The Art of Writing: My Three Golden Practices

Summary

The author outlines three essential practices for aspiring writers to improve their craft: writing to discover one's thoughts, reading widely to enhance imagination and vocabulary, and the importance of rewriting to refine and elevate their work.

Abstract

The article "The Art of Writing: My Three Golden Practices" delves into the author's personal journey and insights on becoming a better writer. Emphasizing the significance of self-awareness, the author suggests that writing is not just a skill but a process of self-discovery and mindful practice. The first practice, "Write to Discover," encourages writers to use writing as a tool for introspection and understanding their beliefs and thoughts. The second practice, "Read A Lot," underscores the importance of reading in developing a writer's imagination, creativity, and vocabulary. The third practice, "Rewrite, Again, and AGAIN," stresses the necessity of rewriting as a means to polish one's work and ensure the story resonates with readers. The author advocates for a persistent and reflective approach to writing, highlighting that growth as a writer comes from continuous learning, self-examination, and refinement of one's work.

Opinions

Writing is seen as a form of thinking that helps clarify one's thoughts and beliefs.
Self-examination is crucial for writers to understand their motivations and to infuse authenticity into their writing.
Reading is not just for pleasure but serves as a critical tool for writers to

Discover The Better Writer Within You

Growing up, I was fascinated by the impact writing leaves over its readers. Every writer holds great potential to mold his reader’s thoughts. They make you see and live the world as they want to. I believed it’s a skill that writers are bestowed with. I have lived, laughed, and cried with the characters that I have loved. Even though now, I may only remember the stories, I am left with an ever-lasting impression. Hence, growing up, I wanted to be a writer, and this was the time when I was struck with the reality that writers are not bestowed with this skill, instead, writing requires best mindful practices to hon and build it. Not every author is a born writer, instead, it’s a never-ending journey of self-examination, hard work, and preservance.

Nevertheless, this journey begins with the process of self-awareness. A human brain is a complex machine. It’s like a puzzle, full of ideas and thoughts bouncing around, making it one of a screwed-up place. So in this article, I will share my three golden practices to help you articulate your thoughts and discover your inner writer.

1. Write to Discover

“The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe”- by Gustav Flaubert

The above quote gives an insightful perspective over the power of connecting ourselves, and our thoughts over the meaning of our writings. For instance, I often have some ideas and thoughts, but I cannot articulate them even to myself unless I write them out.

Writing itself is a form of thinking that helps you clear the fog of your mind. So, to give meaning to your writings, it’s crucial to know yourself and get to the bottom of “why you think, what you think?” I cannot emphasize enough for you to get into this habit of self-examination. Connecting all the dots won’t only make you self aware but will also help you bring life to your content.

2. Read A Lot

A photograph by Nong Vang

Reading plays a huge role in developing your imagination and creativity. It expands your mind and broadens your perspective towards new ideas. It helps you build strong imagination by living through experiences without stepping a foot out of your home. Reading allows you to live another life while equipping you with a strong sense of good writing. Most of all, it will help you discover yourself and equip you with the right vocabulary to articulate your thoughts into words.

Read everything that you get your hands upon, but also build a habit to reflect on what you have learned and how it has impacted you.

Moving towards the last yet the most effective strategy.

3. Rewrite, Again, and AGAIN!

Write without fear, edit without mercy — Rogena Mitchell

Rewriting is the key to all the beautiful work you have ever witnessed and got inspired by!

The rewriting process may vary from person to person. Some create a draft in a one go and revisit later to begin the actual work. While some prefer to create an outline, write a handful of it and go back and forth to refine it. I belong to the second category, I like to polish my craft and check in with my instincts if my story is on course, as I go along. By the end of it, my work is already been through multiple revisions.

As a writer, you need to share your story in a way that appeals to the reader. The rewriting process may seem very demanding and hard, but this is when your guts and instincts kick in. Believe yourself, trust the process, and you will discover how much it has improved your initial idea of work.

So becoming a writer is a journey of sheer will and determination, it doesn’t happen overnight. Read, to see new dimensions, and discover yourself. Reflect, on your learning and experiences to foster your growth. Write, to unfold the curtains of your mind and rewrite, again, and again,…….., and again to refine and develop a deeper understanding of how you want to convey, whatever you want to convey.

Learn, Unlearn, Repeat, and Grow!