Courage + Literary Granny & Woman Extraordinaire: George Eliot (also known as Mary Ann Evans)
Reading the words of literary granny and superstar George
Eliot today astonished me even more than usual. She said, “Our words have wings
but fly not where we would.” I can’t imagine George, AKA Mary Ann Evans, ever
being unable to “fly” where her words are going or where they have been.
There are moments when I write in the voice of who I wish I could be.
This may surprise many of you who hear me as a very brave, very “on every minute” sort of person.
There are certain things I do that require some people lots of courage, like performing on stage in front of an audience or perhaps public speaking – and enjoying each moment.
Yes. These are both true.
I am an activist and an advocate and underneath all of that I have an inferiority complex that weaves through my blood enough to stop the flow almost completely.
Reading the words of literary granny and superstar George Eliot today astonished me even more than usual. She said, “Our words have wings but fly not where we would.” I can’t imagine George, AKA Mary Ann Evans, ever being unable to “fly” where her words are going or where they have been.
When I settle in more deeply, though, I realize she didn’t use her real name to right.
She hid her identity and even her gender underneath a masculine given name. George.
During her time, her words went many places she could not go – as Mary Ann Evans.
It makes me wonder, who would I be as a writer if I sent my words into the world under a different identity? I think of JK Rowlings, who published the ridiculously successful Harry Potter books using her initials rather than her first name because her publishers believed a feminine name would hurt sales.
She has certainly flown up and over where her words flew. Many of us know her story, from welfare mom to international sensation, but when she was starting out the prevailing business belief was her identity as a she should be cloaked.
It is risky to throw your words into the air and then follow them.
It is risky to throw your words into the world and then feel comfortable going wherever they take you.
“People might point and laugh,” I foolishly believe.
So what if they do?
Yes. So what if they do.
That is my mantra for the time being. I am going to be more bold and courageous in following my words into the world and beyond because I am stripping away the power from “they” who point, laugh and ridicule.
So what if they do? I will take note and move one rung higher on the ladder of my literary adventures.
Are you feeling brave enough to join me in flight?
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This post is Number 27 of 30 and was inspired by the Ultimate Blog
Challenge. Throughout the month I will be posting writing and creativity tips
especially to make your writing (and your writing experience!) better.
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