“Before I started writing, I assumed that authors knew what they wanted to say before they began typing. That assumption evaporated in my first month of writing. I realized that grabbing my pen or computer to begin writing was like picking up a magic wand. My wand could make words appear that formerly didn’t exist in my brain. By sitting down to write, I learned what I thought about the topic at hand. Writing crystallizes thought. Writers are unique beings. We don’t consider it a waste of time to spend ten minutes hunting for the perfect word to convey a difficult concept. Writing is as much about grit as it is about creativity. Often, writing is not an act of genius, but an act of will.” ~Robert Powers
If that wasn't powerful enough, this extraordinary author added:
“I still HATE starting new stories. I wrote the headline for this article a month ago and finally sat down tonight to write it. I still worry that I won’t be able to express myself the way I want. I still worry that no one will want to read what I’ve written. I still worry that the concepts I find remarkable could ring hollow to others.
But once I’ve begun to write, those concerns evaporate. I get excited. I realize how much I enjoy the writing process. The act of writing is what’s important. And once we begin, we tap into the power and creative force that have been waiting for us all along.” ~Stephen King
-∆-
I don't about you, but I feel these words are what most writers need to hear once every so often. I know I do.
Writing is like painting with words, where each stroke reveals a layer of the soul. It's a mirror we hold up to ourselves, reflecting thoughts and emotions we might not even realize we have. Through the rhythm of pen on paper or fingers on keys, we unravel mysteries within, crafting stories, shaping ideas, and unlocking truths. It's a beautiful thing because it transforms the intangible into something tangible—thoughts into form, feelings into art. In that process, we discover the landscapes of our inner worlds, mapping the path to who we truly are.
Let me know what you think in the comments and remember also that reading is just as important (especially the classics).
It probably varies between writers - personally, I most often feel creative and can create a lot in a short time, but not always about the topic that was the plan. The trick then is to just start somewhere else, getting into the mood, and then I can change the topic.
About editing, well, it can be tough. Sometimes, I wonder who wrote it when editing, even though I know that it was me :) Sometimes, there are spelling errors and even logical errors that I wasn't aware of when writing it. But I find that I see the problems easily if I just sleep on it - get away from the text for a while and then read it again.
Nevertheless, we all have our demons. We do not all have the same, though. From craddle to toomb of the writing process, we'll each see exactly ours in the eyes a few times. But we are stronger than them: they have narrow minds, we think broader, we can win - we will win.
The most creative lacks structure. The must structured lacks creativity. The best at spelling and grammar lacks variation, and so on. The end result, however, is our personal style. The style that will be recognized by our (hopefully to come) dedicated audience :)
I appreciate your insight on the subject. Writing/blogging on Substack is a different beast than a publishing house. And self-publishing has more cons than pros, but a decent publisher will assuredly require a perfect draft. That's when our situation gets hairy. It's a catch 22. If we are financially challenged, we can't afford an editor. If we present the draft copy without one, we usually aren't taken seriously.
Beautifully written! I can definitely relate to "I worry that no one will want to read what I've written." I'm on my tenth novel and I still feel like a fraud, regardless of winning awards and receiving praise for my books. I don't think writers ever get over that feeling.
Wow; so sorry to read about your stroke. I was not aware. I hope that you are on your way to recovery, with physio and whatever it takes.
Animal therapy with Arya helped me; I am serious. He made me laugh, which quickened my healing.
I had to write with my left hand when i dislocated my right shoulder and fractured my arm in 2019. It was not easy. But eventually I regained almost full use of my right arm and hand. But I can't play tennis, a disappointment.
I do not know exactly what I will say when I sit down at the keyboard, but once I start writing words, more words follow. When I was younger, the words flowed faster than I could write. It was hard to keep up; it was so kinetic. Now, the words come at a comfortable pace. I rarely finish an article or essay in one sitting. It involves many sittings, including the editing of additions and deletions.
A thought? A dream? Something you heard in a conversation? It takes maybe only one word to start the thought process. Writers are a breed that dances to a different drum beat.
