Room for Imperfections

Gram and Imma both admit they have imperfections, in their writing and most other areas of their life.  They also agree that how you handle your imperfections is much more important than the imperfections themselves.

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Some paintings or works of art have imperfections that make them special.  They set them apart and give a signature to the artist.  Likewise, our imperfections are often a ‘fingerprint’ of sorts, a way that we are unique among human beings.  They set us apart.  They are lovely quirks.

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Many people. however, look at them as the things that make us broken or worthless. They refuse to have imperfections because imperfections ruin things.  They mar the person/creation, exposing flaws.

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When it comes to writing, both attitudes exist.  Some people look at flaws in writing as quirks that make the writing unique and special.  I have a couple of friends who blog with flaws. Their grammar is not perfect, and they sometimes use colloquialisms in their writing.  Do they worry about it?  No they do not.  Does it ruin their posts?  No!  It actually gives a quaint, special feel to the writing.

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One plus of the above type of imperfections is that they make the writer more approachable.  The reader feels more like he or she is having a conversation with the writer, and this puts the person at ease and makes him or her want to come back and engage with this writer.

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Those who refuse to allow imperfections in their writing, especially when it is not a professional piece, may put off the reader, making him or her feel like they walked into a spotless parlor and are afraid to move for fear of messing something up.

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No one is perfect.  We are all a package deal of strengths and weaknesses.  We all have flaws and make flaws.  Should we seek to do our best?  Absolutely! But, when those flaws pop up, it is not the end of the world.  It may just be the very thing that draws your readers to you.

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Which view do you take on flaws?  Do you see them as unique foibles, and chuckle as you rock in your chair and sip your coffee? 

Or do you see them as evidence that someone messed up?  Do you write so that people feel uncomfortable in your posts or stories because they see no humanness in you?  Do they sit gingerly on the edge of a chair and choose not to sip that coffee because they may spill it on your perfect rug? 

While Gram is more likely to choose flawlessness and Imma the flawed approach, they both agree that flaws/colloquialisms/chosen misuse of words/etc. can make a reader feel more at home.

Does your writing . . . 

My best friend used to tell me she loved to come to my house because it wasn’t perfect and she felt she could kick off her shoes, make herself at home, and enjoy.  I took this as a compliment. 🙂

Related articles

• Find your imperfections (dailyhumanist.wordpress.com)  {I am not promoting humanism, I just enjoyed what this person had to say.}
• Creative repurposing (writingwithbothsidesofmybrain.wordpress.com)
• Imperfect and real (brwesterberg.wordpress.com)

• Posted in: Creative writing ♦ Friendship ♦ Right Brain Left Brain ♦ Writing
• Tagged: Arts, Gram, Imma, imperfections, inviting, Lateralization of brain function, Writers Resources, writing, Writing Exercises