Write Naked
The act of writing
bears something in common
with the act of love.
The writer,
at this most productive moment,
just flows.
He gives of that which is uniquely himself,
he makes himself naked.
Recording his nakedness in the written word.
Herein lies some of the terror
which frequently
freezes a writer.
Sidney M. Jourard
I found this quote and really loved it, because it describes so beautifully that which paralyzes so many of us during our writing journeys—that naked fear of not being good enough, of not being as good a writer as Writer X, Writer Y, Writer Z, blah blah blah.
Unless you’re utterly narcissistic, there’s no harsher critic than you of your own work. But you have to let go of the fear of failure (or quite possibly, the fear of success, which is another topic for another day).
Write because you love it, because it’s burning inside you to be free. Write because you were born to do this, because if you don’t you’ll explode.
Write because its who you are.
And write naked. Let everyone see the true writer in you.
November 27th, 2007 at 3:16 am
This is a great extract too. And my reaction to it is much the same as to yesterday’s quote. I’m forever fearful of not being a good enough writer, and of failing… but if I relax and just write the story that comes into my head, in the most natural way possible, it always seems to turn out better. And I enjoy the process!
November 27th, 2007 at 3:47 am
Does it count if I write in a bathrobe? ‘Cause really, it’s winter and keeping my house warm enough for nekkidness would break my budget. (;
We passed 60 000 words today. The thought that I will soon have to begin editing this monstrosity makes me rather nervous and reaching for the Derby Pie. Only the comfort of starting on the next one calms my nerves.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:20 am
The title alone brought some images to my mind… yikes!
November 27th, 2007 at 11:45 am
It’s too darn cold to write naked and I sit at a window by the main stairs! *snicker*
The neighbors will talk!
Oh. Wait. They already do that.
And trust me… today… they talked. “That woman at #21 is baking cookies, I saw the tray cooling outside.” Yep, I have been driving the neighborhood insane with smells of baking cookies - instead of writing. Naked or otherwise!
(Recipe is on my blog if anyone wants to know how to make Butter-S’s :))
Anyway!
I know what you mean but….
“Write because you love it, because it’s burning inside you to be free. Write because you were born to do this, because if you don’t you’ll explode.”
Uh… that IS my reason… I’m glad others feel that way too.
Does that mean I’m nekkid??
November 27th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Silke - sounds good to me.
So do the cookies.