Why is some writing so effortless and others so fraught with doubt and anxiety? Of course, if I'm writing for publication, the stakes are high, but what about when I'm working on my book? Why should I hesitate to put words on paper? Until it's finished, I'm my own audience.
Evidently that's the problem! I was rereading Peter Elbow's book, Writing with Power when I hit the chapter on audience. We're used to thinking of audience as the expectations of a genre. Elbow takes it farther. According to Elbow, we can put ourselves through literary scrutiny to rival college entrance exams before we put a single word on paper. Here's my breakdown of his finer points:
Audiences can be either external or internal. (Or non-existent). Each type can be either safe or dangerous to the writer. A "safe" audience is respectful, serious and supportive and the writer responds by writing in an authentic voice with depth and power. A "dangerous" audience is critical, demeaning or judgmental, which often causes the writer to write in a false or overly academic style, write only superficially, or not write at all.
We can't change external audiences: writing classes, publishers and family will be safe or dangerous regardless of our desires. We know who they are. But do you really know your internal audience? Not only does our internal audience have a tremendous effect on whether we succeed as writers, we have the power to control it. Next time you think your writing will never be good enough, or that you'll never succeed, stop and ask yourself--who's telling you that? Is it some lingering voice from childhood? Or maybe a teacher? An ex? Get them out of your head! Writing is hard enough without ghosts. Only allow in thoughts that are on your side.
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