Two Simple Steps to Writing With Authenticity: by Robert Hruzek

Joanna recently asked me for a few thoughts regarding her September theme, Authentic Writing, and what that particular term might mean to me. Well this came as quite a surprise since at the Middle Zone, actual, you know, thoughts may sometimes be few and far between. Not to mention that I rarely have that many to spare. (Hey, musings we got – but thoughts? Well, that’s a cow of a different color!)

But what the heck; I’m always willing to share what I have with friends. So after considerable deliberation (sound of engine trying to start), I managed to snag a few ideas from the ol’ little grey cells (sound of teeny tiny engine coming to life).

'Course, it may help to give you a little background first.

An Ignominious Beginning

When I began writing Middle Zone Musings a little over a year ago, at first (honestly – I didn’t have a clue!) I simply posted articles on whatever took my fancy. A comment on this article, about that blog post, what so-and-so said; whatever. And hey, for the first couple of months, if nothing else I can at least say with considerable pride: Man, I really stunk!

See, I was trying to be something I simply wasn’t: an authority. In fact, a friend of mine once told me that my writing, although all right in form, made me come across like a college professor. I guess that’s OK as far as it goes, but the truth is, it wasn’t really what I was going for.

So, what was I going for? Well that, as it turns out, was the right question, and to tell you the truth, it took a while to find the answer.

Discovering Your Voice

Over the next few months (sound of Dooley Wilson playing “As Time Goes By”), I began to dabble in writing “just for fun” stuff. For me, that simply meant throwing out the grammar and syntax rules of “good” writing, and just “write from the hip”, so to speak.

As time went by, I began to do this more and more until, by the end of last year I eventually realized and admitted the hideous truth (sound of terrified scream): although I’m not actually an expert on anything – I do love to tell stories. And even better, telling stories not only came quite easily to me, but it was a lot more fun.

This actually was quite liberating, since it also caused me to confront the idea that maybe – just maybe – I might begin to sortof start to incline toward the possibility that I might be an actual writer. (Up till then I always thought of writers as shadowy folk who lived in dark burrows, pursuing their craft in relative obscurity on old Underwood typewriters.)

Finally, and with the kind and encouraging words of friends (and especially Mrs. MZM), I finally realized the sad truth: I was a writer! (Cue heart-rending sobbing noises.) To tell you the truth, it kinda took me by surprise. (Remember, the first step to overcoming a problem is to first admit you have one. So I finally admitted it. But I’m still searching for a local chapter of Writer’s Anonymous.)

So, in getting back to our topic, authenticity – since I’m admittedly not an authority on anything, all I can tell you is what seems to work for me.

Writing with Authenticity

Once I found my voice, and admitted to being a writer, the real growth of Middle Zone Musings in terms of readership and comments began. I simply started sharing stories of events and things I’d learned over the years, even encouraging others to do the same with monthly group writing projects.

Along the way, I had rediscovered quite by accident the truth that people inherently respond to stories – whether they’ve experienced similar situations or not; there’s always something, well, authentic about them.

Anyway, I found that by simply writing with the same style and flow of language as I think (and take note, it really does reflect how I think, not necessarily how I actually talk – I can assure you I’m *cough* cough* ‘way more sophisticated in person), the words and stories come out onto the page screen with much more authenticity, more clarity, and… and let’s face it – a heckuva lot more fun. (Unless it’s, you know, *ahem* serious stuff – which usually doesn’t happen too often.)

Authenticity: Who Are You?

Y’know, most people tend to use their jobs to pretty much define themselves. (If you don’t believe me, try defining yourself in terms other than what you do for a living. It’s not as easy as it sounds!)

But the fact is, what we do isn’t the same thing as who we are.

So, I don’t know about you, but here’s my goal: When folks read my words and come away – not necessarily knowing what I do for a living, but with a sense of who I am – well, then that would be slicker’n sn…, er, really give me a genuine sense of achievement.

Therefore, if you are seeking more authenticity in your writing, my advice, which you are of course free to take with a grain of salt (not to mention the salt shaker and the whole bloody mine it came from), is actually pretty simple, and can be listed in two simple steps.

Are you ready? Here they are:

   1. Find out who you are, then
   2. Write that way.

For what it's worth, I'm not a doctor and don't play one on TV, and in my humble opinion (is that enough disclaimers for you?), you simply can’t go wrong with that formula.

______________________________________________

Robert M. Hruzek is an ordinary fellow with an extraordinary sense of the absurd. Apparently, when talent was being allocated, he missed his helping of propriety and ended up with a double dose of a sense of the ridiculous instead. Fortunately (and before his head exploded), he found an outlet for the dreaded Seeing Humor in Nearly Everything (SHINE) Syndrome (for which, alas, there is no known cure) through his writings at Middle Zone Musings.

If you agree that Robert has a future as a writer, a blogger or possibly even a crash-test dummy, then by all means feel free to stop by the Middle Zone and visit. Better yet, drop him a line at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net  and tell him so. And don’t worry; he’s feeling much better now.

Comments

[Robert Hruzek]

Thanks so much, Joanne for the chance to break out of the ol' box and get out here to Confident Writing! Don't forget - you've got a spot at the Middle Zone just waiting for that day you decide to *ahem* "let it all out"!

Cheers!

[Brad Shorr]

I only discovered Robert's blog recently, but it's become one of my favorites. So I'm going to make every effort to follow his advice. Not as easy as it sounds, though. How do you find out who you are?

[Joanna Young]

Robert, the thanks are to you, I loved this piece, and I think your story, and your style of writing, will give oodles of confidence to people who find themselves muttering 'but I'm not a writer'...

As to your invitation (challenge?!) to write at MZM - I'm musing on it as we speak :-)

Joanna

[Joanna Young]

Hi Brad, thanks for the million dollar question! I think I'll pass you back over to Robert for this one...

Seriously though I think that question 'how do you find out who you are' is central to the authentic writing and authenticity question (and my own view is that writing can help us to find out who we are) - and I'll be coming back to and trying to help us explore this question in the next couple of weeks.

Joanna

PS Robert's site is great isn't it? I came across it through his writing challenges, but it's such a great place to hang out, hear a story, get a smile... I have a feeling there's beer served too, but maybe that's just the virtual effect you get after a visit :-)

[Robert Hruzek]

Brad, I understand the question; it's the same one I - and practically everyone else - have asked of ourselves. I mean, it isn't really like you just suddenly "find yourself" one day, you know?

One thing I will say though - it's actually a process of discovery. Yep, it's a (if you'll pardon the tired old metaphor) journey, and not a destination. I found out who I was as a writer just as Joanna suggests: through my writing.

So the answer is: just go ahead and express yourself! You'll know it when it starts "clicking", because that's when you'll notice the change in feedback and comments.

It's sortof like learning patience; you don't KNOW you have it until you look back and realize you DO!

[Lillie Ammann]

I love Robert's musings because his writing is authentic and his voice is distinctive. Anyone who has read his blog a few times can read something and instantly recognize Robert wrote it.

[Joanna Young]

Lillie, I agree.

It's like the seal of authenticity that he included as a picture with this piece, or his personal signature. When you read his stuff you just know that it's him.

The trick - and the hard bit - is to find our own signature strengths. To find our own way of writing (and being). To enjoy reading other people's writing but not to let that displace our confidence in our own.

I'm sure you must have experience of this as editor (and writer too of course) - I'm wondering what kind of things you look for or encourage in writers to demonstrate their own signature strengths or hallmarks?

Anyway one things for sure, I'm definitely going to be coming back to this question over the next couple of weeks...

Joanna