Over the summer, I wrote an article about why women should masturbate. It wasn’t published until a month after I wrote it, because I was nervous that people would think that I masturbated. Ironic, huh? I wasn’t trying to out myself on the web for everyone, including my family, to see, but at the same time, I wanted to get a message across. I considered submitting it under a pseudonym, but that would defeat the purpose, wouldn’t it? If I was afraid to link the article to myself, then how could I expect others to listen to what I had to say?
Upon realizing my hypocrisy, I submitted the article and hoped for the best. The piece got great feedback and I felt confident, rather than embarrassed, of my work. It was one of my first controversial pieces, and it pushed me to write more about what I think is important for my generation to hear, whether or not I would be criticized for it.
I have three protective older brothers who read everything I write (well, I hope they do), but that doesn’t stop me from sharing articles about sex. Good writers don’t inhibit their talents by considering who they might be making uncomfortable with their work, or so female comedians have told me.
In her hilarious book "The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee," Comedian Sarah Silverman confesses that she wet her bed until an embarrassing age. Another female comedian, Sara Colonna, shares her life story, with all its highs and lows, in her book "Life As I Blow It: Tales of Love, Life and Sex." These women excel at comedy because they don’t hide anything. Instead, they share their secrets and anecdotes to entertain their audience and to show people who have had similar situations to theirs that they’re not alone.
When I wrote about a pornography study I took part in (coding videos, relax), I didn’t hesitate to publish it because I thought my dad might find out about what I had been doing. Instead, I shared it with everyone because it was a pretty cool thing I did (I also knew my dad wasn’t going to read it). Point blank; controversy sells and simplicity does not. To be a good writer, you have to bear it all and share your deepest darkest secrets, your social security number, and your credit card information with the world. Well, the last two you could do without, but remember that although you are unique, you are not alone. Some other weirdo out there can relate to your story or opinion; so share it!
Don’t censor your work to protect your innocence, because if you don’t write what you want to write, then someone else will, and no can write something as well as you can.