Great article, a keeper. Maybe if I was a good writer I would have realized this. As it is, I'll archive it so I can refer to it from time to time. Thank you!
Beautifully expressed. So happy you are writing again. Sending healing love and look forward to the next brilliant insight you share with us. You are a remarkable man! Xo
This is beautiful! And I believe it is true - we fear the blank paper, but we enjoy filling it as soon as we get started.
Thank you! When creativity strikes, the flow is not a problem, IMO.
Editing is the real struggle.
It probably varies between writers - personally, I most often feel creative and can create a lot in a short time, but not always about the topic that was the plan. The trick then is to just start somewhere else, getting into the mood, and then I can change the topic.
About editing, well, it can be tough. Sometimes, I wonder who wrote it when editing, even though I know that it was me :) Sometimes, there are spelling errors and even logical errors that I wasn't aware of when writing it. But I find that I see the problems easily if I just sleep on it - get away from the text for a while and then read it again.
Nevertheless, we all have our demons. We do not all have the same, though. From craddle to toomb of the writing process, we'll each see exactly ours in the eyes a few times. But we are stronger than them: they have narrow minds, we think broader, we can win - we will win.
The most creative lacks structure. The must structured lacks creativity. The best at spelling and grammar lacks variation, and so on. The end result, however, is our personal style. The style that will be recognized by our (hopefully to come) dedicated audience :)
I appreciate your insight on the subject. Writing/blogging on Substack is a different beast than a publishing house. And self-publishing has more cons than pros, but a decent publisher will assuredly require a perfect draft. That's when our situation gets hairy. It's a catch 22. If we are financially challenged, we can't afford an editor. If we present the draft copy without one, we usually aren't taken seriously.
I hate editing🤔💜
Beautifully written! I can definitely relate to "I worry that no one will want to read what I've written." I'm on my tenth novel and I still feel like a fraud, regardless of winning awards and receiving praise for my books. I don't think writers ever get over that feeling.
Much appreciated, thank you!
Your comment makes a good point. In the same vein, overconfident writers tend to suffer horribly. Their expectations are always over the top.
Your writing is so eloquent & picturesque!
Thank you! It's hard to write left-handed after the stroke in May.
Wow; so sorry to read about your stroke. I was not aware. I hope that you are on your way to recovery, with physio and whatever it takes.
Animal therapy with Arya helped me; I am serious. He made me laugh, which quickened my healing.
I had to write with my left hand when i dislocated my right shoulder and fractured my arm in 2019. It was not easy. But eventually I regained almost full use of my right arm and hand. But I can't play tennis, a disappointment.
It's all good! We take so much for granted in this life of ours. Glad to hear you bounced back, thou. 🙏
Hope you are well on your way to a complete recovery! 🙏
Thank you, Lia. Me too! ❤️
Very sorry to hear this, i hope you are recovering well 🤔💜☮️
Thank you, Deni! I'm walking, so that's a plus. My right hand (dominant) is still weak, so that's a minus. But I'm getting stronger everyday. 🙏✌️
Wishing you all the very best🤗💙☮️
🙌❤️
I do not know exactly what I will say when I sit down at the keyboard, but once I start writing words, more words follow. When I was younger, the words flowed faster than I could write. It was hard to keep up; it was so kinetic. Now, the words come at a comfortable pace. I rarely finish an article or essay in one sitting. It involves many sittings, including the editing of additions and deletions.
A thought? A dream? Something you heard in a conversation? It takes maybe only one word to start the thought process. Writers are a breed that dances to a different drum beat.
Yes; an idea, a prompt, a challenge or a contest. And the ability to make it something outstanding.
Great article, a keeper. Maybe if I was a good writer I would have realized this. As it is, I'll archive it so I can refer to it from time to time. Thank you!
YVW!
Beautifully expressed. So happy you are writing again. Sending healing love and look forward to the next brilliant insight you share with us. You are a remarkable man! Xo
Thank you, Gypsy princess! Much love to you! ❤️🤗❤️