Writing raw and unadorned

We begin our journey as writers with these tremendous God given emotions that for the writing artist must be unleashed somewhere. For the sensitive young soul this is usually in the cherished journal or diary.  I am sure that many have experienced the true humiliation when the secrets were exposed by someone sharing a diary entry with the entire neighborhood. Ah a new powerful emotion erupts: shame. It feels as though everyone realized that you desired that first kiss from the boy across the street. The natural first tender touch of lust needs to be most definitely hidden--shame resonates with a low and damaging energy.

Alas, these emotions both shame and desire are what spur the writer's pen. And like the tortured Greek heroes, a true writer hasn't the choice--the gods truth must be scribed: or what makes one suffer can never be reckon with. So despite the risk of shame, truth finds its way to the page. But the young girl or lad is still vulnerable from shame's first slap. And even the mature writer learns to hide better and question his or her new more powerful lusts, desires, and pain. Cover them sweetly away and pray.

To paraphrase Brenda Ueland, we worry what will upset our close friends and family members. To write the truth of how deeply we can be hurt by our loved ones is not a love poem in disguise-- it is the truth. And we are discovered, once again, by having that journal or diary scrutinized by husband, wife, lover, or friend; we question the purpose of this life as writer. But as Brenda would encourage--the only great writing is the truth--unadorned and raw. The only true question is do you have the courage to write greatly and tell your tale with  bravado.