Monday, February 9, 2015

Don't Let Your Best Writing Lie Buried Within






These words came from the mind of a young teen who had a level of maturity that many older people never reach. That she realized things of such depth at a tender age is a wonder to me.

I think that many older writers--by that, I mean anyone not in their teens--are not completely sure why they want to write. Anne Frank knew.

When my daughter was 13, she went to Europe with her best friend's family for several weeks. It was a golden opportunity for her. When she came home, she chattered on and on about the places they'd been and the things she'd seen. Over and over, she mentioned visiting the attic home of Anne Frank, the place in which Anne and her family hid from the Nazi's during a portion of WWII. Of all the sights Karen had seen, this left the deepest impression.

A year later, Karen's English class read The Diary of Anne Frank where she learned even more about this young captive girl so close to her own age. Anyone reading this book would find Anne was mature beyond her years. So many insightful things that she wrote in her diary. And even so, there were times that her writing showed us that we was a teen-ager, too.

Have you, as a writer, been able to write about things that have been buried deep in your heart? If you have, I think you have done a service to yourself and to others who read what you've written. Most often, when we write about those things buried deep within us, we finish with a strong piece of writing and one filled with emotion. Passionate might be another word to describe this type of writing.

Some writers fear releasing many of those topics that lie deep within. Once brought forth, they bring benefit to both writer and reader. Try unlocking your heart and write about what lies there. Show it to no one or share it with others. That's your choice. Sharing it, however, might touch the lives and hearts of your readers in ways you can only imagine.

2 comments:

  1. these are always my best pieces and by far the easiest to write.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Once you 'unlock your heart' the words usually flow and are often, as you say, some of our best work.

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