Whenever I open a blank page, I am flooded with excitement. There is an endless number of things I could write about. I am only constrained to my imagination. Writing is indistinguishable from thinking. Therefore, the source of clear, crisp writing is clear, smooth thinking. Having a well rested mind is essential for doing good writing. As is being well-read in a variety of literature and nonfiction books.
When I begin to write I often don’t know what direction I’m heading. The path forward is fuzzy and ill-defined. This can be daunting for novice writers, but I find the unknown territory to be invigorating. I have trust from my writing experience that I’ll find a way and chart my own course. One sentence leads to the next and soon I no longer have to consciously plan the next sequence. The writing begins taking care of itself.
Writing is fundamentally a solitary experience. It is also exquisitely intimate. Here I have full control in what is written and the freedom to explore any space I fancy. No topic is off limits. Of course, with great freedom comes great responsibility and as a writer I have a duty to write as clearly and accessibly as I can for the reader. Writing to obscure and using unnecessarily convoluted language is a sin.
The joy of writing comes into fruition whenever I compose a delicious phrase or sentence. This is when everything comes together: concise words, elegant structure, alliteration, etc. Some sentences carry a magical quality and make writing worth the effort. After paragraphs of drudgery, an elegant phrase can make all the difference for the writer. It can renew our confidence and give us the strength to keep moving forward.
Writing is one of the most effective means of expressing oneself. When we speak we can often fumble our words or not say what we mean. With writing you can express yourself to the fullest. You can be the most complete version of yourself. And without receiving judgment as an added bonus. Writing is how we develop our voice and get to know ourselves on a personal level. Throughout history, writing has been the optimal way to communicate knowledge, ideas, and our most secret thoughts. What a gift that is.