How to Include Vulnerability in Your Art Writing
Post 3 in our Writing For Artists Series.
by Thea Fiore-Bloom, PhD
Have you ever noticed when you show vulnerability in your art something strange happens?
On the right day, instead of throwing tomatoes at you, people begin to smile.
They come closer and even climb up on your strange, sparkly bandwagon to see what magical thing is going on up there.
The same holds true when you allow vulnerability into your art writing.
If you want to have readers be intrigued by your art writing, let some vulnerability into your web copy.
How?
I will give you my favorite technique to get those beautiful, vulnerable ideas of yours out of your brain and onto the page in one minute.
But first, in case you have doubts that sharing aspects of the real you is a good idea for your art or writing business, I want you to meet someone.
Meet a Super Nova of the Bloggersphere Whose Writing Shines With Vulnerability
The guy in the photo is Jon Morrow. He’s a mega-prosperous entrepreneur, a skilled writer, and the founder of Smartblogger.com.
One day Jon Morrow wrote a little guest post for Problogger.com that is one of the most successful posts ever written.
It’s entitled, “How to Quit Your Job, Move to Paradise and Get Paid to Change the World.
It’s estimated well over a million people have read “How to Quit Your Job.” 
But that’s not the half of it. After publication the post immediately landed Morrow over 9,000 enrollees in his blogging course and who knows how many blog subscribers over time.
The title of the post may sound too glitzy for you.
I get that.
Go on over and read it anyway if you need proof that letting readers in, can make you — not break you.
Yes, Morrow’s post puts readers’ butts in seats because his title is basically what marketers call “a benefit statement.” He is, after all telling you he has the answer to your work problems.
The thing is, Morrow’s post keeps readers in those seats. (He even has them eventually jumping up out of them to give him a standing ovation.) And Morrow has those same folks cheering for an entirely different reason.
Morrow’s Vulnerable Blogging
I argue “How To Quit Your Job” succeeds because its author took a chance and let his vulnerability be the star of that post.
Morrow delivers the benefit his title promises, but only as he also reveals intriguing, intimate details of how he ended up in a wheelchair and what he did afterward.
It’s kick-ass motivational writing.
It’s the kind of writing that makes you think it’s a fabulous idea to have people rifling through your underwear drawer on a weekly basis. 🙂
Morrow reminds me of the power that resides within every artist and writer.
Including you.
We all have the power to inform and encourage others by having the guts to leap over our terror and share our vulnerability and hard-fought wisdom on some topic on the creative stage.
But how do we get the right words out?
Let’s look at a simple yet effective writing technique to help you attract your ideal readers and buyers — by being yourself.
“Write Drunk, Edit Sober” Vulnerable Writing Technique
Art Writing Vulnerability Step 1. Call on Your Inner Artist
First start with a very vague, rough idea of what you want to talk about and do a free-write on it.
Put great music on and scribble everything you think and feel about the subject down with accompanying side doodles or collaged images.
If you’re a visual thinker don’t fight it.
Work it.
Grab some colored pencils and open the flood gates. Now is not the time to criticize or inhibit. Just let it out.
Don’t hesitate to literally connect written thoughts with pictures or arrows.
(To the right you can see one of my free writes with images on a chapter I was having a tough time with my dissertation.)
A gem of an idea, that is true for you will be flushed out in the deluge of words and images.
Let it sit for a day, then change hats.
Art Writing Vulnerability Step 2.
Call on Your Inner Editor
Second, summon up your inner editor to wade through the verdant mess you’ve made to find the gems amongst the wreckage.
Cruelly cross out 90% of your ramblings.
But keep a highlighter at the ready.
Be sure to circle, rescue, and type up the one or two or twenty shiny bits you think make the grade.
Then buff it up by shortening your sentences.
Read it out loud. Read it to a friend.
Now comb through again.
The final product may be a very inviting post or an effective “about me” paragraph you can use in your promotional material for years.
Just think of this 2 step process as a version of the old writing adage:
“Write drunk, edit sober.”
The drunk bit is meant metaphorically.
