why do i take forever to write essays

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Writing Too Slowly? The Reason Why and What You Can Do

One simple mind-shift into another gear.

Every day is pain-staking, creaking. Writing your academic journal article, book, or dissertation is coming along so slowly. But it’s not because you’re not trying.

Maybe it even looks like now you’re going to be in big trouble if it doesn’t go faster. It’s getting late.

Or you are starting up and nothing is taking off. You know you have to write. You have a topic. Some material. Even maybe an idea of what you want to say eventually. So why won’t it get going?

Well, I know what it is far more often than not. I’ve had the occasion to observe the process of many academic writers and know what’s going on most of the time. Now, it might not be true in every case, but you have to check. You have to know if this is you, because there is something you can do about it.

Here’s the simple test.

When you start off writing your piece, find out if you basically believe that the words that you are writing are the words the reader will be reading.

This may be a sign that you are writing prematurely.

Of course when we are far along into a piece, or revising or editing, then obviously our frame of mind should include the belief that:

“The words that I am writing are the words the reader will be reading.”

More or less.

But when we are earlier on, drafting, this frame of mind can be the kiss of death.

Yet I find many writers only write in this frame of mind. When they start writing their piece, they actually feel, believe, and/or actually ARE writing the words that the reader will be reading, more or less.

And if this works for you, fine. But if things are painfully slow, then I can almost guarantee one thing:

You are not presently ready to begin writing.

Now that doesn’t mean you don’t have ideas. It doesn’t mean you don’t have material, experience, expertise, knowledge of the sub-literature, etc….

Those are big fat myths of readiness by the way! Those don’t make you ready to write. Many people put off writing because they haven’t mastered those things. But that’s not necessary at all.

And it absolutely does not mean you should not be writing.

What does it mean to be writing prematurely?

“Not presently ready to begin writing” means you haven’t done enough pre-writing to enable you to write under the framework “the words that I am writing are the words the reader will be reading.”

Writing under that belief, and/or fact, is a particular kind of writing . And that writing often requires a lot of pre-writing first to go smoothly.

But many writers skip ahead, and skip over the important step of pre-writing, and begin composing their actual text.

Many writers who write painfully slow do not do the necessary pre-writing. It’s not part of their process.

So when they set out to write something, they are actually writing that thing.

That’s crazy! You have to pay your dues first. No wonder it’s so hard and slow!

Well, of course I have to admit it’s not exactly crazy if it works. It’s not like you can’t make that work. You can. People do. They can write very good things that way. Some great writers have written that way (but more haven’t!).

So we are talking here really about a couple things that have to be true for this to be of help:

• You are writing too slowly and painfully. If you are not writing painfully slow, this doesn’t apply to you.
• And you want it to go faster and easier. You might be writing too slowly, but you don’t want to change that. Which is fine.

But if you want to change, you have to stop writing prematurely, which doesn’t mean not write at all. What it means is that you don’t start writing the actual piece, the article, chapter, whatever, without a lot of prewriting first.

That writing can be outlines and beats. But it should also be tangents, reactions, rants, wording experiments, games, sketches, arguments between opposing points of view, anything, and it could also be essay writing and article writing, with one caveat: although it is in the form of conventional exposition, as you are writing it you have little to no belief that you are writing the actual text that you are going to use.

You are exploring, trying things on for size, seeing how things play out in words.

For some writers this comes naturally. For others it has never crossed the mind to do prewriting. It’s thought that when you start to write, you open the document file, and start writing the introduction, or a different section. That’s how you write.

But many successful writers pre-write for quite a while, days at least, or weeks, and sometimes longer before they start on the real thing.

So why do many other writers not (and suffer the consequences)?

What makes writing so hard and slow?

There’s a simple reason and a deeper reason why some writers skip over pre-writing, and both reasons need to be addressed if you want to change this.

1. The simple reason is that it’s just never been your habit. You’ve always done it one way (and if that’s fine with you, no need to change). And the simple solution to that aspect of it is to start getting more practice at writing in an exploratory mode. Get looser with writing exercises and techniques that rub up against the over utilitarian relation to writing. Join our email list and you can get some help in email and there is a ton more inside our members’ creative writing bootcamp to help with that. Practice your instrument!

2. The deeper reason has to do with a fear of wasting efforts and a belief in a scarcity within you.

Both of these are completely erroneous beliefs and fears.

Of course, the current economic situation in the academic careers doesn’t exactly help put these fears to rest.

But that doesn’t make them any less untrue.

It’s simply not true that investing some time and effort in pre-writing is a waste of time or energy. Instead, it’s setting you up for an easier and faster time later.

And it’s simply not true that your creativity is a limited resource that can run dry. Letting free play with words happen does not exhaust the well, it deepens it.

And if we do try pre-writing, but we judge our pre-writing on the basis of how many pieces of text we can cut and paste and use out of it, we’ve still got it all wrong.

In prewriting, we’re exercising our instrument, and we’re touching into our topic through written words. That’s going to connect with our subconscious, which is going to continue the thinking and the writing in the background, throughout the day, in our sleep even. We are pushing at some things, pulling at others, seeing how it works, what happens, and what can possibly happen, as well as discovering things we definitely don’t want to do.

All of that is making a huge contribution to making things easier later.

The fact is, we can’t know or judge the effects of pre-writing through our normal evaluative processes. In fact, it’s those judgmental processes themselves—trying not to waste, trying to maximize every little bit—that are the thing pushing us into writing prematurely.

We can only know the effects of pre-writing partially, when we look back and see how better things are for us, overall in our process. Some of the reasons why it’s better we can know, some we can guess, and others will remain a mystery.

Some writers are too afraid to let go and do something that does not appear in surface dimensions to be a direct payoff.

Some writers will feel that a few reams of pre-writing are a waste of time because the text in there can’t be imported into their document or doesn’t have direct relation to what will, eventually, be in the document.

And fair enough, to repeat, you can write well without pre-writing. Joseph Conrad, famously, wrote a couple sentences per full day of writing labor.

But other writers, many of them, routinely warm up to writing, warm up to their topic, really grasp it a bit in their hands and take some many days of practice swings before they take a crack at it.

And the reason they are loose enough to do that is because they have no problem just writing for writing’s sake. They trust in writing. They don’t see it a potential waste. Writing helps writing.

Test Yourself:

So, to get into this mindset, at least on occasion, or to just try it out for a while, there is that simple test you can do:

When you write, is it always under the belief that the words that you are writing are the words the reader will be reading?

If so, can you try to write a little, sometimes, without that belief, and push against the fear that it’s a waste?

Or if you do it a little, can you expand that, write in exploration a little more?

You have to try and see.

Trust writing.

Trust writing, just a little, and you will start to see that writing is trustworthy. And then you’ll trust it more.

And that’s when things take off.

To get some writing exercises that will help you learn to pre-write, join our email list and get 5 eBooks sent to you to help with your writing, or join the Creative Academic Writing Bootcamp , if spaces open up.

• EXPLORE Random Article

15 Ways to Make Your Writing Longer (and Get Through Writer's Block)

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

This article was co-authored by Alicia Cook and by wikiHow staff writer, Madeleine Criglow . Alicia Cook is a Professional Writer based in Newark, New Jersey. With over 12 years of experience, Alicia specializes in poetry and uses her platform to advocate for families affected by addiction and to fight for breaking the stigma against addiction and mental illness. She holds a BA in English and Journalism from Georgian Court University and an MBA from Saint Peter’s University. Alicia is a bestselling poet with Andrews McMeel Publishing and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets including the NY Post, CNN, USA Today, the HuffPost, the LA Times, American Songwriter Magazine, and Bustle. She was named by Teen Vogue as one of the 10 social media poets to know and her poetry mixtape, “Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately” was a finalist in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 13,472 times.

Even when you've got a great idea, sometimes writing can leave you feeling stuck. Whether you're working on an essay for school or the novel you've always dreamed of writing, it can be hard to escape from writer's block once it starts. This article will show you the many tricks you can use to return to the drawing board and ultimately strengthen, lengthen, and clarify your work so that it is the best it can be.

Reread the directions on your assignment sheet.

• If you notice anything missing, take note of those missing elements and add them to your work to clarify and expand your writing.

Revisit your original notes or outline.

Reexamine your thesis or argument if you have one.

• To strengthen and clarify your argument, make sure your thesis includes both a subject and an opinion. [2] X Research source
• Even if your writing does not include a thesis statement, examine your original topic or intention. What did you want the reader to feel when setting out to write your story? For example, you may have set out to write a grand adventure story, but find your first draft is more of a meandering journey. Consider making changes so that it can return to what you originally intended it to be.

Use free writing to brainstorm new ideas.

• You may not end up using all the ideas you write about, but free writing can be a great tool to help expand your mind on the subject and encourage you to get out from any writing roadblocks you've hit.

Make an idea list to think of even more.

• Try pushing yourself to think of anything you can! Exploring all your options can help you widen your perspective on your topic and help you think of ideas you may never have otherwise come across.

Make a mind map to organize all of your ideas.

• Use the mind map as a guide to your writing process going forward, as the connections and new ideas you came up with can help you expand and further develop points you’ve made.

Keep your audience in mind.

• For example, the logistics of the fantasy world you’ve created may seem clear to you since you’ve developed the idea. It may not be super clear to the reader if you don’t provide enough contextual clues or necessary information to get your point across.

Ask yourself if you’ve made the subject clear.

• For example, you may be writing a work of fiction about a princess. Make it clear that the story is about the princess by establishing her as the main character early on. To do this, consider focusing on her experience as the guiding plot line, providing details about her inner-monologue, and giving the reader background information about her life.

