Have you ever had one of those dreams where you found yourself in a public place naked and exposed?
You didn’t deliberately take your clothes off, but somehow there you were in the middle of a busy place, where people were coming and going and you were minus one important article of clothing?
Do you remember how you felt? Most likely, you felt totally vulnerable.
Brene Brown says vulnerability is about showing up and being seen. It’s tough to do that when we’re terrified about what people might see or think.
Being human includes being vulnerable. No matter how hard you try to outsmart vulnerability you will often be faced with it and either run from it or make the choice to grow from the discomfort of it.
One of the smartest places to be vulnerable is in your writing. Being courageous enough to share your feelings and life experiences from your heart will support your audience much more than you realize.
As a leading actress in one of my first plays, my character was a beautiful Irish woman by the name of Cass McGuire. I had not only perfected an authentic Irish accent, but I also was in a scene where I performed a soliloquy, the act of discourse of talking to yourself.
It was an emotional scene that required the delivery of deep sadness in the character I was portraying. The director told me how important it was to prepare myself to be the tormented young woman where I ultimately broke down in tears.
The scene was intense and in order for it to work, it had to feel real. The ultimate goal? I had to portray complete, and authentic vulnerability.
Great writing requires that same vulnerability if you want your audience to connect to your content.
Become your characters that you write about. Find your writing voice by writing from your heart. Be willing to share your mistakes, and tell the truth.
Writing is both wonderful and challenging. Touch the hearts of your readers and be willing to take chances. Here are some thoughts to consider to improve the quality of your writing.
Is your self –esteem impacting your writing? Think about what is affecting your self- esteem.
Avoid negative self-talk and connect with people who love you.
Learn to be assertive. Set yourself a challenge and be brave enough to follow through with the challenge in your writing.
Learn how to write and begin by developing the correct writing habits.
Set a timer for 30 minutes, turn off the phone and email bells, and do the work of writing while being fully present.
Book time in your calendar for writing at the same time daily, or write at least 3 times a week.
Be accountable. Publish weekly content.
Engage your readers with mini-stories throughout your writing.
Brene Brown speaks clearly about the meaning of vulnerability.
She says, waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can’t ensure, who may stay in our lives, or may leave without a moment’s notice, who may be loyal to the day they die or betray us tomorrow- that’s vulnerability.
Write something that matters and experience the excitement your audience will feel.
Being real and being open to what you write can create magic.
Ready to make a lasting impression? Try being vulnerable in your writing this week. It may feel awkward at first. With practice, expressing your feelings will become second nature.
Comment below and let me know how you are doing, or send a private email to me at lorna@lornamccarty.com.