Scars are tattoos with better stories.
This statement is on a t-shirt I have. And, having a bit of both, I feel qualified to share this sentiment. Now, I’m not talking physical scars (although they have stories of their own – like when I tried to break the steering column of my car at a combined speed of 110 m.p.h.), I’m going deeper than that.
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The scars with the most meat to them, the scars with murky depths and substance, are not necessarily worn on the outside. We’re talking emotional and psychological scars. I believe it’s safe to say that in some way, shape, or form, all of us have some emotional scarification. Many of us have suffered loss and grief and those who have yet to do so will, unfortunately, encounter it eventually. As raw as it sounds, it is reality. We don’t get to go through life without losing people who matter to us. But this is only one form of emotional scarring. Painful events from childhood, heart-wrenching rejection, angry fall-outs, divorces, failures, disappointments, abuse, regret, etc., etc. The list goes on and on (this is a happy post, right?).
The point is, we all suffer some sort of pain in our lives. And, hopefully, we heal. That pain never leaves entirely. It leaves a reminder of what we have been through and who we are. It leaves a scar that is an integral part of our identity.
As writers, as storytellers, these scars can be powerful sources of inspiration. They can push us to work harder, to reach higher. They can lend confidence, knowing that we’ve suffered and survived. Emotional scars can provide a true connection with your character, and thus with your reader. Scars can prompt us to heal further by exploring the pain on the page. Whether you write a poem, a short story, or follow that trail of tears into a novel-length project, you are putting a true piece of yourself onto the page.
As Stephen King says, in his book On Writing, “you must not come lightly to the blank page.”
So, don’t hide from the pain. Don’t bury your wounds. In a society where tattoos reflect personality, let your scars reveal your character. The best writing is driven by a passionate belief in your work and we all carry our own inspiration inside of us. We simply need to listen to the stories in our scars.
Are there any scars that have prompted you to write something? Has an emotional scar ever dragged you to the blank page? Let’s hear your thoughts!
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
