Keeping your writing a secret is something many of us, including myself, have done.
For a fledgling writer this is the best way to protect your writing mind and your work, as you develop your skills.
WHY YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR WRITING A SECRET
Too much criticism too early on in a career can stop a writer in their tracks. Think back to your school days.
Can you remember being put off by a teacher’s negative or sarcastic remarks?
No? That’s great – you must have gone to a good school.
But, for many of us, our earlier attempts at writing were greeted with sarcasm and criticism.
That’s not how to grow a writer.
FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT
In the early days a writer must feel free to experiment and try their hand at all the forms available.
There are so many forms a writer can work with – short stories, animation, poetry, comic books, novels – there is no reason a writer shouldn’t try them all.
There is a great feeling of freedom in trying out new aspects of our creativity. Keeping your writing a secret helps expand this freedom.
The beauty of secrecy is that it protects the writer – there is great comfort in knowing you can write whatever you want.
Secrecy is the key to developing flow.
I recommend this for all writers.
You don’t have to be a beginner writer to keep a secret.
Experienced writers sometimes get fed up being asked ‘what are you writing?’
We need to remember that we are not compelled to answer.
We can say we are taking a break, or messing with ideas, doing a course, or we can simply say it’s a secret for now.
People don’t care – honestly.
While you are busy worrying about what other people think – others are busy… not thinking about you!
WRITE ANYTHING YOU WANT
Allow yourself to write anything you want – anything.
It could be a story about cowboys fighting aliens in a forgotten world. Or, you could try writing an article on what you would do if you ruled the world.
Maybe you always wanted to write erotica but were scared of what people might think… it could be anything you want. Anything.
BEFORE YOU START – 3 QUICK TIPS
- Give yourself an hour or two alone – switch off.
- Do not think or speculate about what your readers, or family and friends, are going to think – just do it!
- Cover the page with words, any words and keep going – don’t stop.
A WORD OF WARNING
If you are already an experienced writer, don’t think about how this compares to your usual work. It doesn’t matter.
You are writing with no intention of revealing your secret to a single soul – this is the freedom.
Keep reminding yourself that this is a secret, your secret, and remember to write like nobody’s ever going to read it.
Write like nobody’s going to read it.
Best wishes and best of luck with your writing, secret or otherwise.
Grace
P.S. I love encouraging others to write and all the information, exercises and tips on this site are provided free of charge.
All I ask in return is that you like, share, or comment. Let me know how you are getting on with your writing. I love hearing from writers and I always reply to comments.
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