative expression, lowered anxiety, reduced depression, decreased loneliness, belonging and more. Acknowledging these benefits can motivate you to keep writing.
Embracing that you’re a writer is on par with embracing your humanness and writing is a mindful movement. The more you do it, the more you act as if you are a writer, the more of a habit it will become. As you practice, it will feel more natural to accept this basic, joyful part of who you are meant to be. In this way, we can free our writing lives from the grip of capitalism and embrace our basic worthiness on and off the page. You are a writer, and your stories matter.
In solidarity and with love,
Lisa
Thanks for bring a loving guide in remembering my inner writer. ✍️
I love this. Free the arts! ⛵️👌🌀