“What do I want as a writer?”
Seems innocent enough.
But I find journaling on this question illuminating, freeing, and exposing, all at the same time.
It sheds light on where I want to go, what I value, what I respect, what I long for, when before it was hidden.
It frees me up to start making connections and see concrete actions that move toward that direction, when my next steps had been hazy.
But it also exposes my vulnerability and my responsibility to my values, my deepest beliefs: I now know that I want something. Will I go after it? Or draw back?
It is no small feat to be in touch with what we truly want AND to be aware of our unique red herrings that get us off track. Far too few of us are honest about our desires and fewer still move towards our own “true north” compass points of writer success, even if slowly.
I sometimes want to run away from what and who I’ve found when I journal about my inner self and writing. Even my deep desire to write well can be threatening when I acknowledge my current skill level.
Writing can feel like dangerous work, taking me places I’d rather not see or acknowledge.
But I’m a firm believer that the truth sets me free, when I want the truth, move towards the truth, and am vulnerable and responsible to the truth.
Life comes into focus. Reality sharpens. That’s what I truly want—to be in touch with what’s real and solid.
So, what do you want? Sit with it for a while, and take note.
It’s a question that can alter the course of your writing life, when you allow reality in, and then, to the best of your ability, to live it out.
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Once you’ve found your true north direction, sometimes the next best step can still feel elusive. I would love to help you get closer to where you want to be. You can book a free strategy meeting with me, where we isolate your next step and make a plan for moving towards it (over coffee, of course).
Learn more at https://lauraaliese.com/coffee