Writing

Why Great Writers Are Always Learning

There are tonnes of articles on how to avoid writer’s block. They all have their unique ways, but one method that always comes up is to always be in a state of learning.

Although we do not always live our lives in this way, many would agree that life is a process of learning. We are hopefully not the same people we were five years ago because of it.

However, when it comes to avoiding writer’s block, this is not the type of learning we mean. Passive learning is lessons that come as we go through life. Although they are valuable, they are not the learning a writer needs to continue to write.

We need active learning. And this type of learning can often feel tiring or boring. If we do not have a natural desire to be curious and learn more about the world around us, things like reading can be hard to do.

Even creative writers need to ensure they are actively learning about the world around them. It is through remaining in touch with the world and their experiences they can create meaningful and powerful stories.

The best writers always could learn from even the smallest things that occur in their lives. Some of my favourite writers have taken small lessons and blown them up to form great ideas to help millions. And the best writers on this platform continue to produce ideas that are profound and insightful.

Learning is the superpower of the writer, and many underestimate it. Taking part in active learning will reap many benefits in the long run. So, here are three ways learning improves the ideas you put out in the world.

“No Man Is an Island”

The poem by John Donne reminds us that we are part of a system. We operate as connected individuals that make up a whole. And although we would sometimes not like to be part of humanities failings, there are many benefits to being in a group.

We can build a better understanding of the world and innovate together. We can also collect the perspectives of others and enhance our own experience of the world.

Active learning reminds us that we are not on our own. When we write on a topic, it is safe to assume someone else has done it. And more than likely, more than one person.

For many writers, this overwhelms them because they are striving for originality. However, great ideas have not come from originality. They have come from building on the ideas already present.

Many of our scientific discoveries have not come about from thin air. They are additions and critics to ideas that were already present. And this is the benefit of being connected.

The greatest writers know that learning is not just about increasing their intellectual capacity. It is about staying connected with those who contribute to their field of ideas. That way, they can build on others' insights.

Learning reminds us that no man is an island. We are surrounded by an ocean of ideas, and learning allows us to delve into them. So, to continue to produce good ideas, we must be aware of the ideas around us and use them as a basis for our own. By doing this, great writers and ideas are born.

Communication of Ideas

Consuming the ideas of others is essential for two reasons. The first is that you can sympathise with your readers. Reading the work of others will increase your chances of engaging your audience because you understand how they feel.

If there are parts in an article where you begin to shut off or lose focus, you can avoid making the same mistakes in your work. You will also learn what you like about other writers and incorporate their ideas into your own.

The second is the most important. You can improve how you communicate your ideas by seeing how others do it. It is all well and good to have ideas, but communicating them poorly makes them ineffective.

You could write articles on phenomenal ideas that could change people’s lives. But if none of them communicates with power, they will go over your audience’s heads.

The best way to begin compellingly communicating your ideas is to learn how others are doing it. And writers are constantly doing this by using the power of active learning.

When I read books in my genre, I am not just reading to get the benefits of the book. Yes, I brought it for that reason, but there is more value than that. Seeing how the author presents their arguments, builds their case and takes their readers to a solution is vital. And learning allows you to see that process unravel.

So, through constantly learning you build an ability to communicate the ideas you have in a convincing way. And this skill helps your ideas come to life for your readers.

A Desire to Get Better

Finally, the best are never those who remain stuck in their ways. They are constantly willing to push past their current selves and progress. And the only way the best do that is through learning.

Great writers do not produce good content by chance. They have taken years to learn their craft and learn from others. And that is why I believe that those who desire to get better will always find a way out of writer’s block. A desire to get better pushes us past the barriers we face and keeps us learning more.

So, if you want to become one of the top writers on this platform or be a New York Times best-selling author, it takes learning. And that learning is a continuous journey throughout your whole writing career.

What drives that learning is not your fear of writer’s block. It is instead your desire to be the best writer you can be. Great writers are always learning because that is what greatness takes. And if you believe you will be amongst those writers one day, then you will continue learning too.

Through this zeal to get better, your ideas will be elevated. Like with anything we do consistently, we get better. And as you continue to learn, you will not just get better at writing, you will also get better at learning.

You will be able to connect ideas easier and think of new insights in a better way. Your desire to get better will lead you to better ideas as you continue to learn better. And great writers have a process for learning and building on the ideas they were consuming. That is why they are where they are.

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