Check that you've provided necessary background information.

• Let’s say you’re writing a paper on wind turbines. Before jumping into why we should adopt wind energy as a resource, explain how wind turbines work. This will help your reader be more invested in your argument, as they’ll understand how wind energy functions and can make an informed decision about whether they agree with your claim.
• If you’re working on a fantasy novel about a fictional land, add details about how people live in that world day-to-day. These details can be anything from the system of government in the land to cultural customs to fun attributes like food the characters eat.

Make sure your reader knows why the subject is important to them.

• An argumentative essay about toxic waste needs to include information on why toxic waste is bad, but also why that is relevant to the reader personally. Include details on the harmful effects it can have on the ecosystem, and how those toxins can affect air quality.
• If your fictional character is trying to win a marathon, why should your readers be invested in that story? Maybe the marathon can function as a metaphor for a difficult hardship they would like to overcome, or as a means to improve their life after a series of mistakes.

Research your topic thoroughly.

• If you're working on a fiction project and struggling with a particular point in the story, look for specific, verified sources on that topic. Let’s say there’s a battle scene in your story, but it reads as a little vague. You may need to conduct more research on specific battle tactics and types of armor.
• Similarly, your essay may be in need of additional research if you find any paragraphs lacking in information. Examine your paper to see if there are any points in need of more evidence, such as additional quotes or cited sources. Use digital libraries such as jstor.com or take a trip to the library to give your paper some more weight. [12] X Research source

Add additional evidence to your writing.

• If you are unsure of how to correctly cite a source, consult websites like https://owl.purdue.edu/ , which can give you accurate information on specific citation styles. [13] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source

Improve and expand your descriptions.

• Take a description like “Marie walked to the park on a beautiful day.” It’s off to a good start, but it doesn’t let the reader know why exactly the day is beautiful and what the park looks like. Some sensory details can make the description much more vivid. Try something like, “The air smelled like roses as Marie walked to the park. She breathed in the warm air and watched as the sun cast shadows over the sidewalk.”

Clarify your writing.

• If you find many run-on sentences, break them up into shorter sentences for clarity. Next, try adding some transition words to communicate how the sentences connect with each other. Examples of transition words include also, but, however, moreover, and therefore. [15] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
• A sentence written in active voice clearly states the subject performing an action, i.e. Jim mowed the lawn. In this sentence, the reader is left with no question that Jim is the subject who is mowing the lawn. Passive voice, however, does not let the reader in on that clarifying detail. Passive voice does not reveal who commits the action, i.e. the lawn was mowed. Stick to active voice to keep your writing clear and concise, and consider revising any sentences using passive voice. [16] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source

Narrow down your topic.

• For example, if you are writing an argumentative essay on the need for renewable energy sources, consider writing your paper on the benefits of a particular source like wind or solar energy. A 5 page paper on every type of renewable source would have to be pretty general, as you wouldn’t have the space and time to go into much detail on the function and benefits of each one. A paper of that same length on one type of energy source allows you the space to really go into the specifics to properly expand your writing. [18] X Research source
• Picking a specific topic can also help speed up the research process, as you may have a better time finding specific, applicable sources than if your topic was too broad.

Expert Q&A

You might also like.

• ↑ https://libguides.lmu.edu/c.php?g=324079&p=2174109
• ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/essay-structure
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/brainstorming/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/engagement/ged_preparation/part_2_lessons_1_5/index.html
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/audience/
• ↑ Alicia Cook. Professional Writer. Expert Interview. 11 December 2020.
• ↑ https://www.library.georgetown.edu/tutorials/research-guides/15-steps
• ↑ https://www.jstor.org/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/resources.html
• ↑ https://www.iup.edu/writingcenter/writing-resources/organization-and-structure/descriptive-writing/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/mechanics/sentence_clarity.html
• ↑ https://libguides.lmu.edu/c.php?g=323167&p=2173967

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Why Do I Write Essays Last Minute: Understanding the Psychology Behind It

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Do you ever find yourself waiting until the last minute to write an essay? If so, you’re not alone. 

The last-minute rush is common among college students, regardless of whether they’re in high school, college or completing their Master’s.

Procrastination is a common issue among students when it comes to writing essays. The temptation to pull an all-nighter right before the deadline can be strong, but this often leads to low-quality work and unsatisfactory grades.

You might be asking yourself – "Why can’t I start writing earlier,” Why does it take a looming deadline to motivate me to write" or “How do I break the cycle of last-minute essay writing."

Why do I take so much time to write an essay?

It's normal to take a lot of time to write an essay. However, when it takes too long, it could be because of a lack of motivation, a perfectionism mentality, or a lack of clarity and organization. Instead of writing everything at once, try to break it down into smaller tasks. You'll be surprised by how much you can accomplish in less time.

This article explores the psychology behind why you write essays last minute and offers practical solutions for finishing your essay on time, along with expert insights and first-hand student tips.

Investigating the Complexities of Last-Minute Essay Writing from a Psychological Perspective

You may find it hard to write essays when you have ample time for several psychological reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons and their solutions.

Are you one of those who feel anxious when they try to start an essay early? You set it aside for later, and before you know it, you find yourself rushing to complete it at the last minute, sacrificing the quality of your essay and stressing yourself out unnecessarily.

One of the main reasons why students procrastinate is anxiety.

You may feel anxious because you’re overwhelmed by the essay requirements, unsure how to start, or worried about not earning a good grade. While it’s normal to feel anxious when facing a new task, sometimes it can get out of hand. Anxiety can prevent you from starting a writing task or keep you from finishing it.

Solution: Break the essay down

Try breaking down the essay into smaller, manageable tasks to overcome anxiety.

Start by identifying key components of the essay, such as the introduction, body, and conclusion. Then, focus on each section at a time and aim to complete it before moving on to the next.

“Dividing a challenging essay into smaller, more achievable tasks has been a game-changer for me. By taking it one section at a time, I feel less overwhelmed and more in control of the writing process,” says Jeremy, a Master’s student.

Making a detailed outline of your paper beforehand will also be helpful, as this will reduce anxiety once you start writing.

2. Fear of failure

Another common cause of last-minute rush is the fear of failure. You may worry that you won’t be able to write a good essay or that your writing won’t meet your professor’s expectations. 

This can be particularly problematic for perfectionists or those with very high expectations.

Solution: Change your mindset

To overcome this fear, it's important to change your mindset from "I must succeed" to "I will do my best." Recognize that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process and that getting feedback from your professor can help you improve.

While changing your mindset is more of a long-term solution, what do you do when time is running out, and you’re crippled with fear? You turn to an online essay writing service such as Writers Per Hour .

Our team of experienced writers is committed to providing you with timely delivery of 100% original and plagiarism-free essays. We offer more than just research and writing services – our experts can also edit and rewrite your paper to meet your specific requirements.

If you are pressed for time, our fast essay writers are available to deliver papers within 24, 16, 8, or even 5 hours, ensuring that you meet your deadlines without compromising quality.

3. Chronic procrastinator 

The inability to manage time effectively is another common reason behind last-minute essays.

If you’re stuck in the habit of delaying tasks until the last minute, you may find it hard to write your essays on time. Maybe you’re the type of person who derives their motivation from the deadline panic!

Solution: Utilize time-management tools and techniques

If you’ve been asking yourself, “ How do I stop procrastinating on my writing assignments? ”

The solution is to start writing an essay as soon as it’s assigned. Try using time management techniques like the Pomodoro method— working for 25 minutes and taking a break for 5 minutes.

Also, utilize time-management tools like a planner, a calendar, or a daily to-do list to help you stay focused and motivated. This can help you complete tasks within a specific time frame to avoid procrastination.

“I've found that creating a detailed to-do list is an effective way to beat procrastination and stay on track. Break down your essay into chunks and set specific deadlines for each one. This will help you stay motivated and focused and avoid the temptation to put off the work until the last minute,” advises Anne, our expert writer.

4. Perfectionism

Perfectionism is the enemy of progress in many cases. While it’s natural to want to do your best, perfectionism is a trap that can prevent you from starting or even completing tasks.

Wanting to submit a perfect essay can lead to overthinking, rewriting, and delaying the final product. Remember: submitting an imperfect essay on time is better than submitting a perfect one late.

Solution: Set realistic standards

The solution for perfectionism is to set reasonable standards for your work and be willing to accept feedback.

It’s essential to understand that writing is not a one-shot attempt but a process that involves continuous improvement. Revising papers is also a regular part of the writing process. 

Remember that making mistakes is natural, so instead of striving for perfection, aim for progress.

5. Task aversion

Sometimes, you may find yourself in a time crunch due to sheer task aversion. You may simply not enjoy writing essays or find the task tedious. You may also find the essay topic challenging, or you may not be feeling confident in your writing skills.

Solution: Make it enjoyable

To overcome task aversion, try finding ways to make essay writing more enjoyable. For instance, you can choose a topic that interests you, write in an inspiring environment like a coffee shop, or reward yourself after completing the essay.

If the essay topic is very challenging, consider seeking help from professors or tutors for a fresh perspective and guidance.

6. Lack of preparation

Another reason for writing essays last-minute is lack of preparation. Maybe you don’t understand the essay requirements clearly, or simply underestimate how much time it will take to complete.

For instance, if you are tasked with writing a ToK exhibition paper on a complex topic, you may not realize that it requires a lot of research and analysis beforehand, leading you to leave it until the last minute.

Solution: Prepare well beforehand

To combat this, take time to read the essay prompt thoroughly, research the subject matter, and brainstorm ideas before diving in.

