Everything I write acts as a sort of personal metaphor; I try to add a bit of myself in each and everyone of my stories. Consciously.
It’s probably the easiest way to add realism to a fictional world. And furthermore, I’m the one person I know best in the world, so to speak.
But it wasn’t always like that.In my younger years I use to dread writing about personal experiences, to such an extent that I didn’t write in the first person — people always try to establish a link between the narrator and the author.
But I figured out one thing (maybe I’m wrong): that whenever we read a story written by someone we know, it feels as if we don’t really know that person. Because there are parts we didn’t know about, parts kept hidden from us, maybe from everyone else.
So now I write about past experiences, frights, obsessions, and all that with the belief that I’m actually finding my voice — the one thing that makes writers unique. From a thematic point of view, there’s nothing new to write about. After all, there are what, five, six main themes in art? But still, people write. Because that personal touch is what makes each story unique.
I honestly believe that if we stick true to the things we hate or love or fear, to those experiences that had a lasting power of obsession over us, we can create wonderful art. Only by accepting who we are can we be able to change it in our stories. It’s like doing a bit of introspection; every time you sit at the desk and start typing, you’re also trying to find something that can’t be found; you’re searching for answers. Who am I? This is the most difficult of questions, and in our stories we’re closest to finding the answer.
That’s why I believe that it’s important for a writer to understand that writing has to be a free process — your mind has to be set free from all the restrains of modern day society. After all, art is either good or bad. No other way of categorizing it bears any relevance to the artist.
Related articles
Christian – I have been inspired by you. You often write a post that is akin to "Hey kids! Let's put on a show!" I love that you reach out and inspire other writers to come together and work the craft and be a community. I wrote a blog post just now that follows your theme and I dared, with some trepidation, to show the scribblings that I wrote at a recent workshop and ask others to take a turn. Try it! Your turn! snowbirdredux.com. I was inspired by your openness and your ability to connect with our fellow writers. You have been a blogger, I believe, on my writer's group – Lake Region Writer's Network. We're all searching for answers – in our stories "we're closest to finding the answer.
Thank you.
I have been contemplating (actually started) writing a memoir. It is about my search to seek meaning, truth, freedom. This may sound unusual, but I did devote a good amount of my life to this pursuit. Being an Indian, I had easier access to Gurus, ashrams and spiritual places. The memoir comprises of my experiences and reflections of this pursuit.
I have been wondering whether to write this as a fictional story, with the main character undergoing a similar journey and his experiences. Primarily because of two reasons. Firstly writing a memoir I may need to change names and circumstances to protect the identity of people who form part of it. Secondly I think (and I may be wrong) fiction allows greater freedom to explore various nuances of the human mind through the interactions of different character, without the need to stick to sharing purely a personal experience.
Having said that I feel a memoir is definitely more easier to write than fiction.
I would like to know more about the' ethical' principles' of writing a memoir (if such principles exist). Such as disclosing my experience of others, is it necessary to seek their permission before publishing, what if I change their names etc.
Also what are your views on the memoir versus fiction tug of war?
Another thought-provoking post-thank you.
I do enjoy reading your blog, more than any others I follow. I used to force poetry when i first started writing it but became very unhappy with it (I was 15 or 16 at the time). I write about whatever is on my mind and sometimes I can be a little repetitive with my topics but I'm okay with that because it is not forced just simply what's on my mind.
I have to reply to this. I'm scared. People I know read me, and thus…."Is that really how you feel? Why are you writing about all these personal things? What will people think? What if they realize you are mentioning them? What if they think this is real?" Well, it may be real. Maybe not. But it's preventing me from being unique. From listening to my own voice-the good one-and not the one asking me all these annoying questions. That's me worrying. So I'm still struggling to break through that barrier. Wonderful entry, very encouraging. Thanks!
[...] What Makes You Unique. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. [...]
