Write with integrity. That exhortation might paralyze a writer. Fear looms large. The permanence of words written down can feel like the passing of a verdict. All writers confront this fear. All writers must learn to navigate around it, through it, over it, under it, ultimately befriending this fear in order to wield it. The fear is good in small, manageable doses because fear holds the writer accountable. So why does it matter? What difference will it make if what I write is for my own self-aggrandizement? So what if my writing is a tiny bit vengeful, or happens to shock readers? But what we do and say has consequences. Have you ever written a letter to someone when you are angry, hurt or frustrated? Have you posted something on social media when you were feeling hot under the collar about an issue? Have you read your old diaries from when you were a teenager? The fear of these consequences can keep the writer from abusing the relationship they have with readers. Writing with integrity helps me work with this fear by asking myself a few questions about the work, especially in the later drafts. For example:
What do I hope the reader experiences through my story?
Am I telling the truth or trying to manipulate the reader?
What is my motive for creating that character?
What beliefs and ideology underly the plot of my novel?
Is that really how I felt when I was that age?
Does that word convey EXACTLY what I mean?
Many times during the drafting and revising process I confront all of these questions and more. What I come back to, again and again is this:
What I say matters. How I say it also matters. My words have an impact on the people around me, not only my family but all those with whom I interact. My motives, my intention, my tone, and my facial and body expressions are essential to meaningful communication. Even more so, what I write matters. How I write it also matters. My motives, my intention, my tone, my expression. What sets writing apart from other forms of communication is the permanence of it. When I speak, my words materialize and then evaporate, leaving an open space. That open space might allow for an apology if I have been unkind or it might allow an explanation or deepen a connection. When I write, my words are set down as a record and those who read my words will often be unknown to me. There is no space to explain, retract or undo. This places a tremendous responsibility on writers and is something I consider every day. When I write emails, send text messages and definitely when I post anything on social media, I pause and consider the consequences of what I am writing. That requires me to be accountable to myself throughout the entire process. The reward? Not being ashamed of what I have written, years later when I feel differently. Knowing that what I have written is honest and clean. It might not always be true for me as I change and evolve but I can still stand behind it with confidence.
Writing with integrity means to know what your intent and motivations are, to know what you mean to say and to communicate it with precise and purposeful language. It also means taking responsibility for what has been written. Transparency, openness and honesty are important when any work is in the public sphere. Writers often find themselves practicing the craft alone in small offices or behind laptops in coffee shops but we are not really alone. The work we create invites a relationship with many, many people. Integrity is the key to building trust to keep those relationships honest and healthy.
