by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
We all want what we write to matter—to touch hearts, change lives, challenge the status quo.
To that end we search high and low for the words that connect us to our readers.
But what if the gems we’re searching for aren’t hidden in distant places, but instead are buried deep within our own experiences?
Today I’m going to give you the clues to finding those precious nuggets hidden in plain sight. If you’ll bear with me, I’d like to follow this mining metaphor to its ultimate end and show you how to mine your own experiences to make your writing richer.
Mining is hard work, and as I share the miner’s tools of the trade, I’ll be drawing the parallels that I think may help you strike gold.
Tools of the Mining Trade
Miners of old wielded heavy pick axes and bulky shovels. They built sluice boxes and patiently plied the gold pans looking for nuggets. This was necessary because the treasure was often buried under hard rock and hidden in amongst worthless mud.
We face many of the same obstacles when we mine our own experiences. We must dig, not under tons of rock, but beneath rock-hard walls we’ve erected between us and the things in our past that have been painful. We also find that those gems closer to the surface aren’t obvious, but hidden in plain sight beside everyday occurrences. They’re camouflaged to look worthless but are gems of inspiration.
Miners of old wielded heavy pick axes and bulky shovels. They built sluice boxes and patiently plied the gold pans looking for nuggets. This was necessary because the treasure was often buried under hard rock and hidden in amongst worthless mud.
We face many of the same obstacles when we mine our own experiences. We must dig, not under tons of rock, but beneath rock-hard walls we’ve erected between us and the things in our past that have been painful. We also find that those gems closer to the surface aren’t obvious, but hidden in plain sight beside everyday occurrences. They’re camouflaged to look worthless but are gems of inspiration.
Work Clothes of a Miner
Miners—then and now—are often easy to spot because of their attire. From the metal hard hats, with attached lights, to the tips of their steel-toed boots, everything about them is geared to plying their trade.
We too, often need a hard hat of sorts. Our minds often shrink away from remembering past experiences like a miner needs protection from a rain of stones. Our feet must be shod in a foundation of who we are, protected while we go mucking about the dangerous mine shafts of yesterday. Even the good memories can be dangerous, deceiving us and seducing us into what-might-have-been.
The light we need is the focus of what we’re searching for—the point of our writing. No matter whether we’re looking to expose truth, share hope or something else entirely, we must stay true to our path. It can mean death to wander into a side-tunnel and get lost forever.
Miners—then and now—are often easy to spot because of their attire. From the metal hard hats, with attached lights, to the tips of their steel-toed boots, everything about them is geared to plying their trade.
We too, often need a hard hat of sorts. Our minds often shrink away from remembering past experiences like a miner needs protection from a rain of stones. Our feet must be shod in a foundation of who we are, protected while we go mucking about the dangerous mine shafts of yesterday. Even the good memories can be dangerous, deceiving us and seducing us into what-might-have-been.
The light we need is the focus of what we’re searching for—the point of our writing. No matter whether we’re looking to expose truth, share hope or something else entirely, we must stay true to our path. It can mean death to wander into a side-tunnel and get lost forever.
Digging out the Treasure
Now that we’re equipped, let’s start the search. Join me in examining our circumstances. Each of us is in a unique place. It’s a convergence of time and space, but even more it's comprised of people and experiences. Don’t waste what God has put inside you or where He has placed you. Illustrate the things you write with what colors your life.
Many of you already do this. How have your own experiences led you to valuable insights you’re able to share through your writing? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation
Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLES
Improve Your #Writing When You Mine Your Life Experiences - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
When you write, use your life experiences to touch hearts, change lives, challenge the status quo - @EdieMelson (Click toTweet)
Now that we’re equipped, let’s start the search. Join me in examining our circumstances. Each of us is in a unique place. It’s a convergence of time and space, but even more it's comprised of people and experiences. Don’t waste what God has put inside you or where He has placed you. Illustrate the things you write with what colors your life.
Many of you already do this. How have your own experiences led you to valuable insights you’re able to share through your writing? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation
Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLES
Improve Your #Writing When You Mine Your Life Experiences - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
When you write, use your life experiences to touch hearts, change lives, challenge the status quo - @EdieMelson (Click toTweet)
This is an excellent metaphor, Edie. Appreciate also that you included the dangers of not using the right tools, wearing the correct clothing, and getting off course. My poems are all influenced by what I see, hear, and touch today between my house and all of Appalachia. My prose is all based on childhood experiences: the culture, the people, the customs - the Sunday dinners with the preacher's family, being raised by a single mom, no phone, no tv, and never going to a doctor or living in air conditioning until I got in college. I live a prosperous, full life today. Two totally different lives and lifestyles - both full of blessings.
ReplyDeleteJay Wright; Anderson, SC
Jay, that's why your writing has such depth and connects so strongly with those (like me) who read it! Blessings, E
DeleteOur lives are filled with unique stories just waiting to be shared. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a post. I appreciate what you said about not getting lost in a tunnel. Some things are too painful to remember for very long. But seeing the pain and remembering what God did to heal it, are things we can share with others who may be hurting. Thank you, Edie.
ReplyDelete