Writing Authentically

Writing with an authentic voice is one of the hardest things for writers to do. It means not varnishing the truth to make it more palatable for readers. It means speaking from the heart, not the mind, and getting to what really matters. It means giving it to readers raw and letting them choke, gag, chew and digest what you have to say with what mettle they have to ingest it. It means writing without fear of reprisal or judgement or failure. Writing with an authentic voice is writing in a way that moves readers deeply because the writing touches inner truths, those that no one else dares to give voice to. Authentic writing rings true to readers because its goal is not to impress or surprise or wow readers, but rather to touch them in a place they have not been touched before. Writing authentically requires absolute, intense focus on the message itself without regard to form or function or tradition. It requires plowing through the rough, ugly stuff and getting the story told in its purest form, unadorned. It requires presenting oneself naked to readers. It's the hardest thing for writers to do because we all fear judgment. We all fear being seen for who we really are. But if we don't take that plunge into the scary waters of our own truths and write from that center, we will never produce the kind of writing that resonates in any lasting way with readers. We have to risk it. If we care at all, we have to take that chance.