Identify and bookmark all the relevant sources you’ll use for reference when you start writing. Also, take down notes as you research to avoid cramming.

Once you’re well prepared, set aside specific times to work on your essay and break it down into smaller manageable steps.

7. Uncertainty

Writing a full essay can be an uphill task if you’re uncertain how to approach it. Maybe the topic sounds quite unfamiliar, or you don’t understand some aspects of the essay prompt.

When you don’t know where to start or feel overwhelmed by the task, it’s easy to put it off until the last minute.

Solution: Reach out for clarity

To overcome uncertainty, you can always write to your professor, asking for clarification. They’ll certainly help you understand any confusing aspects of the assignment.

Alternatively, you can discuss the essay prompt with your classmates to get their perspectives before you dive into writing.

“ I remember one time when I was really struggling with an essay assignment. I just couldn't seem to wrap my head around the essay question, and I was feeling very unsure about how to proceed. Finally, I decided to approach my professor and ask for help.

My professor was incredibly understanding and supportive. She took the time to walk me through the essay question and provided me with some helpful resources that I could use to research and write the essay.

Thanks to her guidance and support, I was able to kickstart the essay with confidence, ” shares IB student Mark.

8. Lack of interest in the topic

Let’s face it: some topics just aren’t interesting to write about! If the subject matter of the essay doesn’t appeal to you, it can be tempting to put it off until the last possible moment.

However, you’ll only end up cutting it close, which is a recipe for disaster.

Solution: Make correlations

To address this issue, find a way to relate the topic to your personal interests or career aspirations.

Can you connect it to a current event or a larger societal issue you care about? Is there any way the topic impacts you directly or indirectly? Writing an essay can be much easier if you can relate to the topic in real life.

9. Fear of negative feedback

Sometimes we procrastinate because we fear receiving negative feedback or criticism of our work. While it's natural to want to avoid harsh criticism, remember constructive feedback is essential for growth and improvement.

Solution: Embrace feedback

Instead of being afraid of negative feedback, embrace it as an opportunity to learn and improve your writing skills .

Reach out to your professor, family, or friends for feedback and ask for specific areas you can improve on. Then, incorporate that feedback to improve your essays and boost your confidence in writing.

10. Poor prioritization

Finally, poor prioritization and time management skills can cause us to procrastinate essays until the eleventh hour!

Maybe you’ve wondered, “ What's wrong with me that I can't manage my time better? "

When you have a lot on your plate, putting off the most unpleasant tasks until the last possible moment can be tempting. You may find yourself prioritizing other tasks (e.g., socializing or watching Netflix) over your essays.

Solution: Learn to prioritize

To curb this issue, learn to prioritize tasks and write down a daily priority list from the most important to the least important tasks.

Set realistic deadlines for each task and stick to them, giving yourself reward breaks after completing every task.

How to stay awake to write an essay?

If you want to stay awake to write an essay, drink lots of water and eat healthy snacks like fruits and nuts to keep your energy levels up. Also, take small breaks occasionally and stretch your legs to improve blood circulation. Finally, listen to some upbeat music and drink a cup of coffee to stimulate your brain and improve concentration.

Now you have it! If you’ve been wondering why it’s so hard to start your essays on time, you could be a victim of one or two of the above culprits.

Waiting for the last-minute rush is a bad habit that can lead you to earn poor grades. Fortunately, procrastination is a habit that can be broken, though it takes time and effort.

By understanding the psychological reasons why we procrastinate, you can implement effective strategies to help you overcome the last-minute syndrome. Ultimately, you’ll become a more productive and confident essay writer.

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7 Steps to Stop Overthinking Your Writing

Writers are often known as thinkers. Indeed, we’re often proud of the connotation. We spend a lot of time in our heads. We love to read. We research like we love it (because we do). And we know a lot (though usually not quite as much as we think we do).

However, thinking and writing—especially creative writing such as storytelling—can sometimes seem strangely out of balance. As much as writers may identify as thinkers, we usually prefer the actual act of writing to be less about thinking and more about  flowing .

What we’re talking about is “thinking” in the sense of active and logical thinking. Naturally, we are thinking when the words are flowing, but in those moments it often seems less that we are thinking the thoughts and more that the thoughts are thinking us . When we take too much control, it ceases to work that way.

And that’s a problem—because the more a writer learns about  how to write and  how stories work, the more conscious our thinking becomes. Sometimes this reaches the crisis where writing becomes a lot of work simply because we are doing all the work. We’re the ones doing all the thinking, rather than just being the conduit and letting the thoughts think us.

Susan Geiger recently messaged me on Patreon about this all-too-common conundrum:

I have a problem, a serious one: I am too serious. I love writing and stories in general. However, I have thought so much about plot development, character arcs, theme, story structure, etc., that I’m a bit uptight when I write. I have effectively zapped the joy out of it. I am so tense when I write and put so much pressure on myself that my serious attitude has leaked into the writing itself, leaving the story utterly humorless. If you have any advice on how to relax and lighten up in writing again, I would greatly appreciate it.

Not long after, I received a similar email from David Fraser:

Have noticed my tendency to over-complicate. Overthink. Maybe you would consider writing a post…

I figured I better write the post! If nothing else, maybe I’ll learn a thing or two myself. 😉

7 Important Transformations to Stop Overthinking Your Writing

I love thinking. I love it just as much in its own right as writing. But it does have a tendency to run away with itself and become overthinking. One my favorite ditties, gleaned from a Facebook meme years ago:

If you’re happy and you know it, overthink.

If you’re happy and you know it, then your brain will surely blow it—overthink!

Conquering Writer’s Block and Summoning Inspiration (Amazon affiliate link)

We can easily find many tips and tricks for seeking inspiration and powering through writer’s block . Most, however, are quick prescriptions aimed to overcome the symptoms rather than the ailment itself. In reality, the problems of overthinking your writing are both the result of and a contribution to the larger challenge of living a creative life —particularly in what is an adamantly head-oriented culture.

I have given much thought to this over the years (the irony of which is not lost…). As I’ve written about elsewhere, I know I have a lot of journey left on this road . But in response to Susan and David’s query, here are some things I’m learning about how you can stop overthinking your writing.

1. Slay the Perfectionist

The logical brain wants things to be… logical. Logic, taken it its furthest extent, demands perfection. But perfection is only theoretical and therefore logically unobtainable. Still, we strive. Indeed, perfectionism is ingrained in the writing culture , stemming understandably from the desire to get a story “right” so it can be successfully published.

There is a balance here to be sure. We  need our rational brains turned on in order to write, and certainly we need them in order to learn how to write well (see #5 below). But somehow the parasitic perfectionistic part of ourselves always figures out a way to burrow so deeply into our “logic” that we have a hard time thinking rationally without also striving for perfection.

The perfectionist—the inner critic—is in fact a great enemy of the creative storyteller. After all, stories themselves are tales of our imperfections . Our words and our pages are where we capture all the messiness of our lives. Only in embracing that messiness can we be truly creative.

2. Resurrect the Child

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been saying “stories are my language.” But that’s not strictly true. Stories were the language of my child self. But, no, even that is not quite true. Stories were the lived experience of my child life. I didn’t tell stories. I lived them. I was always inside a story.

I only started writing because at some point in my early teens, I wanted to record some of my favorites so I wouldn’t forget them. The irony is I have forgotten my stories—my  true stories—precisely because I started writing them down and then became obsessed (albeit joyfully obsessed) with  understanding the principles of storytelling and writing .

The child self doesn’t care about rules, doesn’t care about impressing others, certainly doesn’t care about being a commercial success. In stark contrast to the perfectionist’s mentality of scarcity, the child creates from an endless well of personal abundance.

Creating back then wasn’t about “making writing a job” or laboring at sentence structure or striving for original ideas . Creating in childhood was about having fun. When you start overthinking your writing, the fun slips away. And when the fun comes back? The overthinking stops.

3. Reprogram the Ego

I think the ego gets a bad rap. We  need it. It’s our interface with the world. It helps us survive, helps us communicate with others, helps us fit in or stand out, helps us get stuff done . But I daresay all of us have gotten some bad code in there somewhere. And the ego is single-minded. It’s going to run that code all day every day and twice on Sundays—if we let it.

I like to envision my ego as the little cleaner robot “Mo” in Pixar’s Wall-E . Like Mo, it valiantly and obsessively pursues the job it’s been given—and gets very frustrated when it’s knocked off course. But at some point its very durability causes it to become outmoded. That’s when I have to stop letting it run on autopilot, take it into the shop, and update its programs beyond 1.0.

In this Age of the Internet, writers have been given the incredible opportunity to become successful entrepreneurs. But when we plug this opportunity (along with our perfectionism) into the ego, it has a tendency to whir right into workaholicism and/or paralysis . Once again, this is often driven by a scarcity/fear mentality.

Ego work is deep work, but learning to find and reprogram outdated or corrupted code can free us up from the fear that often prompts overthinking.

4. Enthrone Your Artist

When I first started writing down my childhood stories, the page was simply an extension of the stage upon which I played out my stories 24/7. But at some point, as my life became less and less embodied and more and more exclusively mental, I started playing less and thinking more. The more I enthroned my Thinker in all other areas of my life, the harder it became to switch modes when writing time rolled around.

Lately, I  have realized that to be able to bring that true  flow of creativity to my time at the page, I must  live in that flow. Indeed, however much I may identify as a writer and think of stories as my creative outlet, my creativity does not have to solely express through my writing.

My writing is not my art. My life is my art.

Every moment is an opportunity for creativity—if we let it flow. We must retrain ourselves—to get out of our heads, to get into our bodies, to experience our five senses, to push past the anxiety into joy. Our creativity contributes to every moment.

