There’s something very presumptuous about being a writer. By putting pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboards) I am making two statements.
- I have something that is worth saying.
- You want to hear it.
Or am I?
(Go ahead and groan. But I promise to make this point easy.)
One of the things that inspired my goal to write daily on my website is this deep dive interview with Austin Kleon by Ali Abdaal.
If you’ve been reading any of my posts, you’ll note (and maybe complain that) I’ve already mentioned this interview (and Austin and Ali). The interview – what Ali called a “Deep Dive” – is two hours long though, so there is a lot to unpack.
Austin talks about the daily sharing of your work in his book, aptly titled, Show Your Work. It resonated when I read it – the idea that it’s the little bit of daily effort that ultimately builds your creative empire. I started this blog on my website around the time I read it…though didn’t write regularly. I also started a professional Instagram account…and struggled with the daily posting.
However, in the interview, Austin made these two statements that just kind of kicked me in the gut.
Statement number one:
Having a daily blog or daily task like posting to Instagram is not about the fact that you have so much to say. It’s about learning what you actually have to say.
In short, Austin claims that doesn’t write every day because he has a lot to say. The truth is that, he has more to say because he writes on a daily basis.
Which leads to statement number two:
Writing is not just about communicating with the world. It’s about communicating with yourself.
Ah. I love that. Because I know the truth of it. I think every writer does. There is something about the writing process that helps you figure out things in your brain. And the more you figure things out, the more ideas you have. I’m only a week into this write-a-post-a-day 30-day challenge and I can already feel the difference.
Part of it, though, is that I’m actively looking for things to say. Which I think is a huge key. When I know that I’m going to have to write words that will be published on the Internet, I want to avoid looking stupid at all costs. So I search the words, books, actions, TV shows, podcasts, and thoughts swirling around me to see what I can latch on to and expound. It fosters all sorts of ideas (I’ve started to create a list) but also makes life a little bit more exciting – because you never know when you might run into something that makes a light bulb go off in your brain. It also helps clarify thoughts, questions, and ideas that I have and am trying to integrate into my own life.
Which means, I guess, that as a writer, while I enjoy when other people like and respond to my work, the real gift is the clarity that comes into my own brain. With each blog post and Instagram, I am discovering my own voice. Which is the greatest gift you can give yourself. If others want to come along for the ride? So much the better. But nothing will replace the miracle of me learning to communicate with myself.