The Rawness of Writing

How far do we go to tell a story?

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I am currently completing a writing diploma, and one of the lessons that keeps being highlighted is that, as a beginner writer/journalist, you should never focus on yourself. You should solely write for an audience and use facts. Feelings and personal stories come later in the journey.

To me, that was counterintuitive. One of the things that drew me to writing and specifically Medium was the opportunity to share my thoughts and more personal stories. To me, it felt therapeutic, and they were also the stories I enjoyed reading most.

I do understand, though, that many magazines and newspapers would likely not take your personal stories unless you have made a name for yourself. Which, in a world where as a woman, I am constantly fighting imposter syndrome, almost seems like I will never be able to write those stories.

On the other hand, I sometimes feel compelled to write more and more personal stories in an effort to connect better with the audience and maybe utilise some shock factor, especially on Medium. But at what point does therapeutic turn into overpowering? When do I lose myself completely in the story?

I think being raw is one of the beauties of writing, yet there are nuances. You can share the story how you would like it to be perceived…