Writing as an Act of Catharsis

Writing nonfiction material provides an excellent vehicle for learning. Since one of the purposes on this planet is to learn new information and apply it appropriately, writing is a useful resource. However, lately I have been wondering about the purposes and motives of those who use writing as a channel for “cleansing their soul.” Don’t misunderstand me, I’m in a helping profession and I am supportive of those who flush out their unfinished business. My concern is the context and format in which these confessional stories are conveyed.

It has become a cultural fad to “let it all hang out” in the printed word. Writers such as O.J. Simpson, James Frey, Patti Davis (daughter of President Ronald Reagan) and others are testimony of the attempt to disclose the up-close and personal. One might call it tabloid-style writing. It is designed to hook the reading audience with personal tid-bits from within the dusty corners of one’s life story.

Using the printed word to provide information to the public through books, magazines and articles is an awesome responsibility for those who write. Those whose writing appears in print need to display integrity and honesty. The power of words delivered by those who write has the capacity to educate, entertain and energize the reading public. Written words also have the power and purpose to distort reality, manipulate events, sensationalize the ordinary, justify behavior, assuage personal guilt and hurt those who are within one’s sphere of influence.

I believe that writers who use their writing to impulsively act to expose the reading audience to their sordid history are cowardly rather than courageous. It is often an act of selfishness which demeans the sanctity of writing. As I see it, writing is a sacred experience and should be treated as such.

I am not talking about timely disclosures made in writing which illuminate a significant point. I am referring to those who use books, articles and cyberspace in a way that inappropriately exposes their life and significant others to the limelight and cheapens the legitimate purposes of writing.

Everyone who experiences emotional baggage can easily find opportunities to express their concerns to personal friends, family members and the clergy or counseling therapists. Ventilating the dark side of our personal story to the public serves no one well. In fact, it devalues the writer’s sense of self, and does nothing to bring closure or healing to anybody. This style of writing is self-serving, with the potential of hurting others connected to the writer.

Before writers address their personal stories in a public format, they should carefully ask:

• What is my explicit purpose for sharing this information?
• What is my honest motivation for disclosing this content to the public?
• Who might I hurt by sharing this personal snap-shot?
• Is this the best vehicle for divulging this story?
• Are there times when complete disclosure is not in anyone’s best interest?
• Who is my intended reading audience and how might they react?
• Does my disclosure elevate myself, my readers and the profession of writing?

Nonfiction writers present information that has the capacity to alter people’s perception because words are powerful. It is a quality of good writers that they are able to make an emotional connection with their readers, but do it in a way that promotes personal integrity and respect for the art of writing. Personal disclosure for self-serving purposes does nothing to foster such professionalism.

James P. Krehbiel, Ed.S., LPC is an author, freelance writer and nationally certified cognitive-behavioral therapist practicing in Scottsdale, Arizona. His personal growth book, Stepping Out of the Bubble is available at www.booklocker.com. James can be reached at www.krehbielcounseling.com.