Do You Dare to Share?
It has been quite a while since we’ve had a submission to the Insecure Writers Support Group. As Wednesdays are the scheduled days for my blog post, I thought I would talk about insecurities that plague all creatives.
I’m not sure that it matters what you do whether it is writing, art in its many forms, music, photography, crafting or any of the other myriad of ways people express themselves, everyone arrives at the same point. What to do with your work? I know I am at this spot and I am certain that I am not the only one.
Some people are content with the creation process. They can spend hours creating and making something out of nothing, without further thought to what to do with their items. If you visit their homes, especially those in the crafting areas, to find their walls covered with the displays of their work and it is beautiful. The value is in the work and how it makes them feel; it is a good thing. If music is their thing, they appear to be content to make it for themselves and their families.
I am not one of those people.
Other people are able to create their work and find ways to market it. Regardless if they stay true to the creative process (this is where we create to popular demand or not) their main goal is to have their work be seen and judged, by the public. They are relentless in their pursuit of that elusive “success”.
I am not one of these people either. Apparently, I fall somewhere in between.
Creativity is a process, a soul bearing process, that can be difficult to send out into the universe. I also believe that the things we create can contribute greatly to the human experience. If we dare to share.
This daring to share comes with great risk to both our souls and our creativity. It is, for me, one of the scariest things when I hand someone something that I have poured myself into only to have to listen to their opinion and judgment about that item. The first time I presented my work at my writing group asking for critique, I spent a few days in recovery, not that the critique was a problem and people weren’t polite. No, in fact, they were incredibly helpful. My soul simply was battered and needed to be soothed.
Regardless of where each of stands with our work, we risk something when we take some type of raw material and use it to make something without knowing where the end result will be. This is creativity.
Only you can decide whether that risk is worth it.
16 Comments
Mom
Your creativity amazes me! Don’t let ANYONE take that from you!
AC Hoekwater
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joylene
That’s the difference between writing novels and blogging. I can hide behind my fictional characters, but with blogging, it feels as if I’ve stuck my heart out for everyone to stump on. LOL. Okay, maybe see if a better word. It is scary. Thank god for IWSG.
AC Hoekwater
Absolutely! It took a long time for me to be okay with pushing the post button. Even today it still causes anxiety though not as much
Tonja Drecker
Blogging has melted down my wall over the years. The IWSG has a lot to do with that as well as all of the wonderful people on here. Keep that creativity flowing!
AC Hoekwater
It is a matter of the more you write and post, the less anxiety you have about sharing your work! Absolutely! Thanks for stopping by.
Madeline Mora-Summonte
Some things, like journal entries, I write just for myself. Other things, like stories, I try to share with the world. The stories I deem good enough, that is. 🙂
AC Hoekwater
And, the struggle of worthiness can be difficult too!
Far Away Eyes
Sharing has been a problem for me. I have three finished novels that have yet to see the light of day, This year I have decided that my skin is finally thick enough and I have been submitting my work for critique and hopefully publishing. I’ve entered numerous contests and am currently working on a piece that I’m submitting for and will hopefully be accepted into an anthology. It’s hard to share your blood, sweat, and tears as cliche as that sounds.
AC Hoekwater
I completely understand the blood, sweat and tears of sending your work out. I am still working on not taking things personally. Thanks for sharing.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
I definitely fall somewhere in between since I never even set out to be an author. One book maybe, but four?
It’s hard to share knowing some won’t like it. Guess that just comes with all creative endeavors.
AC Hoekwater
It is difficult not to take rejection personally. My hope is that there will be more that love my work than those who don’t like it.
Louise (Fundy Blue)
Hi, AC! It is really hard to put yourself out there. Writing is definitely soul-baring. Blogging has really helped me. It’s always hard to have your work critiqued, and rejection is even harder. I don’t know if I’ll ever not take things personally, but I’m working on it. Happy writing in February!
AC Hoekwater
Good luck with the not taking things personally. I know I’m still working on it. Thanks for visiting.
Stephanie Faris
Just do it! Seriously, though, when you look at the bigger picture, writing in itself is a reward. It doesn’t have to be shared to bring us joy. That’s a completely separate type of joy…and if someone doesn’t feel positive about it, they can still get enjoyment out of just writing for themselves.
AC Hoekwater
Absolutely! For those that want to go to the next step, the struggle is real but worth it. Thanks for stopping by.