#18 – Power in the Unsaid: Creating Literary Breathing Spaces

True authenticity begins with embracing imperfection. Silence can sometimes be the loudest form of communication. And great writing often leaves room for the reader’s own experience to breathe.

In a world obsessed with polish and perfection, what if the most compelling thing a writer – or a creator of any kind – can do is to let the audience feel the realness? That means leaving in the pauses, the breaths, the unedited moments that carry human weight. A truly authentic writer doesn't try to control every detail but instead allows the work to exist with all its natural textures – just like a great conversation or an unfiltered moment in real life.

Literary theory teaches us that meaning isn’t just created by what’s on the page, but also by what isn’t. A writer offers the words, but the reader brings their own memories, ideas, and even the wisdom of their ancestors. That’s the beauty of storytelling: it continues to evolve beyond the writer’s control.

So, as writers, can we let go of our need to dictate meaning? Can we create space for readers to breathe inside our words? And can we trust that the pauses are just as necessary in our quest towards authenticity, as the words themselves?

The real magic happens when you stop forcing it and start allowing your true voice to emerge, just as naturally as a breath. And that's when you're more likely to resonate and touch hearts. 

So, here’s the question for you: What would happen if you let yourself write without trying to please, without trying to be perfect? What if you trusted the pauses, the silences, and the spaces between the words?

That’s where your most powerful voice begins.

Let me know your thoughts on @heartwriting.com.au, and share your authentic writing (that was the result of this podcast) on the HeartWriting Community Group!

With love,
Rose

P.S. The HeartWriting Handbook is coming to you just after Easter! Keep an eye out for the big cover reveal. 💫