Last Updated on: January 29th, 2021
Writing isn’t for everyone. It’s true. But writing can IMPACT you greatly, if you let it!
My guest today is going to share some of what she’s learned from writing. (Oh, and she writes for a living, too!)
So please welcome Samantha Wilson to center stage.
Take it away, Samantha!
I HATED Writing
Since childhood, one of the things I used to abhor was writing. It was like a repellent primarily because I thought it was repetitive, mundane and time consuming. I often used to get lost while writing, as there seemed to be no sense of direction, purpose or end to it.
It wasn’t until I entered college that I was forced to write all sorts of narratives, and before I knew it, writing actually became a habit!
One thing led to another and I started jotting down random thoughts on my phone, then pieces of paper and eventually my own personal diaries.
It was during this period that I realized the power of writing; something which starts as an intuition, then a thought and eventually a whole concept or piece of wisdom, once on paper. This written ‘piece’ then starts getting its derivatives and permutations until it actually takes the form of a masterpiece or sometimes utter non-sense, which only you can comprehend (yes – you get those “off” days or writer’s block every now and then!).
Writing is an Art Form
It can mean so many things to so many people.
We all have varying writing styles and even more complex views and interpretations of those write-ups.
It is the most expressive form in which you can explain or narrate your thoughts and feelings to the other person or the world in general.
It was this realization that made me fall in love with it and I am hooked on to it now “until death do us part” (fairly cheesy, but true!).
Writing Instills Discipline and is Thought-Provoking
It is almost an addiction where I have a set “ritual” to write about certain topics and at a certain time of the day. It improves concentration and makes me question the very basic and sometimes extremely complicated facts and happenings around us.
It also arouses random thoughts that lead to more thoughts until it becomes a pattern and ends in a prose, a fictional story or an informed opinion about a particular subject, to give you a few examples.
When you start writing, you realize that your comprehension of the given topic improves. This then leads to a much better articulation of the subject, by assessing the assumptions, testing the facts and producing a draft that is coherent, comprehensive and well researched.
Writing Teaches You about Self-awareness
One of the preconditions to writing is thinking. You cannot possibly write without thinking. That translates into analyzing the subject and you end up being more knowledgeable and confident about it.
Writing is a Stress-Buster
Writing fosters positivity and breeds happiness.
As a result of this, you will notice discernible and improved behavioral changes. Once you are in the zone, you tend to forget about the outside world as you are in a galaxy of your own, surrounded by your thoughts, which are eager to transcend from the “notional” world to the “physical” world.
You are in total control of the situation and can transform and mold that situation just the way you like it. It is this sense of freedom and flexibility that glorifies this gift of writing even more.
Where I Write and What I Write
I also write for blogs, my own website, print and electronic media and social networking sites.
A personal note or write-up is different in terms of content and style to the ones I mentioned earlier. When you are writing for the public in general, or even for a targeted audience, you ought to be factually correct (unless its fiction or intended to induce humor), be specific and articulate, and ensure relevance to the give topic, at all times.
You will not be thanked for random thoughts or gibberish, as people are devoting their time and attention to read what you have written and have a certain level of expectation (usually invoked by the blurb or headline of the write-up).
You must convey the message in clear and unequivocal terms, which should make the reader feel knowledgeable and/or informed.
It is this distinction in the style and content of writing that differentiates you from “any other writer.”
Other Things I’ve Learned from Writing
With the passage of time, I have also realized that when you write something, you can use the same draft to assess yourself in many respects.
When you re-read what you have written, it serves as a self-check on how you have fared in terms of accomplishing the task at hand, how can you improve it (if at all) and ascertaining your strengths and weaknesses, which can be sustained or improved, respectively.
All of this improves you as a writer and eventually enhances the reader’s experience.
All our lives, we get told by our teachers, parents and elders that we must plan and ponder everything we do. It is seen as a tried and tested formula and somewhat “best practice.”
I never learned this basic concept of life until I started writing.
Writing taught me to devise a structure and to segregate the various parts of that structure, so I comprehend and have a clear picture of what I am going to describe or explain.
Writing has been my best self-help technique or guide. It has transformed me as an individual and it is because of writing that I have excelled in my career and social circle.
We Should All Write!
It doesn’t matter what the subject is, how often you do it, how mature or amateur your writing is.
Some of us do it sooner rather than later, and those that can learn about themselves through their writing surely have an edge.
Once you realize the life-long benefits that you can unlock by writing, you would want to do it over and over again, to the point that it will become an addiction.
YOUR TURN:
What do YOU write? Blog posts? Fiction? Non-fiction? Poetry? Essays?
What have you learned from YOUR writing, or your writing process? Anything?
Are you addicted to writing? Do you find it therapeutic?
Share your experiences in the comments! (And note that commenting is easier now, because Wording Well now uses CommentLuv!)
Samantha Wilson is a freelance writer from Essay Writing Place who shares her thoughts and poetry at White Flowers of Poetry. Follow Samantha on Twitter, or just pop in there and say “Hi” to her!
Hi Harleena!
Yes you are right writing is a tiresome and time taking process. Surely it affects our relationship with the family. But we should always remember their are other things in life beside money and work. We should manage our time so that we do not get left behind in relationship with others.
Writing is actually a stress-buster but at times when you write your academic documents it can be stressful as well.
I agree, Chanakya. Writing essays always takes a lot of time and causes stress!
Hello Samantha,
I started writing very early in life. I was hardly 12 and I had read more books than any adult I had ever met. But I was shy and never showed my poems and stories to anyone. I hid them deep in my diaries and books. Now when I think about it, I feel I should have shared my work with other so that I could have got some feedback.
Anyways, I did start publishing my work online and I am happy I am a writer.
Imran, I would love to read some of your poems! I write poetry, too.
Since we are connected as friends on Facebook, post some of your work there and I will read it!
Hi Lorraine. Writing has given me more confidence in myself. When I started getting praise for my writing, and then requests for readings, I found myself feeling accepted and I started walking more confidently. Yay writing!
So good to hear, Herb!
That was really very nice
Thanks, Rima. 🙂
Hi Samantha,
Good to meet you at Lorraine’s blog with such a wonderful post 🙂
I agree with you there, writing has changed many lives, including mine. However, I think in my case it kind of runs in my family, as all of us write! But yes, it’s surely made me a better person, more expressive, and I think we have the power of the word, so can connect with people in a much better way.
Being a blogger more so now, my writing is what helps me further, whether it’s through my blog posts or the comments one leaves on our own posts or those of other bloggers. I guess we are writing ALL the time, aren’t we?
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead, both of you 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted…Finding Purpose and Overcoming Fear Through Deep Listening
Hi, Harleena. Thanks for dropping by!
I agree… we are always writing, so it seems!
Writing and words have had an impact on me from Day One. I would be LOST if if I couldn’t write!
The only problem I have is not having enough time to write everything I want!
Hi Harleena!
Glad to meet you too! Thanks for your comment.
I definitely agree that writing can swallow our family and crash it, but there is something special about it, even if it seems very destructive. True, my relationships with the family are getting very tough sometimes. However, I always try to find the medium. We should ALWAYS write, but at the same time we should not forget that there is a world around us. I do forget about it frequently, and that’s painful to realize…
Hugs,
Samantha