Jane Friedman had a great point in her e-letter a few months ago about how even making your bed is an act of creativity—because we do it to make our lives more beautiful. And yet how many of us really think of it that way? We tend to associate making the bed with chores or adulting or avoiding criticism. But is that really why we do it? It certainly doesn’t  have to be why we do it.

5. Honor Your Logician

None of this is to suggest our rational, thinking, logical brains aren’t important—especially in our writing. Writing well is as much a craft as an art. Indeed, the craft of writing is a delight in itself. Most of us come to appreciate the glories of the theories and techniques we study. Indeed, part of the reason we end up overthinking may well be (*raises hand*) because we love thinking about writing . Certainly our inner logician has the ability to offer untold help in improving our communication skills on the page.

We must honor our inner logicians. But it’s best if we can also learn to keep them in the classroom. They are there to teach us, to bring consciousness to our rough skills. But by their very nature, they are  thinkers not  doers . The doing belongs to a different part of us. We must take the lessons our logicians teach us within our mental classrooms and then leave the classrooms to go play in the real world, to get our hands dirty, to see what we can create.

Just because we honor and love our logicians does not mean they get to follow us around, offering commentary on everything we do.

6. Reclaim Your Hunter

As I’ve struggled mightily these last few years with being, as Susan said at the beginning of the post,  too serious in my writing, I’ve realized only recently that it’s because I’ve run out of material. My child self was a hunter and seeker of stories. She went on adventures every day and came back with more ideas than she could ever write. For a long time, my adult self has been living on the waning remnants of that childhood wealth.

I know enough about stories to think of good plots, characters, etc. But I miss the riches of natural inspiration. I don’t want to think up stories. I want to discover them. I want adventures like I used to have.

And yet the adventures that used to be so easy can somehow begin to seem perilous as time goes on—or at least like a lot of work. Indeed, I think that may be the crux of the dilemma: we think creativity should always be as effortless as it was in the beginning. Because it came so easily when we were young or just starting out with our writing, we don’t realize that creativity only emerges when we achieve and maintain certain balances in our lives. Balance requires discipline. And the further out of balance we are—the more our thinking brains have tyrannized over our creative selves—the more discipline it takes to recreate the circumstances we may once have taken for granted.

7. Listen to Your Heart

The head and the heart don’t always communicate with each other. The head talks such a good spiel that sometimes the heart gets convinced to take a backseat in spite of itself. This can look like many things—from writing to the market instead of the stories we’re truly passionate about, to simply doubting our favorite scenes in light of “proper” technique.

But the heart won’t be denied forever. If it doesn’t get to write what it wants, what it loves,  how it wants to write, then it will leave you and your head to your own devices—and sooner or later that turns out to not be nearly as much fun.

Now, of course, the heart doesn’t always  lead us to fun and joy. Sometimes what the heart most wants us to write about are stories that are  far more difficult than those the head so rationally proposes. But the thing the heart brings that the head (bless it) does not is our life’s blood —purpose, meaning, passion. The head can have its say later during revisions. But when we sit down to write, it’s the heart we should be checking in with: “I’m ready. Are you?”

In summary: What I’m learning is that combating overthinking is less about turning the brain off and more about turning everything else on . It’s about leaving the desk, leaving the computer, leaving the Internet (God help us). It’s about seeing, hearing, touching, tasting—with both our outer and inner senses. It’s about remembering how to live every bit as fully as we used to, so we can dream every bit as fully as we used to.

Wordplayers, tell me your opinions! Do you ever struggle to stop overthinking your writing? Why do you think this is? Tell me in the comments!

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K.M. Weiland is the award-winning and internationally-published author of the acclaimed writing guides Outlining Your Novel , Structuring Your Novel , and Creating Character Arcs . A native of western Nebraska, she writes historical and fantasy novels and mentors authors on her award-winning website Helping Writers Become Authors.

Timely as ever 😉 You always seem to post about what I’m struggling with. Of course, now I’m going to go on an internet deep-dive to research how to reprogram my ego… lol

I daresay overthinking is an easy bullseye when addressing writers. 😉 Have fun with your research!

I agree with JLTaylor! Excellent timing, KM!

Thank you for this! I am a dreadful over thinker, and I really appreciate the reminder, this morning, to get out of my head. I’ve been tying myself in knots today about everything I want to get done this week before Thanksgiving (my arbitrary, self-imposed deadline) as well as writing. It is nice to think that digging up the last of the potatoes and scrubbing the kitchen floor can be considered art, and maybe even valuable research. (After all, story people eat potatoes sometimes too…)

Great post, Katie. I think the “aha” revelation is about not deactivating our rationality but activating the other attributes that make us human.

I used to design and start up mineral processing plants. It embodies many of the rational skills a writer employs – production goal & quality targets (premise), strategy (outlining), key unit operations (big moments/plot points), process control plan (character development), etc. And then troubleshooting (editing) when all components don’t mesh as planned. And more troubleshooting. And more. Then it finally all comes together and fills a need (payoff).

I never designed a perfect plant, although each functioned more elegantly, with fewer hiccups, than the one which preceded it. Except, to your point, writing is harder. Much harder. Because a mineral processing plant doesn’t have to connect to a consumer’s brain and provide a vicarious, emotional experience like the stories we long to tell. It requires mind melding and empathy, combined with logic. No pump in any plant I helped build could outperform the heart in volume pumped per unit weight.

I think many of us read your blog and share our thoughts because our quest to write *successfully* feels Tolkienesque. To not write is to die.

@Louis: “Our quest to write *successfully* feels Tolkienesque. To not write is to die.”

Oh wow. So true.

Honestly, the image that comes to mind in regard to digging up potatoes and scrubbing the floor is quite a lovely one. 🙂

I agree! As did mineral processing plants “functioning elegantly.”

Guilty as charged. My lifetime career as an engineer predisposes me to overthinking. I try hard to be a mix first of a planner, and then a pantzer. My latest book has degenerated into excessive planning. This post gives me a kick in the pants butt to loosen up. Thanks.

By the way, your profile shows you in Scottsbluff. I am a few miles west in Denver, Colorado. Hello neighbor.

I hear you. As I contemplate where I want to go with my fiction in the coming New Year, I am wondering if perhaps what I really *need* to do is not writing itself but a focus on refilling my inspiration well. On the one hand, that feels right and fun. On the other hand, the idea of not actively pursuing productivity is massively triggering! I suppose that probably means I should do it. 😉

A fellow writer in my writing group is a lawyer, and he often includes far too meticulous detail, leaving little for readers to create on their own. Then he invariably redeems himself with a closing paragraph or sentence that impels readers to continue – not necessarily a cliff-hanger, but still a distinct driving force. I can ignore the overwriting when I have such a model of closing to emulate.

I really enjoy meditation because it gives you an opportunity to become more aware of your thinking and come to terms with it. I used to overthink things, but do that much less now. Besides writing, it also helps with music. Not to mention life in general.

Writing and “life in general” are so tied up together, I find. 🙂

I love this post, but the main thing that gets in the way of my flow is thinking about the real world. I try to write every day, but some days the pandemic and other current events follow me into my writing world. I feel so much anxiety that I almost feel paralyzed.

I hear you. To the degree you’re able, I highly recommend limiting media consumption. The more rigorously I’ve done this in my life, the commensurately happier I am.

True dat on the media. I’ve eliminated TV from my apartment. All I have is ROKU and my DVD’s. I DO NOT miss the TV at all. I have had TV for close to a year now.

Same here. I only plug in the antennae for the Super Bowl. :p

I read news every morning. 🙁 I’m actually feeling much better today, but I think I’m going to try to have some news-free days. I have this weird social justice thing where I feel like I have to bear witness to horrible things, but I definitely need to back off.

Funny, I have been thinking about this theme all day (and all week). I have always been far too serious and this shows in the first novel I am writing. In fact I got this feedback and I was devastated – it’s so true, of me and my novel!!! So I have invented ‘Pixie’. Pixie lives inside me as a ‘guide’ or even a ‘sub-personality’. She is teaching me how to live more creatively and with greater spontaneity. I rewrote my first chapter, following a bit advice from Pixie, and the energy that came through was amazing. By the way, I may sound mad but I am boringly sane 🙂

Love it! Just the fact that you named your Muse (and named her something so whimsical) is a delightful return to playful creativity.

Love it! Not boring at all and quite sane. Hello, Pixie! What a great story about your effective muse.

This post came at the right moment for me. I hit a bump in my WIP and I’ve been re-reading how-to books, making diagrams and puzzling over my outlines, but not writing. I need to unwind and now I know why.

Yup, I’ve been there a lot this past year.

Oh, wow! I sometimes fall into this, and then realize I need to step back and let the Muse iron out the wrinkles (letting the thoughts think me, as you aptly put it). it doesn’t happen often, but I know we are all subject to it at one time or another. This post is a keeper, and I’ll be sharing it with my writing group.

In addition, I think you are telling us that when dancing with our writing, to let our hearts lead, not our heads.

Exactly. Although the head needs to be an active dancer too. 🙂

When I’m overthinking I find that my work often becomes clever, too clever. To ground it, I get outside and revisit the places I’ve elected to write about in my stories. If that requires a road trip, so much the better! Thanks for your post.

This is a good way to put it–and remedy it.

It’s about balance.

I use my right brain to develop the story. I use my left brain to map it out (i.e., outline). I use my right brain to flesh out the outline. I use my left brain to review and edit my musings. Back and forth until I feel I’m done with it. At least that is how I think it is supposed to be…

However, that being said, after reading all your blogs and buying your books (and others), I can say that I feel, as they say, I am over-egging the pudding. It’s good to have the understanding of the mechanics, but after a time I need to step back and look at the broader picture.

