bravery

I follow a lot of bloggers. when I first started my baking blog, I filled my reader with great recipes and gorgeous photography. over time, a lot of those blogs have dropped off my list. because what they lack is great writing. and by great what I really mean is: authentic.
"It seems to me that being authentic is being brave enough or just candid enough to be honest about what you are experiencing or who you are, whether it is popular are not. A person gives a gift to other people when they say, 'This is what happened to me or this is how I truly feel, no matter what the popular belief is about what I should feel.' Whenever you are honest, you are speaking for a thousand silent people who don't have the voice to say what they really feel or are really experiencing. So, if you ever talk about [the thing you went through], you will touch a million hearts. Because you are speaking for more than just yourself. You are never alone in what you are feeling."

the above is an email a blogger I follow received from her mother. she was brave enough to post it because, well... her mom is right. authenticity is what makes great writing.

that's why the food blog I still enjoy most is the one that talks more about dating and cats and quirkiness than food. why this brave woman inspires me with her sheer honesty. why this blogger and this blogger have helped calm my panics about the day I finally have children.

these women are brave and honest. so why have I been such a chicken? I'm afraid of what people will think of me. my parents, my friends, my co-workers, random strangers on the internet.

today it stops. or at least takes a huge step in the right direction. I need to continue my revolution.  I want to try and find who I am as a writer, who I will be as a person, and be brave enough throw it all out there. I still think I've been genuine, but I need to be a little braver. a little less theoretical. to pour my heart out, and instead of hitting delete, click publish.

so here goes.