The fact that I erased five sentences before deciding that the first sentence on the post would be this one is the very point of the post itself. I admit, writing is difficult, but that shouldn't stop anyone from doing it. Give it a try! This very blog is intended for the reader (you) to be active, so I'm going to dedicate a post to "breaking-the-ice" between you and your writing. The best solution I came up with was to write about my own personal writing process in hopes that by sharing my experience you (the reader) will come to terms (maybe a little?) with your own.
When it comes to writing I get semi-intimidated. There are a few reasons for that, the first is being unsure if my meaning would be completely conveyed. In other words, I'm not confident that I have written an item the reader will understand. Not because the reader is not "up to level" with me, rather because I tend to write in a confusing manner, enough to confuse myself when I re-read my writing. I'm also very critical and technical about my writing - even though nothing requires me to do so. For instance, I'm obsessed with commas, even though I'm sure half of them don't belong where I insert them, due to the fact that I feel commas should be placed where I placed them. Other grammatical quirks are: spelling, vocabulary, proper past/present/future tense use, and spacing. (As a result, I end up taking up an extra half an hour on a writing project)
The biggest chunk of my semi-intimidation is a feeling of "unworthiness". What do I mean? Well, say you get an idea. It's an excellent idea, but
something or another blocks you from acting on that idea. That
something, that's what I'm referring to. When I have a great topic to write about but end up not writing about it is because the more I think about the piece, the more I feel someone else could do better, or there are "somethings" standing in the way (research, time, creativity, etc.). Everyone has their own somethings, but they are just that -
somethings. One must get a hold of themselves and just go for it - write!
The lesson: when it comes to writing, when it comes to stating your opinion, when it comes to having your voice being heard ... don't feel bad about it! As long as the end product is a piece you would be proud off, that's all that matters. Proud in a positive way, I think you know what I mean.
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Photography Lessons with Gaby (not shown)
Me Leaning On a Traffic Light Pole |
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Nonetheless, here are my own tips on writing, they might help, they might not, who knows?
1. Words don't have to be fancy, use your vocabulary. Although, it helps to throw off your reader with rhetoric at times, we all learn a little at a time, no?
2. Stay on topic. It is fairly easy to trail off, specially when one utilizes the infamous anecdotes of everyday life.
3. "Spell Check" is an algorithm. Therefore, it's not always right, your style is more precious than what a computer code thinks it should be like.
4. Find your style, get comfortable, and do it! The actual "do it" part is the most critical ... I believe in you!
5. Your opinion will get challenged, what's next? Answer: get ready to defend it logically, or accept defeat. Open-mindedness, the elixir of life.
That pretty much sums it all up. Now, get creative!
- Odi
