"You Are Not Alone Statements" for Writers

I am speaking this weekend at the Faith and Culture Writers Conference 2014 at George Fox University.

At the end of my talk, I asked the packed room of writers, creatives and aspiring communicators, to turn in their seats and look at one another.  While they looked at each other, taking in the hundreds of faces, I read a series of statements and asked each attendee to raise their hand if each statement was true of them.

It was an experiment in connection.  It was an experiment in honesty.  It was an experiment in community.  Ultimately, I wanted it to communicate, “You are not alone.”

Here are the statements that I read:

  • I am thrilled to be at this conference.
  • I am not sure if I am thrilled to be at this conference.
  • I write, in part, hoping that through it people will like me.
  • I came here with sorrow or mourning in my heart.
  • Writing is one of the most fulfilling things in my life.
  • I feel like a failure.
  • I feel misunderstood.
  • Writing for me is a spiritual discipline.
  • I feel unsupported in my writing.
  • I have a hard time believing that I am talented.
  • Writing makes me happy.
  • I don’t particularly like books.
  • I feel dumb.
  • I would write even if no one ever read my writings.
  • I would never write if others did not read my writings.
  • I am a writer.

5 Responses to “"You Are Not Alone Statements" for Writers”

  1. Thanks for your post- I never thought of writing as a spiritual discipline. But I like the notion, now that you mention it. Thank you.

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  2. I was there. This was impactful. Thank you 🙂

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  3. Tony,
    Thank you so much for posting the questions.
    It was such a powerful exercise and moment.
    I loved hearing you speak at the Writers Connection a few months ago and it
    was equally a joy to listen this past weekend.
    Endeavoring to move past my agendas!

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  4. Thank you Tony! What you had to say and the questions we needed to ask ourselves were all so important. Knowing we have community gave me strength to move forward.

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  5. Tony, this exercise was genius and quite moving. It was so interesting observing my own feelings to each statement, and the feelings in the room. Thanks for taking us there.

    And for the record… I *still* think everyone who didn’t raise their hands on
    “I write, in part, hoping that through it people will like me” were lying… at least a little bit. 🙂

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