Writing and My Authentic Self

There is something not quite right with my writing. I can���t quite put my finger on what that ���something��� is, but it���s definitely problematic. I can tell you this much: I���ve never been completely satisfied with a single story that I���ve written.

I used to think it was simply a matter of a lack of self-confidence combined with low self-esteem but lately, I���ve been thinking that it might be something else entirely. It���s more like looking in the mirror and not quite recognizing the person looking back at me.

It���s not that I think that my writing is disingenuous. It just feels as if there is some important part of myself that I haven���t quite managed to pour into my work, which leaves me feeling as if there is something missing from what I���ve written. If that���s the case, I can���t quite figure out what it is that���s holding me back. Or I should say, I have yet to discover what it is.

That���s just one way of looking at things, though. On one hand, I really do want to pour more of myself into my work. On the other hand, I realize that trying too hard comes with its own set of problems. Balance is important, plus I fully realize that a general sense of dissatisfaction isn���t necessarily a bad thing for a writer. There���s nothing wrong with continually seeking to improve one���s self and one���s work. Something tells me, though, that it���s not just ���improvement��� that my work needs.

So, how do I find this indefinable thing that I lack?

For one thing, I think I���ll start journaling more. Presently, I have a private journal but I haven���t been writing in it. I really think that consistent journaling is a great way to get in touch with my authentic self. I tend to keep a lot bottled up inside, maybe some of that stuff belong on the page instead. Getting into the habit of ���stream of consciousness��� writing might be just the thing that eventually helps my authentic Self to shine through the page.

Maybe there are depths to my own psyche waiting to be plumbed. Maybe it���s high time I choose to walk some dark path on a journey of self-discovery. My work has always had some dark bent to it, come to think of it. Maybe it just hasn���t been dark or bizarre enough. Maybe it���s all been a bit too sane.

 

Feat. Img. Src.

The post Writing and My Authentic Self appeared first on TONYA R MOORE.