If you intend to go deep in your writing, you must not fear the darkness. It is in that darkness that your new, and possible your best, work resides. You must proceed blind and uncertain into that darkness, but in there resides your future accomplishments.

When you write, do you shun certain topics or storylines? Do you avoid opening up about them because they make you uncomfortable, or because you fear that your writing about them will be judged harshly by those around you?

It is all too tempting to write the “pretty” story, the happy ending. No conflicts, no thinking about tough emotions. No unlikable characters. No somber subjects. And no need for explanations to friends and family about why we “went there.” It is safe.

To write anything that will not offend someone or cause an unintended negative reaction is difficult, if not impossible. The fear of what others may think of our writing is poignant, even when we write about “safe” topics. That fear can be multiplied exponentially when we explore the darkest depths of our minds.

It is a step of bravery to delve into your darkness.

Some authors are inspired to write because they have a painful personal truth to tell, either through fiction or by non-fiction means. While the writing might shed bad light on others or the author, the intention generally is not to hurt anyone. Rather, it is to expand readers’ minds about the lives of others and what they might learn from the author’s (or the characters’) experiences.

Too often, we focus on the negative reactions to our work, when our words from the heart are criticized; we typically take the negative more personally than the positive. We tend to forget that others may truly need the words we put out there. Perhaps they have gone through a similar experience and they crave a new perspective, or maybe they foresee a similar circumstance and want to learn from you without having to face similar adversities themselves. The point is that you will not know until you write it and share it.

When an author writes something that borders on, or dives deep down into, the strange, especially in fiction, readers often think the work directly reflects the writer’s mindset. In the reader’s mind, it may become what I refer to as “questionably psychotic writing”—that is my moniker, not one you will find in any writing instructional courses out there!

My own personal experience with this projection is this: I wrote a fantasy novel when I was younger and first experimenting with writing, in general. Part of the opening drama consisted of a near-rape scene. I let my mother read it. She immediately freaked out. I got questions like, “Has this happened to you?” and “Would you tell me the truth if it had?” and “Why would you write something like this?” The entire experience became quite awkward. In all honesty, I had probably been watching too much Law and Order: SVU, but the concept is there.

You cannot defend your writing once it is out in the big, bad world.

People will construe it in ways fitting for themselves and, unfortunately, their interpretations will not always be how we want them to see the writing.

Now for the positive part of my experience: one of my mother’s friends read the same novel and loved it. She complimented me on my ability to write with that level of maturity at the time. So again, until you write it and share it, you never know.

But what does an author who is afraid of their own darkness do? What if the avoidance is not in the concerns about what others might think but in what we might learn about ourselves if we dive deeply into a certain idea, thought, or emotion? Clearly, if the topic is so raw or intense that it causes you immense psychological angst or distress, do not go there.

But often, the writing, in an honest and non-self-judgmental fashion, of the most dangerous issues cracks us open in mysterious and freeing ways, whether we show the work to readers or not.

We will always have positive and negative reactions to our writing from others, but what is important is to hold our own truths in our hearts, to know ourselves, and be fearless in stepping into our own darkness.

What shadowy issues, themes, or storylines do you write about or would you address if you dove deeply into your own darkness?

This creativity tip was inspired by The 97 Best Creativity Tips Ever! by Dr. Eric Maisel (2011), and is used with his permission.

Co-authors:

Bonnie Snow served as our intern at Around the Writer’s Table during her senior year at Florida State University, as a Literature major. She was working toward a graduate certificate in publishing and editing and applying for the FSU graduate program in communications.

Gina Hogan Edwards is an Editor and Creativity Coach, and the founder of Around the Writer’s Table. She supports aspiring and experienced authors who want a writing life on their own terms, whether their words are put on the page for self-fulfillment or to share with readers.