Quote If you show someone something you've written,...

“If you show someone something you've written, you give them a sharpened stake, lie down in your coffin, and say, ‘When you’re ready’.” - David Mitchell

Decryption of quote

Imagine this: You pour your heart and soul into a piece of writing, carefully crafting each word and sentence to convey your thoughts and emotions. It's a piece of yourself, a reflection of your innermost thoughts and feelings. And then, you decide to share it with someone else.

When you show someone your writing, you are essentially handing them a weapon - a sharpened stake that has the power to pierce through your vulnerabilities and insecurities. It's a risk, a leap of faith, as you open yourself up to criticism and judgment.

It's like lying down in a coffin, vulnerable and exposed, waiting for the verdict of the person reading your words. Will they appreciate your work, understand your message, or will they tear it apart, leaving you feeling exposed and defeated?

But despite the fear and uncertainty, you still offer up your writing, trusting that the recipient will handle it with care and respect. You give them the power to either uplift or destroy your confidence, knowing that their feedback can either fuel your passion or extinguish your creative spark.

And then, you say, 'When you're ready,' acknowledging that the impact of your writing may not be immediate. It may take time for the reader to fully digest and appreciate the depth of your words, to understand the message you are trying to convey.

So, in essence, sharing your writing is an act of courage and vulnerability. It's a willingness to expose your innermost thoughts and feelings to the scrutiny of others, knowing that their response has the power to shape your confidence and creativity.

It's a delicate dance of trust and vulnerability, a balancing act between sharing your truth and protecting your heart. But in the end, it's a risk worth taking, for the connection and understanding that can be forged through the sharing of words.

So, the next time you share something you've written, remember the power you are giving to the recipient - the power to either uplift or tear down. And remember the courage it takes to lay yourself bare, to offer up your words and wait for the response, knowing that it has the potential to shape your creative journey.

And most importantly, remember that your words have the power to inspire, to connect, and to move others in ways you may never have imagined. So, keep writing, keep sharing, and keep believing in the transformative power of your words.




literary-criticism writing

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