Sounds like someone needs to write “The Art of Sharing”? The kids like to bring home one-liners from school and “Sharing is caring” could apply here too. Caring meaning you care enough about what you’ve written to share it--and you care enough about the recipient to want them to receive it.
Writers need to think of themselves as a brand now more than ever. Your quote "Art is fundamentally an act of exposure" echoes my belief that art needs a recipient. Without a recipient (one), art doesn't exist.
Yes! I see this sharing thing as maybe also a generational thing. In my generation (oh, that sounds old!) we didn't share. "What would people think," were words that governed our behavior. It's difficult, and probably always will be, to share my personal essay work, because it is . . .personal. I'll always have that moment of "what will they think" before I hit "share," but then let it go as I value its importance.
I agree. I think sharing has many generational components. Since I grew up with pen and paper and typwriters ... and no Google Docs or social media ... the world was structured for not sharing. Now it's structured for maximal sharing, so the structure of the world changes the culture of the world. I certainly always pause before sharing, but maybe that's a good thing.
Love this. Thank you. Eloquent truth about the journey we're on and our desire to make meaningful connection. The last sentence is so spot on. Thrilled you quoted Brene. She has taught me about things I didn't know that I didn't know, and Brene's research is the foundation of my April series on Growing Emotional Intelligence. My upcoming offering I'm writing is on Shame, Guilt, and Self-compassion. Perfect timing. We can only hope that by sharing our experiences, other writers will understand, moving through these emotions is part of the process and comes with their own personal rewards.
"I suppose somewhere within myself I believed my stories weren’t good enough—or feared that others’ reactions would prove they weren’t good enough. Perhaps I worried about being exposed as a creative charlatan, a dilettante, a fool." -- Uhm yeah, guilty as charged. Anyone else, and can we please start a self-help group for this? :-)
Really enjoyed this - do you ever feel ‘embarrassed’ by your writing? Is that intertwined with shame? Do you press publish anyway. (Very much agree on exposure but this often gets misconstrued as narcissism when I think it’s more a very human impulse to share and connect, to be heard, seen).
Oh, I definitely fear the possibility of embarrassment. I'm somewhat inured to the feeling since I've published a bit, but it's always there lurking in the background.
Really enjoyed this - do you ever feel ‘embarrassed’ by your writing? Is that intertwined with shame? Do you press publish anyway. (Very much agree on exposure but this often gets misconstrued as narcissism when I think it’s more a very human impulse to share and connect, to be heard, seen).
Wow, loved this! Thank you for the kind mention Grant!
I loved your piece! Thinking about sharing as a craft is a wonderful concept.
Meant to add that Grant Faulkner is how I heard about your post. Thanks both of you!
Sounds like someone needs to write “The Art of Sharing”? The kids like to bring home one-liners from school and “Sharing is caring” could apply here too. Caring meaning you care enough about what you’ve written to share it--and you care enough about the recipient to want them to receive it.
I love this, Andrew. That's what it comes down to: "Sharing is caring. And caring is sharing."
Writers need to think of themselves as a brand now more than ever. Your quote "Art is fundamentally an act of exposure" echoes my belief that art needs a recipient. Without a recipient (one), art doesn't exist.
Thanks so much, Alexander! Great thought re: the recipient.
Yes! I see this sharing thing as maybe also a generational thing. In my generation (oh, that sounds old!) we didn't share. "What would people think," were words that governed our behavior. It's difficult, and probably always will be, to share my personal essay work, because it is . . .personal. I'll always have that moment of "what will they think" before I hit "share," but then let it go as I value its importance.
I agree. I think sharing has many generational components. Since I grew up with pen and paper and typwriters ... and no Google Docs or social media ... the world was structured for not sharing. Now it's structured for maximal sharing, so the structure of the world changes the culture of the world. I certainly always pause before sharing, but maybe that's a good thing.
Love this. Thank you. Eloquent truth about the journey we're on and our desire to make meaningful connection. The last sentence is so spot on. Thrilled you quoted Brene. She has taught me about things I didn't know that I didn't know, and Brene's research is the foundation of my April series on Growing Emotional Intelligence. My upcoming offering I'm writing is on Shame, Guilt, and Self-compassion. Perfect timing. We can only hope that by sharing our experiences, other writers will understand, moving through these emotions is part of the process and comes with their own personal rewards.
Perfectly said, Bonnie. Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful words!
Great article! I so agree that art is an act of exposure. Your thoughts on sharing a story with one person resonate. Love the Basquiat photo!
"I suppose somewhere within myself I believed my stories weren’t good enough—or feared that others’ reactions would prove they weren’t good enough. Perhaps I worried about being exposed as a creative charlatan, a dilettante, a fool." -- Uhm yeah, guilty as charged. Anyone else, and can we please start a self-help group for this? :-)
A group cheering section might be a good thing. Seriously. I've heard of writers forming "rejection collectives" that serve similar purposes.
Really enjoyed this - do you ever feel ‘embarrassed’ by your writing? Is that intertwined with shame? Do you press publish anyway. (Very much agree on exposure but this often gets misconstrued as narcissism when I think it’s more a very human impulse to share and connect, to be heard, seen).
Oh, I definitely fear the possibility of embarrassment. I'm somewhat inured to the feeling since I've published a bit, but it's always there lurking in the background.
Really enjoyed this - do you ever feel ‘embarrassed’ by your writing? Is that intertwined with shame? Do you press publish anyway. (Very much agree on exposure but this often gets misconstrued as narcissism when I think it’s more a very human impulse to share and connect, to be heard, seen).