On Writing
I’ve always hated writing.
It started in grade school. Cursive writing always made my hand cramp, and then, thanks to my left-handedness, the ink stained the outside of my palm.
Next, in high school, the dreaded reports and write-ups. Mindlessly summarizing books that weren’t all that interesting, being told my interpretation of the book was wrong, etc etc.
It’s a miracle I still love to read as much as I do.
Writing was always a chore, a piece of homework, something to put off until the last minute and scramble to get it done.
Need a 20+ page paper for International Econ? Sure, let’s knock out an all nighter before it’s due. Physics report on a guitar’s harmonics? Again, let’s pull an all nighter at the last second.
I always put writing last.
Not anymore.
What I failed to grasp when I was younger is that writing is all about communication.
Communicating ideas clearly, concisely, and accurately.
How did I miss this?
I’m not entirely sure, but I think it comes down to these points:
- Writing was always a chore
- My ideas were always knocked down, without the explanation that my arguments were invalid or lacking in substance
- No other valid uses for writing were presented to me
Now, my eyes have been opened to what writing can deliver.
Writing sells the ideas and products around us.
Writing inspires others to follow your lead, to listen, to believe.
Writing creates new worlds, new ideas, new ways of thinking.
Writing is powerful.
And I no longer hate it.
I want to improve.