I’m at a point where I am not sure if what I have been doing is good or bad and I need someone with a skilled set of eyes to review my efforts to see if I am on the right path or have I veered over the edge.

That internal nagging voice sows nothing but doubt.

“I use my right brain to develop the story. I use my left brain to map it out (i.e., outline). I use my right brain to flesh out the outline. I use my left brain to review and edit my musings. Back and forth until I feel I’m done with it. At least that is how I think it is supposed to be…”

This is exactly how I’ve always viewed it.

Beta readers are great for offering that needed objectivity. Sometimes the nagging doubt isn’t accurate. It’s helpful if you can identify exactly *what* you’re doubting. If it’s something you can fix, then you can fix it. But if it *is* just a doubt, then realizing that can help you move on.

Thanks, I agree with beta readers helping with the writing.

My doubt has less to do with prose and more to do with theme and structure. Many because my protagonist is no so much “living the lie”, but dragged into the stories conflict from the beginning. The complexity of her part in the plot (and its sequel) make it difficult to follow “the lie versus the need” arc—I think.

Could be she’s on a Flat Arc. Or it could be that it’s not a Hero’s Journey. I’m going to be talking about alternative archetypal arcs in a series next year.

Ah, ha! A flat arc. Maybe I’m trying to put a left foot into a right shoe.

I look forward to that series.

Here’s the link to the Flat Arc series if you’re interested in that right now: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/flat-character-arc-1/

Yay! I love hearing about alternate story arcs! I am all geeky that way. I have a brother who is a music major, and watching him geek out over music theory makes me wonder if that’s what I look like on the outside….

Probably. 😉

“That internal nagging voice sows nothing but doubt.”

This. Exactly this.

I know my story by heart, but when I sit down to write, I doubt that I can ever do it justice anywhere outside my head. Then I panic and don’t write. Or I avoid writing altogether. Overthinking just makes this problem worse.

I need to get out of my own way and just write.

You will never do justice to a story you fail to write.

Just do it. It won’t matter if it is not great. If it isn’t, do it again. It will be better.

The more you write (and read), the better you get. Micheal Angelo’s first work of art wasn’t likely much. If he stopped there, the world would be deprived of something special. If you stop, so will you.

I like this statement best: The head can have its say later during revisions. But when we sit down to write, it’s the heart we should be checking in with: Ken

Honestly, I should probably paste that above my computer as a reminder to myself. :p

Exactly. True, but hard to do. 🙂

Yesssssss!!!!! It’s nice to know I am in such great company. Love to study, research and read about storycrafting, but it is definitely hard to turn off that critic when you want the creativity to flow.

Great post, as usual! Kris

It’d be nice if the different parts of ourselves had a handy on/off switch, wouldn’t it? :p

AMEN. If you find the switch, I’m sure we’ll be reading about it in a future article. 🙂

I can so identify with listening to the critical voices in my life (especially my own :)). I long to go back to my days of improv in college. We had such a blast. Sure, we had seeds of ideas from current events and audience members but the fun came from storytelling in the moment.

So, today my word picture is that writing is like fudge not concrete. Concrete requires all the forms and shapes to be in place before you pour the wet material into place. You scrape around the edges a bit to clean it up but then you let it sit there, trusting that the forms give you the desired final result.

Ah, but fudge! Have you ever been to one of those fancy fudge shops where you can watch them making the stuff right there in front of you? They cook the butter and milk and sugar and flavors in a giant copper pot, stirring and stirring until the whole place smells of chocolate or cinnamon or peanut butter. When it reaches the proper consistency, they pour the thick liquid out onto a huge marble-top table that slowly leeches away the heat from the sauce. They walk around the table with big, wide paddles, keeping the fudge from oozing over the edge, folding it back in on itself as it thickens and begins to take its final form.

All through the process of cooling and shaping you could take a taste of the fudge and get that delightful sweet sensation on your tongue. But at the end, the rich brick, thick enough to hold its shape, can be sliced and squared and enjoyed in small chunks because the flavor and texture are so intense and so smooth that just a little bit goes a long, long way.

I have come to realize that my WIP has the basic story that I want to tell. It needs some reshaping, providing a little more context and foreshadowing to draw the reader into one of the two major story arcs. There are little tweaks in dialogue and description as I work my way through my revisions going from version 1.0 to 2.0. I’m learning about the kind of structure that helps my story as opposed to what would just turn it into a cookie cutter version of someone else’s idea. I’m also learning that I am still a very young writer.

So, Happy Thanksgiving, all. Katie, you and your blog are one of the things that I am thankful for this year. I have learned some wonderful things here and there are more to come! Journey on, young warrior. The paths through the storyverse are many and varied and beautiful and intense. And I’m pretty sure they have places for some really good food along the way. 😀

Of course, the problem with fudge is that you might get tempted into eating it all before you finish shaping it. 😉

Thanks for the kind words! I am certainly thankful for you and all the other Wordplayers out there too!

Well, in the writing/fudge analogy, eating would correspond to reading the story. Sounds like you might still be struggling with the scarcity mindset there. Fudge for everyone! 😛

So true. Turn everything else back on, or maybe turn on what wasn’t turned on before. I always go back to 2008-10 when one major event after another shattered my life. It culminated in my having an appointment with death and being pulled back in the ER hours short of making that appointment. Years of recovery followed.

In the aftermath, my creative self has flourished. Yes, it’s as if in the midst of all the changes and gasping for air that wasn’t there, that all my “off” switches were turned to “on.” I have to barricade my door to keep story ideas out. If I allowed them in I’d be reduced to creative paralysis. Me, the woman who dreaded the mere thought of revising, now launches into revising with a smile. Each moment is relishing every step in the process. Some of it might be because I’m older, and certainly some of it is because I was given a second chance, but with each passing week writing is becoming more fun.

Because of my lung damage I’ve been in lockdown since March 18th. I’ve watched little video, consumed more books, and been productive beyond my wildest imaginings. This is what rediscovering (or discovering for the first time) the fun in writing looks like. Your post captured it and only made me more grateful for each moment. Thank you.

This is an amazing story! Very sorry about your health struggles, but what a triumphant return. 🙂

I am always overthinking. :/ Overthinking is my biggest weakness I do believe.

Just don’t overthink whether overthinking is your biggest weakness. 😉

Ha ha! So true for us overthinkers. I think there should be another OA: Overthinkers Anonymous.

KM, WOW! It’s like you wrote this article/blog TO ME, for everybody else’s benefit. Because of the way I lived my childhood, of course I’d end up a perfectionist. I must learn to turn off that perfectionism in my writing. I’m guilty of all your seven points at one time or the other. I have rewritten my opening five times because if I’ve learned one thing, I’ve learned that the opening is the most important part of the book. But it has been at a fairly high cost – time. As a perfectionist, it is extremely hard to write something that isn’t perfect. Many times I’ve had to literally quit writing and holler, “STOP it!” You ought to see a page of writing. It looks like a road map, what with all the margin side notes, arrows, cross-outs, additions, and, and, and, and ad infinitum. Many times times I get lost in the arrows. LOL. So thanks for this post. It is uncanny that whatever I seem to be struggling with, I head for your site and “BAM,” there’s a post that speaks to the problem. You and Jerry Jenkins are my go-to help. I’ve gone through his Novel Blue Blueprint Course and learned a lot. It is where I learned of you and your site. I have a number of your books on writing and structure. Anyway, I like how Jerry has the capacity to write one day and edit the next. I am trying hard to follow that regimen, but I am getting better at it. One final comment, I take my writing seriously, NOT THAT OTHERS DON’T, believe me. So I join others herein who take their writing seriously as well. (Pro Writing Aid doesn’t like the two words “as well either.” But I think I’ll leave them in, this time. Sorry, for the long comment but I’m a writer, what can I say.” LOL. God bless.

I think there’s a high percentage of perfectionists among writers. For whatever reason, it seems to go with the territory. But the good news is we’re all in good company and can learn from each other’s experience. 🙂

Thank God for this post! I haven’t been commenting on any of your posts, K.M., since I’ve been going crazy about this short story contest I’m entering for 2021. I’ve been super panicked when I try writing and I end up just scratching off every single idea. I know my stories aren’t that bad, but I want it to be perfect so so so much that I’m just going nuts!

This helped so much. You have no idea. 🙂

Good luck in the contest! I’m sure whatever you write–whether it wins or not–will offer the rewards of new experiences and lessons learned.

Wow, K.M. You really struck a chord with this post today!

If there’s a universal problem among writers, I have a feeling this is it! :p

Wonderful, as always, KM. I relate, as I suspect most of us do, to the problem. I love the childhood analogy…which spoke to my heart. Section #3 on Ego? I have no idea what that means. I read it several times. I watched Wall-e. Still no light coming on in that regards and now… help me!… I am positive I can’t ‘get it’ because I am ‘overthinking’ it! LOL.

I’m talking about the ego in the more classical sense (and I’m certainly no expert). These days, when we talk about “ego,” we often use it, rather incorrectly, as a reference to arrogance. Really, the ego is a (theorized) part of our psychological makeup which is often the most surface or personality-oriented. It’s the part of us that interacts with the world and, as such, often gets out of touch with other, deeper parts. It’s a fascinating study!

I feel like I overthink all the time because I just took my first writing class this year and my brain is overwhelmed by learning the craft. It’s hard to stay in creative mode when I worry if I’m making any progress with all the do’s and dont’s of storytelling.

