Person on the Page

Try this.

Freewrite about a time when you faced a personal conflict. You might choose a time when you felt vulnerable or embarrassed, a time when you thought that you were treated unfairly, a time when you believed that you failed at something, or any other tension-filled time. Begin anywhere and write about the experience.

Don’t stop to edit yourself or worry about the quality of your writing. Just get the experience onto the page. Keep writing until you feel you have reached a conclusion.

Now, look at what you have written. First, try to look as someone other than yourself—a reader who doesn’t know you. Then, look as yourself—read to discover what you have chosen to write about, what stands out as most important. Finally, note what you have left unsaid—read to find what you chose not to write about the experience. 

Next, below what you have written so far, write these words: But this is only partly true. The real truth is . . . . 

Begin freewriting again, this time reaching deeper into the experience, calling up the parts you may have kept concealed from your potential reader, and perhaps from yourself. 

Write to get to the real truth, the real meaning of the experience. Push past any discomfort you may feel, knowing that, at least for now, you will be the only one reading what you write. 

Sometimes when we write about personal experiences, we gloss over what is difficult to express, or we avoid details that may cast us in an unflattering light. We may fictionalize our account for our potential reader because we are unwilling to reveal ourselves. Or we may fabricate a story to tell ourselves—one that will protect us from the truth. 

This writing exercise prompts us to probe into what we might be avoiding about our difficult experiences.  It encourages us to drill down into our memories to get past our layers of resistance. Ultimately, it serves to make our writing more vital and meaningful.

I first encountered this exercise in a workshop led by author Barbara Hurd.  Since that time I have used it in my creative nonfiction writing classes as a way to help students write at a deeper level than they may have in the past.  I use it in my own writing as well, to remind me to dive into the uncomfortable aspects of my memories rather than to avoid them. 

Be courageous in your writing practice.  Don’t be afraid to interrupt your story with, But this is only partly true. The real truth is . . .