Why & What I Write

an introduction (or re-introduction) of sorts

The Nutshell

If I could sum up the why and what of my writing with song lyrics, it would be these:

“I’m friends with the monster that’s under my bed, get along with the voices inside of my head.”

The Monster, by Eminem and Rihanna

For those of you that need a little more than some song lyrics…

The Why

I've been a writer ever since I can remember. My inner critic’s voice has been pretty loud ever since I can remember too. *a.k.a. one of the biggest monsters under my bed referenced above.

That inner critic had pretty much convinced me that unless a full-time income is earned, then the pursuit of any type of creative work is a colossal and utter waste of time.   

Like, what would be the point of me doing that? Writing words, then putting them out there for everyone to read, and not even getting paid to do it? Um, no thank you.  

So I kept my writing to myself for a really long time. Like over four decades of a really long time.

Somewhere along the way, some voices became louder than that inner critic: my husband and kiddos encouraging me to go for it, along with the increasingly insistent Spirit a.k.a. still small voice kind of nudges. It was impossible to ignore.

Instagram has been my main outlet for writing expression the past several years.  I just love being able to combine an image with some writing. I believe in the space social media can cultivate.

So why do I write? Because I’m compelled to. Writing helps me process and become better friends with the monster(s) and voices of my head and heart (both the literal and metaphorical ones).

The What

What words do I share?

Grace, an ease of movement given to us by God, which empowers us to have that same ease of movement towards ourselves and others.

Grit. The toughness in life that can also lead to a toughness in spirit.

Grit and grace means there’s a softness that goes along with that toughness. A tenderness and ease that is there in the midst of the toughness.

I used to think that acknowledging the grit of life meant I was distracting from (or even taking away from, dishonoring, complaining against) God’s grace, but now I know that it often takes acknowledging the grit in order to fully see the grace. I’m learning that both the grit and grace are used to grow us beautifully. Both are given, and both are gifts.

It’s a both/and kind of thing, not either/or.

Connections inspire me, especially ones that tend to get missed in the day to day. Those connections hopefully translate into words of hope for weary hearts. Hearts like mine.

Still trying to figure out so many things. There’s even a book draft under way, which I’ll share little bits of here from time to time. I feel like my message is really starting to take shape.

The message of a recovering perfectionist and people-pleaser trying to embrace the grit and grace of life + love + faith, who had to lose love in all its various forms in order to learn what it really was. Still learning, actually, because...

Love leaves glimpses where you least expect it.

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One of the best ways to show you what I write about is to share some actual words I’ve written with you. Read, and be encouraged:

Perfection and Rejection: More Than Just Rhyming Words

Things I’ve Learned About Love From 1 Corinthians 13

There’s No Place Like Home

Geeky Faith

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Until next time…

Becky