Be a Writer Who Dares to Write with Honesty

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

“Writing has made me more honest.”
My statement surprised me, even as it rang true.
I was out on an impromptu date with my husband, Rob. The conversation had turned to my writing life—the ups, the downs, and the constant choice to trust God with this hard work of living my dream. 
And somewhere, in the midst of it all, came this moment of clarity: the reality that choosing to be a writer demands I live an honest life.We writers talk about learning our craft. If we’re novelists, we attend conferences and take workshops on dialogue and setting and characterization. Whatever side of the writing road we walk along, we study the rules so we can break ‘em. We search for our voice until we recognize the sound of it in every word, sentence, paragraph, and chapter. 
Doing all of this makes us better writers. Possibly even award-winning writers. (Awards are fun, y’all!)
But what gets me every time is when another writer dares to put from-their-heart-honest words on the page. That kind of writing makes me stop and think, “I want to write like that.”
Sometimes what I’m reading is as simple as a Facebook or Instagram post. But it’s not a social media post masquerading as Mary Poppins, where a person’s life – past, present, future – is practically perfect in every way. 
And then there are the times I read a nonfiction book, and the writer dares to be candid about their struggles. Or I read a novel, and the author’s imaginary characters are living real life on the page. I’ve struggled with that pain, cried those tears, regretted those choices.  
And then … then there are the times I choose to write like that. I decide I write honest.
Yes, it would be easier to hide behind my words. But story is an opportunity to connect with our readers. And if we’re going to connect, why not risk enough to connect in a genuine way?
Is it scary to write honest? Yes. There have been times I’ve written a scene that’s a direct reflection of my heart – pulled from my life – and I’ve second guessed myself. Wondered if it’s too honest. Too much. Times when I’ve pushed away from the computer to cry. To pray. And come back to write.
But it’s a choice of either living out loud as a writer … or whispering. And the writing life should never, ever be about whispering.
And so, I ask you: What choice are you making with your words? Are your written words whispers? Are you living out loud and writing honest?
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Award-winning author Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” Having authored nine contemporary romance novels and novellas, Beth's first women's fiction novel with Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, released May 2018. Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters Series, releases May 2019. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Rocket and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. Visit Beth at bethvogt.com.