Confessional poets and memoirsts and autobiographical novelists have spilled their guts for a long time...but artfully, in a way that it's so personal that paradoxically it is universal. I've always looked to literature for this sense of how humans get through this life and then write about it in such a powerful way.
I was discussing a personal happening in my life with one of my sons. It is a defining thing in my life and we were talking about how much of it should or could show up in my writing. His advice was, “it doesn’t have to all come out at once; you can disclose it over time.” I appreciated his wisdom and it matches up with what you are saying.
Enjoyed your article. Sometimes we do doubt ourselves on what we should write and whether we are being too personal. But keeping it real to readers helps, because it makes us more relatable. Your article did that that , I could relate to everything you wrote. Most of my writing comes from life experience, loss, letting things in my head out and being comfortable with that. Loved the story about you and your Mum in Rome too.
There is an artform to how to share things I think. Sometimes they can be so deeply personal but so poetically written that it often isn't the content but the feeling it leaves us with that resonates. I like to give snippets through imagery and metaphor, only because sometimes I feel life is so absurd that it can only be written about through absurdity!
It’s what makes so many of your posts so interesting & engaging Michael. I’m working on sharing more, but it definitely comes with a level of discomfort!
My line is oversharing anything that would embarrass my kids, or even naming them.
Plus, some of my childhood drama leaks into my essays by accident, so people who follow me for years will have plenty of breadcrumbs without me writing a full confessional or making my pieces feel like a public therapy session. 🤣
Hmm - I have a problem sometimes just sharing photos of what I eat - lol. I just don't really get how people can be that interested. And I'm sure they're not.
But certainly revealing more about me/you is fine - it's like the 'getting to know you' phase when you make a new friend.
Mind you there are so many people I meet that tell me from the off about their 'female problems'/their health problems/the issue they had a school! That just isn't me and honestly, I'm not interested in that either.
So it's a bit like you - somewhere in the middle, and I def use humour 😁
Great thoughts; it sort of spills over into sharing what you stand for. You either stand for something that you have as your platform of what you define as worth sharing, knowing that it can be met with stern adversarial rebuff, or you can dance with popularity and moderation to gain an audience.
Jo - just read your article…can I say I think it’s amazing and is something I’ll bookmark and repeat read. It’s made me think about the passing of my own mum to dementia
You don’t or shouldn’t have to it’s a personal choice and if it fits. For example your 50+ Nomad blog has a very specific brand that doesn’t necessarily need you disclose the personal, intimate stuff. Where as so far mine is to give the blunt brutal truth where I can as I believe in transparency with mental health as it’s been treated like a dirty little secret for to many years and I have a mission to change that. But even so as frank and open as I am there is still stuff I hold back. For now at least.
Yes definitely Sean. There are some niches, like yours, that will require a deeper dig into the personal, in order to help your audience. Much respect to you for tackling this challenging but very necessary topic. 🙏
Confessional poets and memoirsts and autobiographical novelists have spilled their guts for a long time...but artfully, in a way that it's so personal that paradoxically it is universal. I've always looked to literature for this sense of how humans get through this life and then write about it in such a powerful way.
Great point Kate. Definitely great writers know how to turn it into an art form.
I was discussing a personal happening in my life with one of my sons. It is a defining thing in my life and we were talking about how much of it should or could show up in my writing. His advice was, “it doesn’t have to all come out at once; you can disclose it over time.” I appreciated his wisdom and it matches up with what you are saying.
Isn’t it wonderful to share & get advice from our children. I have a similar relationship with my daughter. ❤️
Very wonderful. I love to just sit back and listen to my adult children when they get together. It’s always interesting.
Enjoyed your article. Sometimes we do doubt ourselves on what we should write and whether we are being too personal. But keeping it real to readers helps, because it makes us more relatable. Your article did that that , I could relate to everything you wrote. Most of my writing comes from life experience, loss, letting things in my head out and being comfortable with that. Loved the story about you and your Mum in Rome too.
Thanks Catherine! ❤️
There is an artform to how to share things I think. Sometimes they can be so deeply personal but so poetically written that it often isn't the content but the feeling it leaves us with that resonates. I like to give snippets through imagery and metaphor, only because sometimes I feel life is so absurd that it can only be written about through absurdity!
I'm probably an over sharer but it's who I am!
It’s what makes so many of your posts so interesting & engaging Michael. I’m working on sharing more, but it definitely comes with a level of discomfort!
I absolutely agree, Jo!
My line is oversharing anything that would embarrass my kids, or even naming them.
Plus, some of my childhood drama leaks into my essays by accident, so people who follow me for years will have plenty of breadcrumbs without me writing a full confessional or making my pieces feel like a public therapy session. 🤣
Hmm - I have a problem sometimes just sharing photos of what I eat - lol. I just don't really get how people can be that interested. And I'm sure they're not.
But certainly revealing more about me/you is fine - it's like the 'getting to know you' phase when you make a new friend.
Mind you there are so many people I meet that tell me from the off about their 'female problems'/their health problems/the issue they had a school! That just isn't me and honestly, I'm not interested in that either.
So it's a bit like you - somewhere in the middle, and I def use humour 😁
Great thoughts; it sort of spills over into sharing what you stand for. You either stand for something that you have as your platform of what you define as worth sharing, knowing that it can be met with stern adversarial rebuff, or you can dance with popularity and moderation to gain an audience.
"Share the scar, not the wound"
There's a whole category of things I'm living through right now that aren't ready to be written yet.
Yep, I love that saying. 😁
Jo - just read your article…can I say I think it’s amazing and is something I’ll bookmark and repeat read. It’s made me think about the passing of my own mum to dementia
That’s ok - you’ve inspired me to write something about the surreal conversations we had, which were quite comical at times
Thanks Andrew. Sorry to hear about your Mum ❤️
Nice read again Jo and I agree with you I
You don’t or shouldn’t have to it’s a personal choice and if it fits. For example your 50+ Nomad blog has a very specific brand that doesn’t necessarily need you disclose the personal, intimate stuff. Where as so far mine is to give the blunt brutal truth where I can as I believe in transparency with mental health as it’s been treated like a dirty little secret for to many years and I have a mission to change that. But even so as frank and open as I am there is still stuff I hold back. For now at least.
Yes definitely Sean. There are some niches, like yours, that will require a deeper dig into the personal, in order to help your audience. Much respect to you for tackling this challenging but very necessary topic. 🙏
Great reminder!!! Will practice these. I totally get it. We are here to inspire, instead of grief maxing