The logical, thinking side *is* important to writing. Just take it slow and be kind to yourself. It can be overwhelming in the beginning, but it all starts to fall into place with time and experience.

Wow! Thank you, Katie, for that link. I gobble that up now (pun intended). 🙂

Happy Thanksgiving! 😉

The link you sent has turned into another purchase (Character Arcs). 🙂

And my wife and I are working on preparing for Thanks Giving right now. Happy Thanks Given for you and your family!

Think Gratitude Mindset…

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! I hope you enjoy the book. 🙂

Hi KMW You got that in one! My ‘constipation’ (aka overthinking) comes in the editing phase where I read my flowing, creative stuff and begin overthinking structure etc.etc. I know there are whole sections that I should sacrifice but I get caught up in the small details. I sit there wondering whether if I just add a new sentence here, take that paragraph out, rewrite it – the list goes on. Even though Iove them, I really need to kill my darlings and get it over with.

I recommend a “graveyard file”–a document where you can stick your darlings, so you can try the story without them, but easily retrieve them if you change your mind.

Having read a few of your books and others before setting out on my own path, I can’t help but think that you are toying with the idea that there is a trade off between focusing on the plan, the outline, and the plot and letting the story flow out of you without a fixed idea or intention of where it’s going and how it’s going to get there. When you tap into the flow do you trust where it takes you? Perhaps, after all these years of focusing on the plan and on the technique, you have realized that it reduces your capacity to tap into the flow of your stories that are waiting to be told.

Yep, that about sums it up. 🙂

Though I haven’t left a comment in some time, I’m still listening to these diligently 🙂 I just had to pop in to say this one really strikes a chord. You frame the problem so well here and I’m pretty sure it’s a struggle every creative faces in their journey, regardless of craft. Thanks for taking the time to both think and share about it with us!

Thanks for chiming in! 🙂 Yes, I rather tend to think that the creative life is a constant spiral revolving around an evermore integrated relationship between order and chaos/creativity, planning and flowing, logic and inspiration.

In reading this I was struck by two things. First, some types of overthinking bare a striking resemblance to multi-tasking, which many people try to do, but doesn’t work very well and is a major contributor to workplace stress. It’s not a perfect comparison, frankly I find I need a little bit of my editor voice while I’m drafting lest the first draft be so mushy that it’s useless. Really, what I think I should strive for for is to make my different voices an orchestra, each pitching in when needed, and harmonizing, but not fighting for the spotlight. Theme voice, plot voice, structure voice, line-editor voice, drafting voice, all of these are valuable every step of the way. The quandary is how to find the conductor voice which makes the activity both fun and productive. You definitely have good thoughts about searching for the baton.

Now that I’ve written that, my second observation seems less interesting – avoiding perfectionism comes down to accepting ourselves as imperfect children of God (or whatever mystical force brings you comfort).

Thanks again Katie. I’m still not sure I have Curly engaged, and somewhat fearful he’s who has my conductor’s baton.

I think it’s a great analogy! And, yes, please don’t give Curly the baton…

Thank you Katie, very helpful. I have a similar problem to Max in his comment, just above. I can sit down without even a character or much of a plot and just start blasting out words. And have been a writer for 30 years for magazines and am learning fiction’s a different pair of rollerblades altogether. I’ve written fiction along the way but the problem I have with free-flowing and just blasting words onto the page is that when I go back into the editing mode the left brain really goes nuts. I find this gets me to a point where I don’t trust my original instincts anymore, or I end up throwing so much out that I’m in danger of la-hoo za-hing the original heart and drive of the story, and my joy in writing it. It’s like my critic/editor becomes a little too or a lot too fine pointed about making it just “right”. I like the suggestion you made about a garbage file. Or whatever you called it. I use Scrivener which is an excellent program. And it has a snapshot feature where you can save different phases of your editing and re-examine and recall them at any time too. They’re always there in the corpus of the program. Still, and I really enjoyed your piece here today, it’s a dilemma for me to detect when I’m going over the exhaustion line and my brain is just spinning its wheels but I keep making changes and making changes and making changes. I don’t know whether to be more deliberate in the beginning, in other words to some degree have a loose working plot, or to just live with it and quit punishing myself for endlessly rewriting until I feel like I’ve got it right. I look back at stories or books I wrote in the 1980s for example and I see all kinds of “mistakes”. And I remember how hard I worked on them back then. Of course there is a lot to be said for seasoning as a human being and as a writer. But the hyper editing/perfectionism for me is the one trait that really savages my enthusiasm to keep going back at it day after day. It’s almost like never being able to be satisfied. I think that’s the biggest challenge I have in my writing. Now I’m gonna go back and edit this so it’s clear, ha ha!

I think you’ve highlighted why overthinking is such an endemic struggle for writers. At some point, we all end up in the throes of doubt and hyper-criticism of our own work. And that experience stinks. And we totally want to avoid it the next time around. So the overthinking in the editing phase may then turn into overthinking in the outlining or drafting stages.

The key, as ever, is not to *avoid* thinking but to learn think accurately. I find that much of the angst in the editing phase is either because we don’t know what we’re doing or we don’t know that we *do* know what we’re doing. If we can get very clear about what is *actually* going on, it can be helpful in allowing our thinking to do its job without kicking unnecessarily into high gear.

I talk about that some in this post: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/thinking-clearly/

I find this argument fascinating…that when we revise, we don’t know what we’re doing, or we do.

It brings to mind a story a docent at a museum related to us about a famed painter, Piet Mondrian, was it? who famously entered museums and retouched his paintings that were already hanging on display, and the curators would have to beg him to stop! But he knew what he was doing, constantly evolving his theme into a purity of line and balance, and he was never satisfied. Which reminds me of another story of a kindergarten art teacher whose students, all of them, turned out the most incredible pieces. She was interviewed on NPR years ago and the host asked her, what’s her secret? How did she get all of her students to create such magnificent work? She said, “I guess I just know when to take the paper and crayons away so they don’t wreck it.”

I wonder if we employed a muse, like “Pixie” mentioned in a previous comment, if that would help us know when to stop revising/overthinking. We might let go before overthinking ruins the piece, or help us continue when we’ve barely started.

How to restart the heart though? That’s what I’m struggling with. I’ve found lately (pre-COVID even) that writing hasn’t felt fun. I’ve been working hard to learn about structure, to polish and edit and try to publish – but doing that I think has led me away from the pure creativity (not to mention the fun of constant rejections). So I’ve slowly realized that my heart has left, like you said, and I’m not sure how to convince it to come back! Thanks for giving us a lot to think about!

Honestly, that’s what I’m working on too. Let me know when you figure it out. I’ll do the same! 😀

For now though, the message that keeps coming through clearly to me is: Patience.

I do not like this message, but there it is. :p

Hi Cecily, I hope it’s okay to jump in. A couple of years ago I had three really horrible reviews on GR. They were friends and I could see their ‘mean girl’ discussion as well as the reviews. It was humiliating and traumatic. I almost did something really stupid and I also stopped writing for about seven months. Then an author friend gave me a copy of Stephen Pressfield’s The War of Art. It’s excellent. It’ll get you back in the fight and doing what you love again. I hope this helps you. It literally saved my life.

Reading your post leads me to look at the problem in a different way. I do agree that we can and do obsess to the point of stasis. A part of my brain always seems to be noodling over a question, subplot, or conversation in the story I’m working on. Sometimes it’s consciously, sometimes deeper. On the other hand, a number of your seven points seem to have some flavor of overthinking.

It seems to me that a key to take advantage of overthinking is to use your suggestions to immerse ourselves into the world we are trying to expose. As you say, many of us put a lot of effort into outlines and world building. But so much more lives in our imagination than we can put down on paper. The detailed history of the universe we put together rolls around our subconscious.

Story structure and craft are the physics and natural order that expose our story. But when I’m floundering, it helps to drop into my story and use those tools in kind of a virtual way to navigate the complexities around me. In other words, I try to watch what is happening and understand the underlying reasons.

For example, it may be that the elderly Queen has a soft spot in her heart for the diplomat from a rival kingdom because he reminds her of a lover when she was young. That pushes her to a decision which leads to set of complications, and finally to war that destroys her realm. We may choose to include some of those incidents as beats in our story. But there are a complex set of dynamics behind each one that will never see the light of day.

We, as authors, owe it to ourselves and our readers to delve into as many of those possibilities as we reasonably can. A masterful example is The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien (as well as his notes and unfinished works).

I guess the point I’m trying to make is you are right on both points. Overthinking can become a big problem. It can also be a way to enhance our understanding of our work.

By the way, this method might also be useful when we hit that mountain called writer’s block. Some random character or situation in our imaginary worlds may spur an idea to explore – maybe even unrelated to our current efforts. We might not choose to write it as a story, but I think that is where we can rediscover the fun.

Be safe and Happy Holidays (as well as we can in these days of COVID).

This is great, and I agree. I absolutely realize that in writing this post, it is a case of the blind trying to lead the blind. 😉

Great post. I’m finding that the more I learn about the craft of writing, the more overthinking I’m doing: “Is this opening chapter good enough? Is there a great hook?” and on and on. Being an engineer, mathematician, and software geek, I’m predisposed to logic and overthinking. After self-publishing a historical fiction novel, I’m struggling to find the creativity need to launch a viable sequel. I’m thinking of turning to fantasy because as a former D&D dungeon master and RPG gamer, I find creating worlds to be a lot of fun. It’s where my heart is I guess. Am I overthinking again?!

I think (!) this is a very common experience among writers. We run on instinct for a bit, realize we need to learn some more, then become temporarily too dependent on our learnings, then balance out with the instinct again.

