“… words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within.”
Tennyson
I write in the nude — emotionally, that is — without posturing or censorship. It’s not always easy, nor should it be; the very difficulty of the task makes the accomplishment sweeter, and the struggle often unearths new material for future writing.
Writing in the nude, or, writing from that most honest, uncensored place will activate such a place in the reader. That’s always the aim, and the hope. Writing is about connecting, after all; even in their isolation and solitude, writers are busy peopling worlds. Alone inside wherever we write, our words and pages build bridges and connections; we always write for an audience, even if that audience is only ourselves.
I used to be the girl writing furiously, my arm protectively hiding the page. Now I am the adult writing thoughtfully, with a better understanding of the emotional impact and heady potential words have to change not only the reader, but the writer, herself.
It’s a powerful magic, a necessary magic, and the world can always use more magic. Yesterday, a friend asked me, “If you found out you were going to die a minute from now, what would you say?”
I didn’t even have to think about it. I’d say “thank you”. Thank you for all the magic, and for the words to express the magic. Thank you for the secret thoughts and for the connecting bridges.
And, wherever I ended up next, I’d be searching for a pen and paper to start all over again. Who knew words, so plentiful and free, could defy time, physicality and even death? The writer. The writer has always known.
Lefty In My Write Mind 
Yes, writing honestly and openly is the most interesting for others and the most helpful for ourselves…. good luck with your blog which I hope gives you plenty of chances to learn about yourself!
Thanks for the luck, Lirone!
Hopefully I’ll never stop learning, and then I’ll never run out of things to write. Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual, but at least the world has its poets and writers. I think, in a way, they write those pages.
Emily Murdoch
You took the words right out of my mind—before I even thought them! Thanks for expressing so eloquently what many of us feel!
Lovely and encouraging. I have just started writing again after a long sabatical from it. I’m very dark at the moment but as the words flow onto the page each one refreshes me a little bit. Funny how for some, writing epresses so many things they are challenged to do otherwise.
Thank you, Nesto, and thank you for reading.
How wonderful that you are writing again! If a writing group could help you, whether for camaraderie or encouragement, do check out AbsoluteWrite.com
It’s a wonderful group of writers at all stages of the process, from just beginning to published. Everything you need to know, whether creative or business-wise, it’s there, from the act of writing to writing the (dreaded, ugh) query letters.
Em
Thank you, Becky!
This is my first public writing endeavor, so, huge thank yous to YOU for your kind comments and for reading. : )
Em
That’s right, Em, I had forgotten you had been a secret writer. This blog business is wonderful. I have always loved your writing, since, how long has it been? Years and years. Now everyone can find it if they want.
Awwww, thank you. But I do have to say that my writing improved over the years with your expert input and eye. Thank you for your generous help and for believing in my writing. It has been years, hasn’t it. Time just flies. : )
Em