Embrace Your Weirdness

How Augusten Burroughs’ Radical Advice Transformed My Writing

As I sit down to write, I’m reminded that the desire to connect with others is a universal longing. We crave resonance, understanding, and a sense of belonging.

And yet, in our efforts to communicate effectively, we often struggle to find our own unique voice — the very thing that makes our writing authentic and relatable.

In this article, I’ll share my own journey of embracing my weirdness in writing, and how it’s helped me find my tribe and my true writing style.

The Author Who Celebrates Individuality

“The biggest surprise was how hard it is to write a book” — Augusten Burroughs, interview w/ Writers Digest

Augusten Burroughs is a bestselling author known for his unapologetic and unconventional writing style. His memoir, “Running with Scissors”, is a testament to his ability to embrace his quirks and share his unique experiences with the world.

Burroughs’ writing is a reflection of his unconventional upbringing and his willingness to bare his soul on paper.

Uncommon Advice: Embrace Your Weirdness

Burroughs’ advice to writers is simple yet profound:

“Embrace your weirdness. It’s what makes your writing unique.”

In a world where conformity and formulaic writing often reign supreme, Burroughs’ words are a breath of fresh air. He encourages writers to let go of the need to fit in and instead, celebrate what makes them different.

Finding My Own Voice

I stumbled upon Burroughs’ quote at a time when I was struggling to find my own writing voice. I was trying to emulate others, thinking that’s what would make my writing successful.

But Burroughs’ words struck a chord.

I realized that I didn’t have to conform to someone else’s mold; I could embrace my own weirdness and let my true voice shine through.

It’s been a liberating experience, and my writing has become more authentic and relatable as a result.

Practical Tips for Embracing Weirdness

Here are three practical tips that have helped me embrace my weirdness in writing:

1. Write about your obsessions: I write about my fascination with vulnerability and authenticity. Not everyone liked it. But it did resonate with like-minded individuals and helped me find my tribe.
2. Use your unique language: I stopped trying to write like others and started using my own colloquialisms and humor. It made my writing more relatable and authentic.
3. Share your personal stories: I share my struggles with grief and self-doubt, and it connected me with readers on a deeper level. It showed them that even in our weirdness, we’re not alone.

Your Turn: Embrace Your Weirdness

If you’re struggling to find your own writing voice, I encourage you to take Burroughs’ advice to heart.

Embrace your weirdness, and your writing will be all the better for it. Don’t be afraid to share your quirks, your passions, and your unique perspective.

The world needs more authentic voices, and yours could be one of them.

So go ahead, embrace your weirdness, and let your true voice shine through.