From a fellow software, mathematics and engineering geek, its like when you really understand that a clean compile doesn’t mean that the program really works. Only after you have understood the goal of the program (and if you are smart, actually used your own code), then you are ready to improve the code. In writing terms, read your story and ask how you *as a reader* would feel about the story as written. I wouldn’t say that your concern for the effect on the reader is overthinking. Just engage your users for feedback early and often. And you qualify as a user in this scenario.

Brilliant, brilliant article. Thank you. I write in the midst of a hurricane. The ideas flow, the words pour. But later, when I come back to edit, I find that this word isn’t quite right, or that comma is in the wrong place, or this sentence is way too long and needs to be broken up because it breaks all the rules. And suddenly, the hurricane has stopped, the storm has abated and there was nothing to say after all. Damn! I over-thought it out of existence.

It’s a balance for sure–and a tricky one sometimes.

I’m so glad you wrote this and that I read it! I’ve read so much about the “rules of the road” when it comes to writing fiction that it scared me out of my journey. Now I feel I can start again and worry about any signs I missed later during revision.

Thank you so much!

Hear, hear!

Struggling with this a lot lately–or rather, dropped writing for a bit because the struggle was getting exhausting and interfering too much with the rest of life. I’ve learned a TON about story structure, character arcs etc in recent years but haven’t actually written much prose in that time, so I feel like although I know exactly what I want to write, I forgot how to do it. So I’d spend a writing session staring at the page, knowing exactly which bits of emotion, action and information I need to put into words next but not finding the words.

I like your conclusion that ‘combating overthinking is less about turning the brain off and more about turning everything else on’. I find the same approach can work nicely with changing habits: focus not on what I want to stop doing but what I want to do instead. I hope I can make it work for this too!

I think sometimes we have to take the time to let what we’ve learned process, percolate, and return to a more “habitual” level where it doesn’t require as much of our cognitive space upfront.

I think you’re right, I’ve noticed that happening before. I may also have had some other life stuff, stress, etc getting in the way. I’ll let the writing theory percolate a bit more, sort through the other stuff, and then see if my brain wants to do prose again!

Dear Anna, your website is brilliant! So creative. I love it! And the sketches for your kingdom of Mennistriam… “I’ve learned a TON about story structure, character arcs etc in recent years but haven’t actually written much prose in that time, so I feel like although I know exactly what I want to write, I forgot how to do it.” Oh goodness, get writing, girl! To hell with all those shoulds and shouldn’ts. Your characters are itching to stretch and play. You’ve created the setting, now let them free!

Thank you! That website is my perpetually unfinished design/coding playground, always lovely to hear that someone enjoys it!

Oh, don’t worry, they’ve been playing… I’ve been experimenting with writing more overview-to-detail than front-to-back (like the snowflake method but different) and it seems to work great for the way my brain works. And the characters have a lot to say at every step of the process! I actually have a finished version of the shortest Mennistriam story that’s somewhat between an outline and a very ugly first draft; the point where I’m having trouble is turning that into reader-comprehensible prose. I can do it, as my writing group’s enthusiasm about the first scene shows, it’s just taking too much effort at the moment. That may have to do with other areas of life rather than writing, so I’m focusing on those. Hopefully the writing lessons and insights will use that time to process and percolate as Katie suggests above!

Ah, glad to hear you ARE writing. I thought you had stopped. I hope your creativity percolates, as you say. Good luck!

I love this: “…stories themselves are tales of our imperfections. Our words and our pages are where we capture all the messiness of our lives.”

Yes! I often find that the words in my journal leap of the page and I feel inspired by them, but when I take a closer look, my logician says, that’s a poorly constructed sentence.

And, “We must honor our inner logicians. But it’s best if we can also learn to keep them in the classroom.”

I agree, because the logician often destroys messy creativity, but does that mean we need to keep a bit of messiness in our work? When I edit, it’s a bit like having OCD. I want to make sure every dangling modifier and misplaced participle is removed, sure, but what if that destroys the tone, the easy breezy feel of the piece?

Or are we just talking about letting the creative juices flow first, and then entering the classroom to clean up our work? That we must balance recess and playground time with classroom instruction? Never just all classroom or all recess? Because we need both?

I guess when I’ve edited the life out of my work, then I need a bit a recess. I need to put that particular chapter away for a week (or longer?), give it a rest and come back to it with fresh eyes, like going on vacation and returning to work renewed.

Wonderful article. Thank you, K.M.. And now, I shall go back and read all the other comments!

It’s been fun reading all the comments. Thanks again!

I think it’s helpful to remember the old saying about how “in writing, there are no rules, only guidelines.”

When I met my husband more than 15 years ago, he used to say “Lighten up, Francis” to me. Oy. We were both lawyers then and, if I’m being perfectly honest, lightening up wasn’t a way to succeed in that field. I worked mainly on corporate/tax matters. Out of place commas could be a huge problem, so I was constantly in fear of making mistakes at work.

When I had my son (who is now seven), I took time off from the law and all of a sudden I started hearing little snippets in my head. It took me a while to realize this was, my GOD could it be possible, my IMAGINATION working again after years of stifling my creativity with political science courses and then law school/bar exam/billing hours.

I started writing a novel during my son’s naps. This was the same time I found your website and began soaking in all of the information I didn’t even know I didn’t know. And so my lawyer’s brain took over my creativity from a very early stage in my journey.

I’ve been writing creatively off and on since 2014 (mostly off this year thanks to my kids being at home with me all day every day and sucking up all of my emotional lifeforce). This year has been difficult for me, BUT it’s taught me a huge lesson. One you so perfectly pointed out in your post when you said this:

“Because it came so easily when we were young or just starting out with our writing, we don’t realize that creativity only emerges when we achieve and maintain certain balances in our lives. Balance requires discipline. And the further out of balance we are—the more our thinking brains have tyrannized over our creative selves—the more discipline it takes to recreate the circumstances we may once have taken for granted.”

When I was feeling at my most creative, brimming with excitement about a story percolating in my head, it was when I was training for a marathon. I was moving my body constantly. I was healthy and fitter than I had been since I played volleyball in college. My kids were also in school a few days a week, so not only could I write in the morning before they woke up but I also had time to exercise and let my mind wander a bit while they were in the good care of nurturing teachers.

This is why what you said about maintaining balance is so meaningful to me. I’ve been doing the willpower old boy thing to myself this year. When the pandemic hit I was about half way through my novel (the first one I’ve actually tried to finish). There’s never a good time for a global health crisis, but the timing was very complicated in terms of where I was in my writing journey. I was at a difficult point in my novel and pushing through the middle of a novel (so I’ve heard) is hard under the easiest of circumstances.

The pandemic threw me way, way off balance. I basically chose to spend most of my free time writing rather than moving my body, because the urge to write is still there and the desire to finish my novel almost rising to an obsession. And I was clearly relying on depleted energy stores to, as you say, recreate the circumstances that worked for my creativity. The truth was (and remains, unfortunately, with the recent uptick in COVID cases), that it was not possible to recreate these circumstances. My reality has changed and there is nothing I can do about it. In order to nourish my creativity, I need time to move, I need time to write, I need time to let my mind wander, and I need external stimuli.

I’ve *almost* let go of my novel completely because of how hard it’s been to drag myself to the page in the absence of the things I need to live creatively. But the desire to complete the project and to prove to myself I can finish a novel is stronger. I will say, though, that it’s been hard to fend off the feelings of anger, frustration and disappointment that come along with the feeling of loss of control over my creative pursuits. Especially when I had worked so hard to understand what my creativity actually required.

I thought I had a specific question to ask you when I began to write this. It seems, though, simply an exercise of reflection for me. To any of you who read this, thank you. Perhaps reading the result of me spilling thoughts into the comments will lead to some clarity for you.

Thanks very much for sharing this. It’s actually helped me realize something for myself as well–and that is that the pandemic has had a greater effect on my creativity this year than I’ve let myself admit. It actually feels like a weight lifted to realize and say that. I’d struggled last year as well and have been chalking a lot of this year’s “non-writing” to the fallout from that. But undoubtedly the global circumstances have had their impact as well. I always find peace in being able to better understand the causes and motivations for things. Even if the realizations don’t change the outcome, they usually help me let go of self-flagellating explanations.

2020 has been a tremendous year for lessons learned. In the end, I’m very thankful for that.

K-Denying our realities is certainly not benign.

I often find I expect myself to work with the energy and ferocity that I had when I was a 25 year old lawyer even though I’m a 37 year old mother of two small children. On top of that, I am teaching myself to write fiction. Cobbling together a syllabus for my studies, practicing on my own without much feedback, working in the dark with no accountability whatsoever except to my own dreams, which are quiet when compared with the demands of my kids. Those are my realities when it comes to writing fiction, but still I beat myself up when I think about the old me, the one who was able to work 70 hours a week at a Big Law firm and do so quite successfully.

I was struggling personally last year as well. Reading your blogs as you were uncovering the connection between your creativity and your life was so nourishing to me. It taught me so much about, once again, that elusive balance that, as the famous song goes, you don’t know that you have ’til it’s gone.

Thank you, as always, for sharing on this blog. You help so many of us light up the dark parts with your wisdom.

Yes, I relate to this very much. I suppose we also tend to idealize our past selves. In re-reading old journals from ten years ago, I suddenly remembered that I’ve gone through similar creative dry spells over and over throughout my life. This latest one is more pronounced maybe, but it’s not new. Strangely, that’s encouraging. 😀

Somewhere, early on, I learned the unhealthy pattern that

Caring about something = Controlling it = Working to exhaustion in the attempt to control it

In my case, the pattern was reinforced by some of the effort coming naturally and by ignoring the truth that what I cared about might not be what was best for me to care about.