Drinking and good writing don’t mix.
(Even Hemingway only went about the business of getting very drunk after his writing for the day was very done.)
I hope you give it a go. (The vulnerable writing, not the drinking.)
I doubt you’ll regret it.
In fact, once you see how people respond, you too may become kind of addicted to the scary yet sexy, soulful process of just being real and letting that beautiful heart of yours shine on the page.
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Over to You, What Do You Think?
What have you been terrified to let loose out there in the world that you know wants to fly?
How do you know when you’re close to something wonderful in your art or writing practice? What clues do you get?
Love to hear your comments below.
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Brene Brown
Check out Brene Brown’s (researcher and storyteller) video on listening to shame (the gatekeeper of vulnerability.) In this clip, Brown mentions how shame, if left unchecked, can smother the dreams of men and women alike but in different ways.
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Liked this Writing for Artists post?
Check out the other posts in the Charmed Studio’s Writing Help for Artists Series:
Post 1. Improve Your Art Writing Overnight by Forbidding Yourself To Do 2 Things
Post 2. The Shocking Reason Artists Write Weird and the Best Way To Overcome It
You also might get something out of:
- 5 Secrets To Improve How You Write About Your Art”
- How Artists Can Write More Often: 1 Realization That Can Change Everything
- How To Write a Press Release For Your Art
- SEO for Artists: How SEO Can Boost Your Sales and How to Start
As always, thanks for visiting and reading.
Terrific article, I really like the idea of putting on music, and just letting loose on the page first then coming back and editing. I had never allowed myself to do that. So much more ” freeing” than trying to write a “perfect” article in one go. Definitely going to give this a go. I loved the “Quit your job” article. Utterly inspiring.
Thanks so much for sharing my Wild Hare.
Thanks Aisling, yes it is liberating to be kind to oneself for that first draft. We all do that thing you mention in your comment about starting out trying for a perfect draft. It is logical but has disastrous consequences. By that I mean it usually results in no article being published at all. I loved your Wild Hare. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this piece and contribute to it.
Thanks for sending me the link to your article. This is really good! I need to remember WHY I’m making something – visual or written. Not sure which direction to go in but I have something to think about:D
I think the biggest problem I have is “Why would anyone read/look at my work? There is SO much out there that even if they would like it, how do they find it?”
Thanks for you kind words about the article. I appreciate it!
As far as “why would anyone read/look at my work and how would they find it go” I would say this:
Those are great, honest, universal questions. But before I try to help you answer them logistically I would ask you another question first:
1. Why do you feel the urge to have people see your work? What do you want out of the exchange?
2. Who would you consider to be your ideal audience for your art and/or your writing. What do they do for a living, where do they hang out, what do they read or listen to or love?
Those are very good questions which I hadn’t really thought of. Thinking about them will help me to decide what to write about! At first I would say:
1. To talk about art and what the process is for each individual etc…inspirations and all that.
2. Artists but also other people because sometimes artists need an “outside” view.
That was my immediate response but it’s too general, I need to think about specifics.
Thanks a lot, this gives me a good starting point!
All the best,
Kikoe
If you want to talk about art and the inspiration behind it, I think art blogging is just the ticket for you. I asked my wonderful professional artist friend Kat Bergman to answer your two questions as well and I wanted to share her take them too. I will include them the following comment.
Here is the response from my friend, long time professional painter Kat Bergman (katberman.com):
“I believe that when an artist pours their heart onto the canvas, there is a beautiful, unique life that the piece takes on. It is an extension of the artist’s soul, and that is what resonates with people. The world desperately needs art in this day. We need to connect more and find our commonalities beneath all that is going on. I do not discredit the need for technical study and talent, but that’s a very small part of it in my opinion. Most people can feel if a work has deep emotion infused into it. I have been told by buyers of my art that they feel a connection in some way to my paintings, and one woman said she didn’t even understand why. Paint your truth, put it out there, and allow that primal bond to happen. A very important thing to understand is that not everyone will connect or feel what a painting may be saying. And it may say different things to different people, or It may not connect at all to some. You work will find your people. Begin with your sphere of influence and don’t become overwhelmed by the masses. Start with what you can do and do a lot of it…enter local shows, join associations, maybe contact some galleries. Fairs are a pain, but they get your work out there. Pick a few online galleries and load your work into them. Use social media to promote the hell out of yourself and be your biggest fan. There is a lot of free info on art marketing.”
