230 – Writing

Click the video above for several minutes of background waves while reading.

I like to walk on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

Before starting my walk today, I looked at my list of ideas with hopes of one jumping off the page. Fortunately, one did. Now, I have to see what I can do with it, but I also realize it is a broad and deep topic. 

Writing is important in life, therefore a skill we begin learning at an early age. Like any skill, some are natural, but others will always struggle writing anything beyond a list or a short note.

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Writing is taking notes, making notes, marking down, recording, registering, jotting, logging, scribbling, scribing, signing, and more. We started with a pencil and then graduated to a pen. We learned letters before learning words and printing before moving on to cursive. That was back in the day, and I know there is an educational debate about cursive in today’s world.

We mainly write with pencil, pen, and markers on paper, whiteboards, posterboard, wood, and even walls and stone – but today, many write electronically. 

We write personally to correspond, keep in touch, make contact, journal, list, or note. Still,  higher-level writing may be for a proposal, research paper, grant, report, and many other forms depending on the profession. We also write to question, suggest, give an opinion, or correspond.

I think about bloggers writing poems, stories, opinions, satire, humor, thoughts, reviews, and more. One group of authors has impressed me for a long time – the independent authors – the independent authors of books – a group that unbelievably supports each other.

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I like writing. I always have, but I don’t know why. I don’t claim to be very good but I hold my own. Besides, I know many others are much better than me. I think some of my joy for writing comes from my high school writing teachers – four teachers that I think were good – four teachers giving me confidence. 

I prefer writing nonfiction. In the previous blog life of 11+ years of over 2300 posts, my fingers are sufficient to count the number of stories and poems I wrote. I don’t claim to be a creative writer, although some say these essays are a form of creative writing. Although I disagree, who am I to argue?

I prefer writing about what I know or want to know. When someone encouraged me to give writing a short story a chance, I tried by focusing on what I knew – but fiction and poetry are difficult for me.  

Writing is not only thinking, it’s transcribing thoughts into print form. Writing is disciplined and strategic – and when necessary, clearly researched. At my previous blog, there were times I posted about topics requiring considerable research – but I’m lucky because I like researching. My beach walk essays don’t require research, but it’s handy when I need to clarify or fill in the blanks.  

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Some people get lost in their writing, so writing is therapeutic for them – a cathartic exercise to cleanse the soul – to release a burden. Not me. Although I find writing relaxing and mentally stimulating, writing is neurological gymnastics to shape my ideas and keep my brain taut. 

Some people find writing to free their emotions – to reduce stress – to be vulnerable – to transform the tears into words to be shared. Not me. I’m not an emotional writer or a gifted with words. I write to share my thoughts to stimulate thinking, sharpen my analytical skills, and converse with others. 

Maybe our writing voice is the deepest reflection of who we are. During my science teaching days, English teachers told me they wanted to read student works filled with emotions deep within the soul. I get that, but I argued that no boss wanted to know my feelings – but thoughts and rationale to create dialogue to lead toward improvement and problem-solving. 

Writing is an exploration because it starts from nothing, and we learn as we go. Writing helps us organize our thoughts and gain a clearer view so we feel understood – well, we hope.

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Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as the headlights allow; therefore, with limited certainty. While uncertainty is certain, we don’t want to make a wrong turn. However, the destination remains attainable, and the feeling of relief is strong after safely arriving.

Most importantly, no matter one’s writing style, writers enjoy writing. It’s a fun way to pass our time. I know I’m never bored when I’m spending time at some phase of writing a beach walk essay. 

Writing is a large topic and I’m confident more essays about writing will be in the future – especially because I know I have more ideas to share – but I’ll save those for another day because I like to walk on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

I’m linking to Jo’s Monday Walk as she takes us to Ronda, Spain. Tell her I sent you.

See what other bloggers have posted about Writing

• Looking Palindromic (a poem by a visitor here)
• Writing with Soul (an essay by an occasional visitor here)
• Fun Facts about Writing (an essay)
• The Art of Writing Short Stories (an essay with a link to a podcast by a visitor here)
• You Should be Writing ( a poem)
• Writing in the Dark (an essay)

Next Post: Writing v2 – Saturday 25th May @ 1 AM (Eastern US)