I found this really interesting. I write fantasy and horror, so this is a challenge, but I think our characters are all at least partially a part of us. That's why they're real to us. Thank you for sharing.
That makes perfect sense, I don't know about you but I used to feel as though I was just being self indulgent when I wrote about personal experiences, now I've come to realise it's just a way of digesting my thoughts, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Sharing it all can be a scary thing to do too!
Absolutely. You the best of my articles stories happen in 5 minutes. I actually publish them. Read them after I have published them. So there are always lots and lots of mistakes. I am so impatient.
But the best ones?
5 minutes are all it takes to write a post.Very fast. If I give a lot of thought into it, I mess up!
But you seem to be the one who contemplates a lot before publishing. Right?
Amazing write up..!!!
I think I've been straying from the kind of writing I used to do in my blog. I used to write out of emotion and experience. I used to write to try to deal with stuff in my life. These days I'm uploading movies and drawing pictures…. I think I lost some substance somewhere along the way.
you're very wise for as young as you are. But then Alexander the Great had conquered the known world by age 32. So who knows what our ceiling can be?
SOOOOO TRUE!!! Couldn't agree with you more…
Reblogged this on thisoldtoad and commented:
I always connect to your post Big Guy!
*
*
Toad
Good Evening: A very interesting perspective on the writing process. Personally, I don't write about myself at all in my fiction or playwriting, largely because I don't think I'm very interesting. Somehow, Irish immigrants in 1875 Sonoma County, California seem to offer more of interest than a pixel-stained wretch at a wireless keyboard. Vonn Scott Bair
This is quite true some of the time, though you then run into the problem of people assuming things about you based on your writing. Your morals, views, sexuality, past experiences, whatever conclusions they might be lead to based on the context of the piece. I get sort of tired of feeling like I need to point out that my characters aren't based off myself whatsoever, and that I'm pretty glad for that. XD
Nicely said. These days, I'm tired of writing. I hope it's just a phase.
I agree.
So truly written.
Yes, this rings true. It fits with my thoughts on art being not only a search for beauty but for understanding, as well. I love this: " if we stick true to the things we hate or love or fear, to those experiences that had a lasting power of obsession over us, we can create wonderful art. Only by accepting who we are can we be able to change it in our stories."
Thank you for this very important reminder. How better to "keep it real?"
I can relate…and couldn't agree more. I'm one of those individuals who still censors myself very heavily. mainly because I'm still trying to find my feet personally…(and maybe because I like my skeletons where they are). thanks for visiting my blog @ CallmeGomo. For the record, what an awesome blog You have!!!
It the same as I as drawer do.
In every drawing is a little bit of myselfe, even is there is a real person as model before me.
Very methodical an approach. I feel inspired.
Christian, even in the new school of marketing it's so important to be unique. It 's the only way to be chosen among the mass. People want to connect with real people when buying a product or reading someone's book.
writing can be a very liberating process from the psychoanalytical point of view. you could find out a lot about yourself. the secret, though, is to let it all flow without caring too much about how well it is written or how it follows certain rules.
In the process of writing a personal story themed book, which makes me feel naked and vulnerable – thanks for the inspirational post.
Yes, I've often preferred to write non-fiction for this reason: I don't want it to seem untrue. But as you say, so much of you comes through anyway, it does n/t really matter. I love your posts.
I enjoy reading your blog! Your future is going to be dynamic as a writer! You are so ahead of your time!
I find it fascinating that so many writers can avoid writing about themselves completely, as my writing has always stemmed from very personal feelings and experiences. It may not be autobiographical, but there is always some grain of myself in it. To me, I wouldn't be fully expressing myself if it wasn't that way.
I love your posts an blog Christian. It's so provocative and questioning. Please keep spread unique ideas and confidences into people's life.
Christian:
Well-put thoughts on a writer's uniqueness and the struggle we go through to find our voice. Pretty f-ing amazing to me that a man as young as you are has the kind of perception and depth of thought as you do. Must be something in the water in Romania. Thanks for your blog and stirring up the pot.
