Imprinting: Writing Reflections

Photo by Foster.

Often when I write, I later realize just how real, transparent and vulnerable I become in the words I pen. I set out to always share my truth and the truth of the world I'm experiencing in the things that I write. I'm a writer who writes best when I have something of value to say. Sometimes what I say is simple and short, yet profound and meaningful to me. Other times, the expression comes in lengthy waves and ripples of paragraphs and punctuation marks until all that needs to be said is completely and finally said.

I think you should write when you have something to say. If you don't, be quiet and wait for inspiration and creativity or passion and challenge to come. All four of these often motivate me to pen new words and share ideas. Sometimes the best writing comes as a result of seasons of silence, reflecting, observing and experiencing the world around you. I believe the best writers are those who are skillful observers. To observe and see the world you are in, take in its tastes, sounds, colors, feelings, emotions and translate that to the written word in a form that is not only readable but digest-worthy is a gift.

I can't tell my story or your story if I first don't remain still enough to see that story, feel that story, experience that story. I also believe some of the best writers are attentive and active listeners. Again, it's the beauty of taking the time to be in the moment before you go and create a moment. Being in the moment means I'm giving respect and pause to what's happening around me now so that later I can give more respect to telling the story of that moment and expressing the feelings and lessons learned in that moment in the story my words will weave.

Writing is a gift. And it's a huge responsibility. I write to be real, relevant and reveal. I don't think I can ever write and not tell the truth: my truth, God's truth, the truth of life, the truth of love, the truth of pain, the truth of sin, the truth of loss, the truth of breathing, existing, being, doing, living. I believe in giving me the gift to write God also gave me the gift to tell the truth, in what I write. I've been told by several friends that when they ready my writings they experience my transparency and vulnerability in ways that affect them and change them.

If my truth-telling inspires someone else to tell their truth what an incredible gift in the gift. Sometimes I wonder how telling my truth can affect those whose truth and experiences are also connected and woven into mine, for example family stories, friendship experiences, and the like. I believe in those moments the writer has the great responsibility to still tell truth but tell it in a way that your truth is what you own, protect and communicate. How the truth and experiences of others is woven into your story, you need to express how those things affected you and are shaping you and your experiences even now, but you're not to be the truth-teller of their truth. You can only communicate how your truth has been affected by your experience of their truth. And prayerfully, they will see that and no bridges burned. The power of the written and spoken word is lasting. Use both wisely and be tactful.

These thoughts above came to me after spending some quiet time alone with God this morning and just getting it in with him and wanting to hear what's on his heart. I'm finding more often that from times of intimacy and personal time with him, I'm inspired to create even more. That's beautiful and meaningful to me at the same time. Who better to receive inspiration from or be inspired to create than from the One who gave me the gift to begin with.

Yesterday, after some quiet moments with God, I gave life to two new poems, Hidden and One Day. Both are beautiful, one I'll post on this blog; the other is a bit more personal and may or may not make its way here. We'll see. I have thoughts like these writing reflections often. I will be more intentional to put them down so I can share them with other writers and those seeking to learn how to express themselves through the written form. I pray my reflections today will be a catalyst for someone else's writing tomorrow.

More Imprinting thoughts to come as future blog posts on writing, what writing is to me and writing tips that inspire me to create even more vividly and truthfully come about.

Writing still to be real. ~ m