Hope that helps, Kikoe!
Well put! For me, vulnerability relates to the sense of innocence in some way. When I find my way to that pure space which is like the inner child’s state of blissful innocence, I feel all is possible and all answers find their way to me. I know, I mean REALLY know that something there is guiding and protecting me and I can just be and create and know all is well.
You bring up an interesting point. What do you think the difference is exactly between vulnerability and innocence?
Beautiful picture you have painted there with words in your comment. I can totally picture you creating in that safe mental garden where answers come to you instead of you chasing them. I think I lose a lot of ideas in my writing because I am busy hunting down answers elsewhere. Instead of sitting still and watching for them to walking quietly by in the garden.
A good question. Been pondering the whole concept of innocence and how to visualize/dramatize it. Perhaps its a matter of being in the state-of-innocence, that childlike purity state and, if fear creeps in, it brings along vulnerability?? As I think vulnerability is a judgment state, of feeling that something could shatter our pure state.
That’s brilliant, I would have never figured that out.
Have you looked at the work of William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience lately? Really tarot like images as well as refreshing poems.
After reading jon morrow’s post i realized I don’t allow myself to think the big, crazy goals. Maybe some art journaling on just allowing the biggest, craziest goals you can think of out without fear and judgement and just be present with them.?? Thank you for this post.
You are so welcome. I was thinking about you when I posted my own visual free write pages and of course when I included the quote and video from Brene Brown. Thanks for introducing me to her work Gale! Jon Morrow has a point doesn’t he? I love the bit in the article when he looks around at where he lives with new eyes and sees it at as a pit he wants out of. And then he up and does something about it. Go for the new job of your dreams! If you need any help writing the application I’m on board. Thanks for reading and commenting, made my day.
And. I love Brene!!
Hey what is your favorite book of hers so far Gale?
This post is superfragicajulistic. The journal page is incredible and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your own vulnerability. I know I get close to something big when I start to shut down and back away or do things to sabatage. It reminds me of Marianne Williamsons. Our greatest fear. Right now I should be working on a huge application process for a job that will take me a step forward and I avoid it because what if it comes true. k have blank page fear with the art journals and trying new techniques. Sometimes it’s hard to let yourself to forward. This is helpful. Remembering you are not alone is helpful.
Good article, as always. Vulnerability is something I need to get better at embracing. I often have a hard time sharing things I’ve made or experiences I’ve had, especially with people I know well in real life.
Re: sharing experiences with people you know well. I know huh? Me too! But you are doing great with your writing. Antrese Wood once told me that an important thing about writing a blog is that it gets you used to baring bits of your soul on a regular basis. But man it ain’t easy to open right? Must be even harder for men I would think. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Chey.
Thank you for using my art. It suits your blog well!
Thanks Shawn. I love your work and am thankful for you and your work’s shining presence on The Charmed Studio.
I finally had a chance to sit and read this without distraction. Yay! I will check out Jon Morrow’s article soon. I love the title.
I can answer that last question easily. I know I’m close to something wonderful when I am contacted by someone out of the blue with an opportunity. This could include an invitation to participate in an exhibition, a request for a commissioned piece, or someone wanting to feature my artwork somewhere ;-). And that takes me back up to the first question. I’m terrified of failure and I’m hindered by that. Combined with the bit of laziness I have (just a tad), and my tendency to procrastinate, I often stay in the shadows and wait for opportunity to come knocking. I am taking baby steps though.
Thanks for the insight Shawn. Yes, I totally relate. It’s great if someone reaches out. You are on to something there. Elation, joy, and then you wait a beat and the doubt comes roaring up. I hear you. But then we have to take a chance and go for it. Congrats on always being so brave despite the looming fear of failure which I think we all share.