To My Fellow Weirdo Writers, I See You.
Wired to Be a Weirdo
While attending the Hay House, Inc. #WritersWorkshop2022 over the weekend, I had an epiphany - I am a weirdo writer and I had to stop ignoring my calling.
For any fellow weirdo writers out there, you know the long lonely journey it is to be a writer. It’s such a lonely journey that many of us often resist the urge to translate ideas and share them with the world in order to pursue other endeavors. This rarely goes well. Instead of relishing in blissful ignorance, we end up tossing and turning in the middle of the night, pursuing unfulfilling jobs and relationships, and prioritizing the needs and desires of our loved ones above our own. In short, we suffer.
During the workshop, author, Rebecca Campbell gave a talk where she said something that deeply resonated with me. While traveling to meet her husband’s family for the first time she said that she was up late in the evening scribbling in her notebook. “He must have thought I was crazy,” she told the audience of 200. The audience laughed, but tears welled up in my eyes. How many times had I been scribbling notes frantically in the corner of a hotel room, or dimly lit living room, trying to make sense of the inspirational downloads I was receiving while also trying not to disturb my sleeping partner? Too many times to count, that’s for sure.
When Rebecca shared her experience with us, it made me realize that there were other weirdo writers out there! Despite how isolating it feels to be scribbling away in the middle of the night, I wasn’t actually alone. I suddenly felt seen, understood, and inspired.
And that’s the power of sharing.
Rebecca went on to say that being a writer was a weird thing to want to do. And because we were all sitting in that room we were heeding the call, and THAT was something we should be proud of ourselves for.
And you know what? She’s right.
I’m Not Selling Myself, I’m Sharing Myself
I struggle sometimes with the business part of the publishing business, specifically in the nonfiction realm. But perhaps that is my own inner critic succeeding in keeping me small. Perhaps I need to change the way I view “selling myself”. I’m not selling myself, I’m SHARING myself….my ideas, my unique perspective, and my vision for the future… and who knows, maybe it helps someone else feel less alone or inspired to follow their calling.
The truth is, I was wired to be a weirdo writer whether I like it or not. And it is no longer enough to keep my scribbles to myself, I have to start sharing my musings with others.