Can I write? An exposure to creative expression.
It was something that I repeatedly asked myself.
If so, what do I write and how do I know if I’m good enough?
If you start small, just writing for yourself, it doesn’t matter how good it is as long as you are able to express yourself to your satisfaction. The first pieces that I wrote were for my eyes only. I never intended to show my inner feelings, shame and embarrassment to anyone.
They say there is a book inside everyone. I reckon it’s true, despite some not having sufficient education to believe that it is possible. It is not the ability to write that produces the book, but the imagination and passion. Both these commodities are available to everyone, regardless of education, age, gender, race, religion or even literacy.
How come? I hear you ask.
Humans are very good at discouraging each other. So many people suffer from low self-esteem and self-confidence, never more so than amongst the TG community.
What a daft expression — Community — it’s not a true community, but a plethora of people dotted about the globe, linked by a common curse.
Is it a curse?
If it isn’t a blessing, it must surely be a curse. For a start, I do not know one person who is glad they possess those overwhelming urges to be something they weren’t born as. As a result, all those negative feelings abound, culminating, sadly, to suicidal feelings that are all too common amongst those who feel trapped in an alien life-form — the body of the wrong gender.
I digress.
Take a handful of us and take a closer look. You will see successful people; successful in business, commerce, their chosen profession, as parents, husbands, wives, friends, lovers and solid members of the community. You will also find those who have not been so successful, but then if you take a cross-section of people without the TG twist, you will find the same thing.
The difference?
Those who carry the curse, succeed in life in spite of it. Not only do they succeed in so many areas, but they do so whilst that burden they carry is present for the majority of their waking lives. For many, they live without complaint or considering any form of transition. Often it is carried in secret, as to share it could cause untold harm to those they love. They simply play the hand which they were dealt — to the bitter end. Selflessly they consider others before considering themselves, and many go to their grave without ever expressing the hurt they feel.
For those who cannot continue, there are avenues to follow that may bring relief and the potential for happiness. Some are blessed with understanding families and friends, which makes it so much easier.
Others aren’t.
Many, sadly, choose another way, and their deaths become an ever increasing statistic that reflects how inadequately our societies handle the transgender phenomenon.
This is all rather sad and dark, but I would like to bring a glimmer of light to the darkness.
To be knocked down or knocked back continually causes one to be unable to believe in oneself. I tell you that you can rise above what others say about you or about people like you. I say you can create something wonderful, even though it appears Everest-like in your eyes.
Step one is to believe you can do it.
How many of us had parents or teachers who told us we’d never amount to anything? How many of us believed them?
They said that to me, and I didn’t believe them.
In fact, I took it personally, and decided that I would not only prove them wrong, I’d rub their discouraging noses in it!
Okay, you ask, how do I start?
We all like stories of some sort or another. Some are simplistic and fantastic — a break from the dark reality that is life. Escapism is one way to cope with what can be a dreary life. In these stories you can exist for a short while as the person you want to be, free of the trappings of reality. Fantasies can come to life.
Before the digital era of mass media, books were the only means of escape. They say that TV and film have eroded the imagination of the younger generation. Moot point, and not one I want to dwell on. All I know is I am a child of the 1950s and ’60s. We had movies, TV and comics. My imagination is fine, thanks very much.
The next question is — What do I write?
Chapter 2 will arrive with the New Content on July 6, 2015
Category: Transgender Body & Soul, Transgender How To
About the Author (Author Profile)
Tanya Allan is a prolific writer of various works, including novels, short stories and poetry. Some of her work, relating to transgender issues, may be familiar to those who feel that perhaps life would have been easier had they been born with a body and mind of the same gender. Her other - non-TG work has also been published, but under a different name. Tanya is now settled in the southern half of the United Kingdom (sometimes known as England). Born and educated in Scotland, and having experienced over a half century of life, in a myriad of guises, mostly involved keeping the realm safe and secure from enemies, both domestic and foreign, Tanya has a more sedate life now, concentrating on grandchildren, dogs, travel and writing.Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
