Voice

Cecil Murphey continues to speak to me in UNLEASH THE WRITER WITHIN.  The chapters I read today were discussing honoring one's voice and staying true to it. 

Murphey suggests, "each of us has a distinct tone and manner of speaking or writing."  He talks of an experiment he did with readers at a conference whereby he had attendees read paragraphs aloud and try to determine which he wrote.  All guessed correctly which affirmed the importance that, "your voice is your voice."  I found this an interesting experiment.  Do you think others would be able to find consistency in your writing when read aloud? To hear your voice in all of your work?  I'm not sure I am truly honoring my "voice" that consistently yet.

Murphey further suggests too many writers feel they need to imitate others rather than honoring their own voice.  I found myself thinking of this...as writers, we want to touch others, to speak to their hearts, make them want to keep reading our work and know our voice.  How does one do this? According to Murphey, it is by, "writing with your true voice...write with honesty, vulnerability, and with risk."  This can't be taught, he goes on to say.  We, as writers, must listen and work to hear our inner voice and then use it in our writing.  For, "the true voice is the heart of good writing.  It's more than techniques or the ability to write in more than one genre.  It's the ability to accept your voice as valuable and to use it." 

I believe finding one's voice as valuable is crucial to this equation.  It is in finding value and taking the risk to share that value with others that allows us to celebrate our voice and let it speak to other's in our writing.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas on honoring one's voice if you are inclined to share!

Thoughts on Writing

Long ago, I started reading Cecil Murphey's UNLEASH THE WRITER WITHIN but haven't gotten back to it in some time.  I picked it up this morning to read a few chapters while I sat in the massage chair and found several worthy tidbits to share. 

I find I identify with Mr. Murphey's writing style easily and much of his wisdom speaks to my heart.  His conversational tone and commonsense approach are quite relatable.  In what I read this morning, there were many words of wisdom.  For example...

"It's much easier to edit a page of writing than it is to edit a blank screen."  He encourages the reader to write first from the heart ("creatively") and "second from the head" so the writer can "edit analytically" thereafter.  Well, that seems commonsense though can be quite difficult for some.  I read all the time of writers who find it easier to edit as they go.  I cannot.  It is much easier for me to write first (though it is typically a blank pad of paper rather than screen) and then go back to edit and re-write.  How about you?

Murphey talks about being true to oneself and unafraid in one's chosen risks in writing honestly, simply and transparent.  He says, "I would rather be disliked for who I am than to be admired for who I'm not."  I found this so true as I think many of us, as writers, face those fears of "Is it good enough? Will others want to read it? What if I can't find a home for it? Is it too honest? Too bold? Too this? Too that?"  One can't hide from feelings but needs to write from the heart to really make a reader feel something and want to continue reading. 

Murphey also discusses the fact that writers, write.  Always, without waiting for inspiration.  While inspiration is welcome, one cannot depend on it as, "to write only when you're inspired devalues the craft and defies your need to learn and improve."  He talks about the feeling that we, as writers, shouldn't feel we are unable to write without inspiration or some outside force.  We need to rely on our skill and abilities, our effort and fortitude as writers for, "if you work at your craft and write regularly, you develop whatever talent you have.  The more you use what you have, the greater your improvement." 

This is so true of all things.  Take a professional or Olympic athlete, for example.  He/she doesn't wait to "feel like" training; he/she just does so.  It is part of who she is, part of what defines her.  Thus, we write...because that is who we are and what defines us. 

Inner Critic

This morning, I was reading a chapter of UNLEASH THE WRITER WITHIN: THE ESSENTIAL WRITERS' COMPANION by Cecil Murphey.  It was a chapter about whether one should listen to or silence the critic within.  Murphey talks about his reasons and experiences with both listening and shushing his inner critic and, in the end, decides, "my inner critic can be my friend, so I honor and trust that voice."

Lately, my inner critic needs to virtually scream in my ear as I seem to be doing a remarkable job tuning her out in the day-to-day chaos of life.  Or, perhaps, she is working very silently and effectively and this is why I've allowed the daily details to reign supreme and take precedence over my writing as of late.

Either way, it is time to get back on track.  I do believe my inner critic can be helpful in terms of spurring me into action (when I so allow) and nudging me toward what works and doesn't work in a given WIP; however, I also allow her to plant the seed of fear...fear something isn't good enough, won't find a home, isn't worth the time spent away from family and the daily grind...all of which makes it easier to not write and submit.  For, if nothing is completed, nothing can be submitted and, thereby, nothing can be rejected.  But, it is only in taking the risks that one can reap the rewards, so persevere I will.  I hope you will too!

If you have thoughts or methods that work for you in silencing or embracing your inner critic, I'd love to hear them if you are willing to share.

Your True Self

I recently started reading Cecil Murphey's book, UNLEASH THE WRITER WITHIN. I'm not very far into it but wanted to share a few wise words. Mr. Murphey focuses not only on improving writing in this book but on figuring out who we are and not forgetting our true self in the writing process.

He says, "I write to find out who I am...I write because it is a gift." He further suggests, "your most honest writing becomes your best writing."

It was in reading his words, albeit not very many thus far, that I realized I've lost sight of the true reason I started writing in the first place. It was the sheer love of writing and the urge to create a sense of desire to read and a love of books in children that drove me to my first ICL course.

In the recent past, it has become more of a chore to balance all that goes into it...maintaining a presence to generate interest and increase publication chances, marketing, reading job boards, creating resumes, etc. All of these things are a necessary evil in a writer's life; however, I am now going to try to separate out just the writing in terms of how I look at it all. I will write from the heart honestly and, in the process, figure out who I am as a writer and the rest, hopefully, will fall into place.

I look forward to finishing this book and "unleashing the writer within." Please share your means of creating your most authentic voice.