To write fearlessly, you’re going to feel fear.—Cheryl Strayed

Cheryl Strayed, photo by Joni Kabana, from her website

This quote comes from “The Art of Selling Out Everyone You Love: The Ethics of Writing Nonfiction, ” a panel discussion at the 2012 AWP conference in Chicago. During that discussion, Cheryl Strayed said that she has always been an advocate of writing fearlessly and that she often feels a sense of fear when she writes. She does not believe that writing truthfully means selling people out, but “you’re not going to get permission to tell your story,” she said. “That’s the hard part of being a writer.”

She said that in her writing she risks revealing herself and is careful in what she reveals about others. “I’m always asking myself what is necessary to tell.” Writing “not to illuminate the other, but to illuminate the self … can protect you as a writer,” she said.

This advice reminded me of the Buddhist guideline, to ask oneself before speaking, “Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?”

As a practical consideration, she noted that it’s possible to disguise some people in one’s writing, by changing names and other character details. “But you can’t disguise close relationship,” she said. “You can’t disguise your mother.” She suggested that if you have any questions about what you’re writing, you could ask permission of the person you’re writing about, or you could negotiate with the person. You’ll use different approaches with different people.

When writing from life experience feels risky, it might be wise to ask oneself the question that she asks herself when she’s writing: “Is it my story or is it someone else’s story?”

Another writer on the panel, Krista Bremer, associate publisher of The Sun magazine referred to Judith Barrington’s guide Writing the Memoir. Barrington raises this question when one is deciding whether or not to write from life experience: “What is the most life-enhancing choice?” Bremer said, “The most life-enhancing choice is not always easy.”

• Read Brittany Johnson’s interview with Cheryl Strayed in the March 7, 2013 issue of Sierra magazine.
• Oprah loved Wild so much that she was inspired to reinvent her book club, which features in-depth talks with authors. Read Oprah’s talk with Cheryl Strayed.
• Fame has not gone to Cheryl Strayed’s head. She is who she is, which is one of the things that makes her such a great role model and teacher—that and the fact that she’s a fine storyteller who brings passion and courage to her writing. Check out the video post on my blog, “Cheryl Strayed on Radical Sincerity” and visit her website for details on her appearances, classes, and more.
• Buy and read her books.

See more quotes about writing here.