Writer's Dilemma

With the exception of some inspiration on Sunday, I've hit a major writer's block.

For quite some time, topics and experiences have stepped into my mind, wondering if I'll ever put them to words. The thing is, I can't. Part of me wants to write them, but once I sit down and think of what exactly I'm going to write, I draw up an emotional blank. It's as if there is no conviction behind the ideas.

What then? Could I write about something I feel nothing for? I think if I did, I'd feel like a hypocrite. 

Then... what responsibility do writers bear?

Everyone has learned that writers possess many purposes: explaining, persuading, informing, entertaining, and sometimes even relieving. However, I believe a writer's real purpose is truth. Whatever form it may take, be it memories, stories, or documentaries, the words must be true. I don't think people realize the effect their writing can have on others. Their words go out to millions of people, all with different perspectives and beliefs. A handful of letters can change all that. For better, or for worse.

So then, are writers just aloof creators, streaming words effortlessly, never taking thought as to what they are putting out there? Do they do it all for the sake of a story? Quite possibly. At least, I presume they would be more careful if they recognized the extent of their impact. And yet, there are writers who are very deliberate in what they create.

I'd like to think some of my favorite authors know what they're doing with their writing. Jane Austen, Orson Scott Card, J. K. Rowling, Charles Dickens, Ally Condie, C. S. Lewis, Brandon Sanderson, the list goes on! Still, I wonder if a writer can become desensitized after a long period of time. Much like some doctors grow so accustomed to the human body that they forget what a marvel it is. Could a writer really forget the power of writing? Thereby leading themselves to abuse it, or to become careless?

I guess the heart of the matter is the fine line of presenting evil without making evil attractive. For example, people swear. I understand that. Accordingly, a minor curse or two is acceptable, though not preferable. Nonetheless, must there be sexually crude things? Just the other day, I was immersed in a book by one of my most favorite authors, when I came upon a shockingly inappropriate passage. This guy is LDS! His previous books are clean, though not in a naive or innocent way. This recent stumble of his disappointed me greatly. Now, understand, I am familiar and pretty okay with flirtatious-bordering-on-innuendo type stuff. It's fairly normal in today's society. But, there are deeper and darker things out there, and it wounds me that great writers would stoop so low.

There is a careful balance to depicting things as they really are. One must be truthful in writing, lest they mislead the reader--both good and evil must receive their due--but at the same time, one needs to present the difficult side of the truth in such a way that readers do not find it attractive. Thus, if a writer depicts truth in that sense, then readers should not fear. In fact, in an essay of Orson Scott Card's on this very topic, he stated that those who cannot understand why there are unsavory things in a book "have no perspective."

This gave me pause. The author I mentioned earlier possesses an otherwise clean track record, so did I miss something? Was there a higher purpose to that seemingly crude passage? I still haven't decided yet, but Card's words struck me even so.

Through all this rambling, I've come to a conclusion about a writer's responsibility. Foremost, writers, no matter how or what they write, must feel conviction for their work. Otherwise, what good is he to the world? There are already so many writers lacking care and substance floating around, spewing less-than-admirable work. Need there be any more? Additionally, a writer must convey truth. He must show both good and evil, but do so with caution. As a budding writer myself, I want to fulfill these requirements. In fact, much of the reason I write is to share the truths I've discovered.

My hope is that readers--you guys--can find truth and conviction in my writing, and that you may glean something from it. Something to help you, to give comfort or understanding. That is why I write.