With all the unrest in the world, my words feel especially wild right now--they don't want to be confined AT ALL. They sometimes don't know what they want, and that's okay.
Many of the writers I work with feel the same, or they’re wondering if their words matter, if they have a place in this world as a writer, or if the world even needs their stories. (If you’re feeling any of the above, check out this post on why you need to keep writing when the world is burning).
What keeps me from being unmoored when the world is falling apart is being aligned with my mission as a writer.
Having a clearly articulated mission as a writer has allowed me to have aTrue North whenever I get turned around in the story I'm writing or feel like I've lost my place in the human story.
I talk about my mission here, in my recent interview with the Author's Guild.
In this post, I’ll be guiding you through writing your own Writer's Artist Statement.
I was always jealous of visual artists and how, whenever they have a show at a gallery, there’s an Artist Statement next to their bio. I appreciated how it gave me, the viewer, a context for understanding them and their work, but, more importantly, I suspected it helped the artist themself stay in alignment with their goals.
Years ago, I decided to write my own statement and I now encourage my writers to do the same.
Over the years, this has helped me make choices about what projects are best for me, have authentic and heart-centered marketing and branding, and helps me show up for my readers. It’s how I keep making sure I’m giving back and staying in tune with my values and goals.
Here it is:
“
I write in order to awaken my readers to the deepest parts of themselves, ignite their imaginations, and hold space for them as they grapple with what it means to be human. My goal is to inspire them on their journey, to aid in their continual discovery of their place in the universal story, and help them strengthen their connection to others. I want my words to be a refuge when one is needed and a light in the darkness when none can be found, a bit of good, old-fashioned magic. Also? I want to entertain the heck out of each person whose eyes land on my pages.”
The questions below will help you explore why you write, who you write for, and how to align your values with the words you put out into the world.
Exploring Your Mission
Step One
The following questions are intended to help you uncover why you write, who you write for, and how you hope your words will land. They’ll also give you some clarity and insight about your writing goals. Grab your journal and have at it.
Why do you write?
What makes you angry / sad / confused / frustrated about the world or human existence?
What do you wish you could tell everyone in the world?
What do you believe about the power of books?
What books have meant the most to you--and why?
Who is your reader? (This is the person you imagine being drawn to your work. Consider their age, positioning in society, etc.)
What do you hope your reader will take away from your work? Is there a message you want to impart (i.e. "You're not alone") or a feeling you wish to leave them with?
As a writer, what do you see your role in the story of our current human life? (Teacher, activist, counselor, comforter, etc.)
Step Two
Write a draft of your Writer's Artist Statement. This is a living document, a WIP. It can be as long or short as you wish. Review my statement above to get a feel for what a statement might read like.
You're clarifying the role you play in doing right by the miracle of this one life you've got.
Alice Walker said, "Activism is the rent I pay for living on this planet." So how will you pay rent as a writer?
Consider your answers from Step One and see if you can sort out WHY you write.
WHAT do you you hope to leave for your readers?
WHO are those readers?
HOW do you want to show up for them (and your fellow writers) as an author in both virtual and live spaces?
Gut check: What are your values? How can your writing and positioning as an author align with them?
Read the statement out loud. Revise as needed.
Step three
If it feels good, post your statement on your website or blog.
Write your statement out and tack it above your writing space.
Check in with your statement when you have choices to make about what projects to work on or how you want to show up in the literary community.
Share your statement with prospective agents or editors who you’re in conversation with about working together to make sure you’re a good fit.
Use your statement as a template for how you want to show up in your marketing and branding, as well as with your readers. This can inform everything from content to aesthetics.
Revise the statement whenever you need to! It will grow as you yourself grow.
Here’s to your wild words and doing right by the miracle with them!
