Distance and Perspective

I took a creative non-fiction workshop course last school year, which was a lot of fun. I liked the constructive criticism from my professor and peers which enabled me to further enhance my writing abilities. However, I soon discovered that creative non-fiction isn't for me. It's too personal.

I'm not a closed-off person, but I also am not comfortable being completely open. I don't think anyone is. Yet for whatever reason,when I went to write in that class, a lot of uncomfortable thought and memories surfaced that made it into my writing. It left me feeling exposed and exasperated because the issues I brought up don't have a neat and clear ending, like fiction. In real life, they just fade out, with or without closure and an exciting climax. I was exasperated not by the issues, but by my writing them. I thought (and still do) believe I am over those parts of my life. For the most part, they barely effect me. Yet when I brought them to be critiqued, my peers of course were curious to know the endings to these stories, to which I answered, there wasn't any clear ending. How bothersome.

Not that I blame them in the least, but this is one of the reasons I love fiction. I am able to pull myself away from the topic and be objective. For example, I'm still working on a few different pieces to turn in for the "Shattering the Silence" exhibit at school for Domestic Abuse Awareness Week. The subject of domestic abuse, violent or non-violent, is not easy for people to write about. Fortunately, I've experienced a minimum amount of abuse in my life. Perhaps this is why I find it easier to write about serious issues like emotional or verbal abuse, sexual abuse, etc. I realized that I have written a story and poem of that nature in the past.

I had not consciously decided for my writing to champion the cause of domestic abuse/violence awareness, however it seems to be happening on it's own in my writing anyway. I find this interesting and slightly disturbing. Still, someone's gotta do it. I suppose if I can, if I have words and the means to inform and explain this very grave problem to people, all the better.