Ajay, I am fine tuning my memoir – spiritual journey – I have realized all about life. I definitely suggest changing names 'and' get permission and their thoughts on how they are described… if you have access to them… I am in that process right now…
You are still creatively engaging yourself! That is good for you!
Well written blog!
Liked you short story "Mr. Nobody". Do you know? To know 'who we are' is the primary goal of the human life?
Aren't we all just asking questions? Artists find different ways to ask, and we use prose. But, when it comes down to it, aren't we just the people asking why? Does a reader pick up a book for knowledge? Are they asking, too?
We think alike.
I have just posted a similar conversation on my page, linking writing to internalized events that we remember most.
Write Away!
Very true post. It is only since I have begun to write true stories about my life that I feel good about writing and feel that i have something worth while to say
"It’s like doing a bit of introspection; every time you sit at the desk and start typing, you’re also trying to find something that can’t be found; you’re searching for answers. Who am I? This is the most difficult of questions, and in our stories we’re closest to finding the answer."
I particularly love this part. Its so true. I used to think I knew myself pretty well. But then someone asked me this once, and I felt silly not knowing the answer to this very simple question, and I still don't know the answer now. Hopefully, I'll be able to answer this question someday, when I've shared enough of my stories. :)
During most of my life I told stories using paint and clay. Words can reveal much more, both to ourselves and to others.
Maybe write under another name? That way you get to write what you want to write without worrying what other people will think.
Great post! I'm able to write about the present but I'm scared to write about my past experiences because it's personal. Then again why have a blog, right?
With my past experience in visual arts (many medias) I am enjoying the time I am now taking to write. I started just 4 months ago when I started to blog to encourage a healing process in my life. I want to be more transparent and I am sure it will come as a result of purging my thoughts. I enjoy your blog and find it encouraging and your education makes it always interesting. Thank you for sharing.
Denise
It's a balancing act. Writing comes from you and through you. A times my muses are in the driver's seat, and others it's from my heart via my fingers to the keyboard. Very occasionally my head has an opportunity to convey a message about something I've been considering; these are the slow simmery posts that take a while… I'd like to say it's because I'm old enough to see a broad horizon of perspective… publish and be damned.
Certainly 'who am i' is the hardest question … But the most rewarding to explorevwhen we choose to do so with honesty, compassion and self forgiveness … Then the doors to creativity open up as we be our own unique self. No one else lives our life. Every story written then is unique :) its confronting to write personally, but incredibly rewarding. And amazing to go back and reflect on where one was ane how far we have come, even if its been cyclical :) wonderful post :)
Cristian, you are a brilliant, self-disciplined, conversationalist with a great sense of perspective. I am proud of YOU! Keep up the great work and keep inspiring us all.
[...] What Makes You Unique. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. This entry was posted in Uncategorized.Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment [...]
[...] What Makes You Unique. [...]
Very inspirational indeed! Thanks for the insight Christian
Very true! We have to write about things that we know about (or are passionate students of), or have a passion for doing, or are naturally good at, of have a lot of experience in. The things that are (like) an extension of our personalities or characters. THAT makes for good writing, organically so.
Reblogged this on Things That Are Made and commented:
Here is some interesting thought provocation by Cristian Mihai. I think he shows some excellent insight here.
Write what is in your mind now! Spontaneous thought has geniune electricity involved!
Reblogged this on Hopscotch in the rain.
Reblogged this on royinks2day and commented:
people say "Great people think alike."…
jut read the this post…seemed to me that the thoughts don't vary…it's only the words that change…it's is the reason why a great mind like christian mihai thinks the same as a feeble mind like me…though some people may debate on the same…i leave the rest….request my readers to read this post and compare the underlying thought that i tried to blossom in my earlier post "who am i?"…enjoy reading….
Couldn't have voiced this half as well as you did… Are you reading my mind?
Thanks to share these thoughts, inspired me.