Hidden Secrets
Lately, writing has been like strip-mining myself. The other day, I talked about writing about those “issues” which may or may not be recognizable to anyone close to you.
Today, I used those secrets that no one knows but me. Little things. Tiny secrets, those hidden things and feelings you tell no one, maybe your best friend, but that’s it.
It’s so easy to plant them in. It feels so safe: it’s easy to shrug and call them fiction. And often they’re so small, they’re only of note to you.
I’ve always found these secrets have something universal about them, because they’re the sort of things people “recognize,” the sort of things that make people feel less alone.
Glenn goes for surgery on Wednesday! We’re very happy about this, because his wound will hopefully, after six weeks or so, finally start to get better! Yay! They’re going to put him under, which makes me a little nervous, but he’s happy about that. (No pain.)
So what about you? Do you slip in little secret bits of yourself? Does writing ever feel like strip-mining to you?
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Natasha Fondren is a writer traveling the U.S. in a camper with her four cats and husband. She spends summers camped near her niece, because, well, her niece is her favorite girl on the planet.
That sounds like great news about Glenn!
I haven’t been able to write for the past few days, partly because I’ve been sick, but also partly because the EPA and other hearings for my psychic strip mining have become bogged down.
Seriously, I wonder if I’m nervous about finishing my book, because of what comes after.
HAH! David, that’s hilarious! I love that.
Yeah, this book is giving me freak-outs, for sure!
Hi Natasha, I came over from Edited to Within an Inch of my Life. Cute blog you’ve got. And yes, I think I end up sneaking all those little secrets more than I realize!
Thanks, Laura! It’s good to meet you!
You know, I do! It’s good clean fun and a great stress relief. But now that you’ve gone and alerted everybody…
Aw man… I didn’t think of that, Rick!
I hope everything goes well for Glenn. And yes, I put a lot of my own stuff into my writing, although I’m not sure it’s exactly secret stuff. not most of the time.
Thanks, Charles! He’s in lots of pain today, but getting better!
I do put bits of myself in my books — and bits of people I know. One of my favorite characters in my books is based on a friend who I admire. I asked her permission before I wrote the book.
Great news about Glenn. The six weeks will go by fast.
LOL, that’s awesome, Edie! Did you let her read the book?
I hope so, Edie! Our attitudes are so much better, just knowing that it’s actually getting better, you know?
I think that kernels of truth really make a book special. Good luck to Glenn. I’ll think about you guys on Wednesday.
You’re right, Heather! And thanks for the thoughts!
Hope fervently everything goes well for Glenn
Thanks, Bernita!
I hope the surgery is uneventful and he’ll be back home soon.
Thanks, Melanie! Your hopes came true!
Good luck, Glenn! And keep Natasha in line–she’s trouble!
LOL, Elizabeth! You know it!
I do tend to pass on some of my weird quirks. In writing Resonance, I gave her the nervous habit of scratching off her nail polish with her thumbnail. That was my bad habit until I gave it to her. Strangely enough, I haven’t done it since finishing the book. I suppose writing it into her regular actions drew my attention to my own negative behavior.
Now, if only that would work with eating…
Best of luck to Glen–although he has it easier than you, being unconscious and all. They should give out consolation drugs to those who have to wait.
Ooh, really, Avery? That sorta gives me the feeling of fingernails on chalkboard…
I’m going to have to try that with sugar.
AMEN! Can I pick the drug?
I don’t feel like I’m pulling myself inside out or anything, but using things that make me uncomfortable is what is hard for me. And I mean uncomfortable not because they are personal issues perse, but because part of me thinks, “What will people think of me if I write that?!”
Oh YES, I have heard THAT question before. For sure!!!
I’m crossing my fingers and toes for Glenn. I think it’s a good thing, too. His body just needs a bit of help healing that puppy.
Definitely, Robin! I think we’re on the road to recovery!
Glad to hear that Glenn is finally gettig’ better.
Yep … I find myself slipping bits of myself into my writing. Sometimes not even consciously. Or maybe its stuff that I wish I was more like. Hard to tell sometimes.
Liz, me too! It is true… sometimes it happen unconsciously, and I don’t see it for years!
I’ve been writing memoirs pieces for over a year now and it feels more like actual stripping. I just hope agents and editors are seeing my hairy gut exposed and jiggling about once I’m done.
Travis, I’ve got my fingers crossed for you, for sure!
I don’t so much as put a little bit of me in my writings as opposed to putting a little bit of everyone else in them.