What Non-Writers Need To Understand About Writing
“Oh, you’re a writer. So, you just put words on a page for a living?”
Writing is hard.
Already, I can tell you that I’ve deleted and rewritten that first sentence 15 times.
A simply structured, three-worded sentence. And yet, I mulled it over for the better half of my last cup of coffee.
Most people would look at that sentence and think, “Psshh, I could do that.” And they’re probably right.
But they’re missing something.
They’re missing the sunken majority of the iceberg.
Sometimes, writing is all about simplicity. Getting the job done. Merely a form of communication.
However, the simplicity of a sentence doesn’t necessarily mean it was simple to create. There’s 15 other candidates that landed runner-up to the winner of the first line of this article. Maybe another sentence could’ve infused a different feeling, a different suspense to what you’re about to read. Maybe I made the wrong call.
What do you think?
First line competitors
- Writing is not easy.
Less bold of a statement, but leaves more room to ask yourself, “So, if writing isn’t easy, then what is it?”
2. Writing is a behemoth endeavor that is not for the faint of heart.
Interesting creative approach. Creates an atmosphere of competition, daring. But, in the end, I’m saying the exact same thing as its three-worded competitor, and my personal squad of SEO robots wouldn’t be as happy with this option.
3. Could you be a writer?
Hmm. Rhetorical questions are great to play with. But by the end of this article, are you not already asking yourself this question? Hopefully you are, if I’ve done my job right.
I repeat: Writing is hard.
Our job as writers is to communicate through mediums that go beyond the words you see on the screen. We are translating ideas. Feelings. Moments.
We are asking questions without interrogating. We are excavating your subconscious, to which you consented through readership. We are digging into your lateral thought processes that, for many, would have remained idle otherwise.
Respect your fellow writers, empower your craft, and realize the power in the work you are doing.
Hi friends. Thanks for making it to the end. I hope you learned something about yourself.
Want to keep honing in on your craft? Turning off Grammarly could help. (Did I really just say that?)
