TO BEGIN WITH
The other day I was reading a guest post by Craig Ballantyne at Zen Habits, and I agree that sometimes you have to “write to repel.” What does that mean?
It means that you have to write with honesty.
It means you don’t have to worry about making everybody like what you write. You can’t please everyone with your writing, but only those who can identify with what you write.
So go on.
SOME THOUGHTS ON WRITING
Many people like to read, but only a few enjoy writing. That’s probably because most of our writing experiences have centered on undesirable projects, such as formal theme papers in school. And unlike reading a book, there’s no such thing as “skimming” your writing. There are no shortcuts to writing.
Another reason why people are unwilling to write is that they’re afraid someone else is going to read what they’ve written. When you get past writing for a grade in school, you develop a self-consciousness. Maybe you can’t get past the idea that someone is going to “grade” you for spelling and grammar. Maybe you’re afraid someone will criticize, or worse, laugh at what you’ve written, especially when it is not supposed to be funny.
So you rarely write and you miss out on one of the greatest forms of communication and self-expression.
Here’s a fact. When you express yourself through writing, you reveal more about yourself than you ever could by talking, even if you aren’t writing about yourself. Writing forces you to choose your words more carefully because it forces you to think more deeply.
Friends, here’s a suggestion: I encourage you to do personal writing – a.k.a. journaling – that may never be read by another soul (okay, the pressure’s off).
An easy way to start is to buy a notebook and begin jotting down your feelings about stuff. Write down the details of your life, and how they affect you. Don’t worry about grammar or spelling. Just write.
Write how you feel about the people in your life. Write how you feel about God. Write poetry. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t matter if it rhymes or not. For inspiration read the Psalms, which contain some of the most personal and passionate writings in the Bible.
Just start by giving a short time for a few days each week to jot down your thoughts. Go from there until it becomes a habit, then you will start to write for longer periods of time. Believe me, you will be amazed by the results.
Raymund's Random Thoughts
Write. Don't die with all your thoughts inside you.
Many people like to read, but only a few enjoy writing. That’s probably because most of our writing experiences have centered on undesirable projects, such as formal theme papers in school. And unlike reading a book, there’s no such thing as “skimming” your writing. There are no shortcuts to writing.
Another reason why people are unwilling to write is that they’re afraid someone else is going to read what they’ve written. When you get past writing for a grade in school, you develop a self-consciousness. Maybe you can’t get past the idea that someone is going to “grade” you for spelling and grammar. Maybe you’re afraid someone will criticize, or worse, laugh at what you’ve written, especially when it is not supposed to be funny.
So you rarely write and you miss out on one of the greatest forms of communication and self-expression.
Here’s a fact. When you express yourself through writing, you reveal more about yourself than you ever could by talking, even if you aren’t writing about yourself. Writing forces you to choose your words more carefully because it forces you to think more deeply.
Friends, here’s a suggestion: I encourage you to do personal writing – a.k.a. journaling – that may never be read by another soul (okay, the pressure’s off).
An easy way to start is to buy a notebook and begin jotting down your feelings about stuff. Write down the details of your life, and how they affect you. Don’t worry about grammar or spelling. Just write.
Write how you feel about the people in your life. Write how you feel about God. Write poetry. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t matter if it rhymes or not. For inspiration read the Psalms, which contain some of the most personal and passionate writings in the Bible.
Just start by giving a short time for a few days each week to jot down your thoughts. Go from there until it becomes a habit, then you will start to write for longer periods of time. Believe me, you will be amazed by the results.
Raymund's Random Thoughts
Write. Don't die with all your thoughts inside you.
To write it out is to let it go.
The more profound the insight, the easier its transmission.
Poem of the Week
SUNRISE
Poem of the Week
SUNRISE
by Emon
What if I write a poem of love?
Write about fading sunsets on a riverbank
About searching hearts that beat as one
About falling helplessly to a lovely maid.
In the morning when I wake up
I could see the sun’s envious gaze
Shining on my face with the warmth of her kiss
And she tightly wraps me in her arms.
Her eyes caress me with a peep so bright
That birds would sing with its very sight
Like a thunder’s promise of forever to a lightning’s vow
Blessed to hear the music of the fragrance of her eyes.
Her hair smells as that of the ocean’s winds
I could never forget until the day I die
Her mouth tastes as that of a flower’s nectar
I would give my last breath for a touch of her lips.
When life is filled with so many sunsets
How could one not find the sunrise of love?
Now I hear them as a union of joyous laughter
With all the joy and happiness the world could find.
(August 2001)
AND FINALLY
Generally, I think Filipinos are not readers. Why? Authors and writers in this country are hardly recognized and supported. Filipinos would rather listen to the radio, watch TV, or fidget with their phones than read.
What if I write a poem of love?
Write about fading sunsets on a riverbank
About searching hearts that beat as one
About falling helplessly to a lovely maid.
In the morning when I wake up
I could see the sun’s envious gaze
Shining on my face with the warmth of her kiss
And she tightly wraps me in her arms.
Her eyes caress me with a peep so bright
That birds would sing with its very sight
Like a thunder’s promise of forever to a lightning’s vow
Blessed to hear the music of the fragrance of her eyes.
Her hair smells as that of the ocean’s winds
I could never forget until the day I die
Her mouth tastes as that of a flower’s nectar
I would give my last breath for a touch of her lips.
When life is filled with so many sunsets
How could one not find the sunrise of love?
Now I hear them as a union of joyous laughter
With all the joy and happiness the world could find.
(August 2001)
AND FINALLY
Generally, I think Filipinos are not readers. Why? Authors and writers in this country are hardly recognized and supported. Filipinos would rather listen to the radio, watch TV, or fidget with their phones than read.
Even so, as a writer, write anyway. If only to write for yourself. Stay with me on this journey, friend.
Thanks for stopping by - see you next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment