October 10, 2015

How I Stopped Being Embarrassed To Say I'm A Writer


Want to know the whole truth?

I didn't.

I didn't stop being embarrassed to say I'm a writer.

What I decided to do was to stop caring that I felt embarrassed.

It's almost the same thing.

I don't know what it is exactly but every embarrassment is somehow bred in fear and I fight the constant struggle of 'what do people think of me' and, because non-writer's will never understand the workings of a writer's mind, I feel the 'foolish girl' judgement from the eyes of corporate strangers.

"So what do you do?"

"I'm a writer."

"Oh, that's adorable...but what do you really do?"

Non-writer's don't understand. And that's okay. I don't understand them either.

What I've learned is that understanding isn't the end goal - acceptance is. All I'm looking for is an 'atta-girl' and the space to be the me I'm designed to be. It took first accepting it in myself before I was ever able to choke out the words aloud.

Finding a community has done amazing things for the walls I erected to hide my real passion. By putting myself in the midst of other people Just Like Me, I was able to recognize the worth in what I wanted. 

Writing isn't a lonely dream; in some ways, it's entirely universal. Realizing that is incredibly empowering.

 

How To Come Out Of The Writer Closet


1. Start a blog.
To whoever started the rumour that blogging isn't real writing: how dare you! I blog therefore I write. The end.

A blog is a powerful tool for a writer - we'll dive deeper into this tomorrow - but to put it simply, a blog is a wonderful experiment in finding your voice, being brave, and building a writing platform and a faithful readership {that will cheer for you when you're ready to tackle scary things like publication}.

2. Attend a writer's conference. I was terrified my first time. It's intimidating. I felt like a child. I felt dwarfed by real writer's who were really doing it BUT it was by being in their presence and hearing them tell me that I was a real writer who was really doing it that I decided to own who I was and work towards being proud of it. 

3. Do it in public.
Yes, much of writing is done in the privacy of your own special space but take a risk and go write in public - you never know the fire that can be lit under you when you know others are watching until you put yourself out there and try it. {Go read my How To Coffee Shop Write Like A Boss article for awesome tips on doing this well.}

4. Place it like a seal upon your heart.
Own it. Explore the 'why' so you always have a stone to throw at excuses. Put it in your public profiles. Identify yourself with your true identity. Live your passions boldly and loudly. Feel foolish when you change your facebook fan page from SelfBinding Retrospect to Alanna Rusnak - Author/Blogger but do it because you are more than your blog - you are a writer and you're okay if everyone knows it.

5. Keep the closet unlocked.
You still need it sometimes. There will be days when you think everything you're putting down is garbage and you will never never never write a word worth reading again. Curl up in your closet. Breathe. Count to ten. Then crack the door and try again.


"So what do you do?"

"I'm a writer."

"Why?"

"Because I need to be. And because I want to be."


http://selfbindingretrospect.alannarusnak.com/2015/09/challenge-accepted-write-31-days.html {click the image above to see all the #write31days posts}
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6 comments:

  1. Love it. You need to add musician to the list too. Your mad piano skills today took it all to a whole other level and I didn't get a chance to say that in person.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw thanks! I really enjoyed playing with you guys!

      Delete
  2. Changing the way you look at things - embarrassments, fears, goals, tasks - is often the biggest hurdle to overcoming and accomplishing.

    ReplyDelete

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