You’re Missing The Point of Personal Essays
It isn’t about you
One of the first stories I had published was a personal essay, except I didn’t know it was one.
I’d never heard the term “personal essay” so I pitched it as my personal story. Which is pretty much what a personal essay is, right?
What I didn’t realize is a good personal essay is not really about you at all.
The essays that resonate with readers, the ones that make an impact, are about something else.
So, what is that? Before we get to it, let’s start with us and our story.
The “personal” in personal essay
The main reason many of us write personal essays is they are cathartic. (And sometimes because we can earn money from them!)
- They help us work through difficult, confusing, or sad times in our lives.
- We can process strong emotions or reflect on beautiful moments.
- They help us understand the world we live in and our part within that world.
Personal essays are an incredibly powerful way to work through your thoughts and feelings. As an introvert, I’ve always found writing the only way I can express particularly strong emotions.