The learning process is still going on. 😉

Hi Sarah, just saying I once stopped working on a novel for at least four years, maybe even longer, before I went back to it. When I did, the passion was still there, the characters still breathing. For whatever reason, life, more pressing projects, overthinking, fear, had gotten in the way. Just saying never say never when it comes to a project you love, no matter how long it may lie dormant while life gets in the way.

Thank you, Polly 🙂 I’ve been clinging to it out of fear that I’d lose it. Hearing that it’s possible to go back after a long hiatus is encouraging.

I liked the part “My life is my art.” Not sure I understood it right, but deep down my inner child hugged the shared thought.

Thank you for your writings and insights. You give me lots to think about. Over-thinking, to me, seems like thinking which leads one astray from one’s conscious goal. At the same time, I can see how such diversion can sometimes lead one to a better goal, and expose the original goal as merely a hand-hold on a climb toward a partially obscured truth. Perhaps the worst overthought is that which takes away without giving anything of value.

Your article helped me make sense of something I’ve been living. I’m getting tired of writing. What I used to love is becoming a chore to me and I can’t get excited about it much. Your articled reminded me of when I loved writing what was my life like then. It was when my children were home and we were always outdoors in nature. I miss that connection with nature, since we seldom go out much anymore. I also miss music. I love certain music I used to play while I write. Why don’t I go outside or play music anymore? Since my husband’s retirement we don’t do the fun things we used to do. We seem so serious all the time. I know there’s a pandemic on but I could still get outside and listen to my music, but it just never seems to happen. Maybe I answered my own question of why isn’t writing fun anymore? I have to get back to the fun things I used to do that would spark ideas in my head. There’s no reason I can’t get outside and walk again or take my “boom box” up into the office and play “my” music while writing. I’m going to try it tomorrow and see if that’s what is missing. I’ll let you know if it works.

Great insight – and encouragement to trust the writer inside the heart and soul.

Thank you for this timely post!

Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

Wow. it’s 2021 and the pandemic is wearing me out so having to write a novel and be creative is like killing me. I just took a deep dive editing course that last 2 mos which resulted in ‘this-is-what-your-book-needs’ overload. I have tried to get over it and write but what I need is a break. I need to breathe. I need to leave my ms alone for a while to get my creativity back. Watching comedy shows helps. 🙂

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How long does it take you to write essays?

<p>It literally takes me more than five hours to write a five paragraph essay. I write the first sentence, rewrite it, rewrite it again, find a synonym for a weak word, read the sentence aloud, start my second sentence, realize that my first sentence makes no sense, rewrite it, continue my second sentence, stop to think, read aloud everything written so far, etc etc. I don’t understand why I have to do this when I write, but I do. It’s not efficient and has definitely caused some problems.</p>

<p>How long does it take you to write a good essay? Any tips?</p>

<p>30-60 minutes for a rough draft. Thank you APLAC! </p>

<p>How long I spend on revisions depends on the class (I spend a hell of a lot more time for English than Constitutional Law, and more time on Con Law than Biotech…) An easy class not focused on writing (eg Biotech) I spend maybe 10 minutes fixing major grammar errors or replacing ridiculously overused words. Con Law - esque classes I spend another 30-60 minutes on revisions, depending on how bad the first draft was. English class I don’t write 5 paragraph essays unless it’s a timed writing, they are generally 4-8 pages (or more) so those take me a lot longer, closer to 3 hours for a rough draft and another 3 for edits. But I always had A+ papers. </p>

<p>Tips for you: Just write the damn paper. Seriously. Don’t stop after every sentence and revise. Just write the damn thing. Do your revisions after you have the whole paper done or at the MOST, at the end of each paragraph. Don’t do it after every sentence. Don’t be a perfectionist until the paper is done - just the write the damn thing first. I used to be like that with EVERYTHING not just papers and learning to just write the damn paper or just hit the damn ball really helps a LOT.</p>

<p>I’ve never written a good essay lol. In a timed setting, I can write a 5 paragraph or 2 page essay in 40 minutes. However, its quality is understandably lower than when I can choose how long I want to write my essay. I think I take at least 4 hours. Probably closer to 6 hours. I walk around to think about what to put for the next line. I am much better in maths and sciences lol.</p>

<p>For me, to go faster in writing essays, I just have to not care if what I am writing is good. I write slowly because I am continuously editing myself as I am writing so I do not need to edit at the end. There is a trade in quality but if you are good at editing, this might be the preferred route.</p>

<p>At home, I can write a solid English essay in about 2 hours. Sometimes longer if I have procrastinated or when I reward myself for finishing paragraphs.</p>

<p>When I write an essay, there is an inverse correlation between:</p>

<p>Quality by my perception, time spent per word</p>

<p>and</p>

<p>Quality by other people’s perception, length</p>

<p>Meaning:</p>

<p>The shorter it has to be, the longer I usually take to write each paragraph. (Word economy is an effort.) The better I think it is, the worse other people usually think it is, and vice versa . (Is my logic too much for the common reader to handle?) The longer it is, the worse I think it is. (I prefer a concise essay with a specific point over a paper that presents various information.)</p>

<p>I relate to Mark Twain: “If you want me to give you a two-hour presentation, I am ready today. If you want only a five-minute speech, it will take me two weeks to prepare.” Same applies to writing.</p>

<p>I type really quickly and I don’t normally encounter long periods of writer’s block, so a typical 1000 word English essay might take me anywhere from 20 - 45 minutes, without revision. (I rarely <em>seriously</em> revise my work - I don’t typically make spelling or grammatical errors too frequently. I just read through it and change a few phrases.)</p>

<p>For English, it typically takes me about an hour to google quotes and then about 30 minutes to type the rest of the essay up. </p>

<p>On the other hand, for college essays… It takes forever. I have no clue how to write about, well, me.</p>

<p>Oh, the irony. (Sorry, someone had to do it.)</p>

<p>I try not to spend too much time on essays, and don’t really revise very much either. I don’t think I can write out a good essay as fast as some people on here, but I never take more than 1-2 hours.</p>

<p>I agree about shorter essays being harder. My college essays are taking a lot more time to tweak and get right than school essays.</p>

<p>@evanatch - LOL true. I was going to use the excuse that I’m currently watching TV and half heartedly posting, but eh, I can’t really excuse that. You got me.</p>

<p>In normal circumstances, I don’t make grammar errors like that TOO frequently. (All bets are off on CC.)</p>

<p>Fair enough. I’m not usually one to point out small grammar errors, but with the context, I couldn’t resist. :D</p>

<p>Honestly, I’m usually the same way. After writing enough essays and reading enough books and articles I guess good spelling/grammar just starts to come naturally.</p>

<p>In the past I’ve written 20-page pieces of trash in a day or so, but I usually like to take as much time as I’m given. Just because you can theoretically write an essay in ten minutes or whatever doesn’t mean you should. But I wrote my first draft of my Common App essay over spring break and it still sucks. I don’t know.</p>

<p>an essay for apush or ap euro? lol like 20 minutes. dbqs are especially really fast for me.</p>

<p>english research papers? i write those over the span of a few days. if i were to sit down and actually write them, i would make an outline first. then i would just write from the outline. it would probably take 45 minutes.</p>

<p>tldr - outline first. it goes much faster that way, and everything’s organized. then you just focus on making it sound nice</p>

I have the exact same problem. I write really good essays (at least I think I do), but I take HOURS AND HOURS writing my essays. The last paper in my English class, I spent literally all Sunday writing about Faulkner — all 24 consecutive hours, from 7 AM when I woke up to 7 AM of the next day to I leave for school, with lots and lots of coffee and Diet Coke.

I have an approach to writing where I will let out all of my thoughts about the topic into a document, some bullet points, some discarded thesis ideas, some witty sentences that I suddenly thought of, some snippets of entire paragraphs or sections. I then condense that into a somewhat-coherent outline, and I will start writing. I stare at the screen for a good hour, writing and deleting and rewriting the introduction. But once I have my introduction down and solid, it usually all flows out. But that said, I will still go back and rewrite entire paragraphs, move around sentences and sections, and even revise my outline as I go along.

This works, but this also takes a LONG time. I do not have 24 hours to write an AP L&C essay; in fact, I don’t have even an hour. I’m panicking right now as the AP exam approaches.

It usually takes me days once the essay is assigned (lit analysis ones) for me to decide what my argument/thesis will be. Then when I actually get to writing in, it takes me an hour to write the first sentence/paragraph because I always hate my beginnings and I always have the beginning of an idea in my head, then decide against it. When I eventually get around to the substantive stuff, for the 5 page essays it usually takes me about 3 hours.

I never revise though, except to look for typos or grammatical errors.

Depends on the topic. Once, I wrote an English essay in an hour the day it was assigned. Another time, I left it for 11:00 pm the night before. I can churn out things quickly if I have to, but I don’t always. I actually spend more time on summer program application essays than anything else. When writing timed essays in class, I usually figure out exactly how I want to analyze things at the end of the period, which doesn’t always go well.

I had to write a page reflection for APHG and it was due that day and I did it in 6 minutes during homeroom

Having a solid plan or outline helps a lot with my speed. The problem is that I’m prone to lie to myself about having an outline. Usually when I “outline”, I plan out my essay in a way I subconsciously know makes no sense just to get it over with. So then I sit there and write half of an essay I know I’m going to hate, only to erase it all and start over.

I’ve literally spent entire days writing essays, when in reality the vast majority of the time was me pacing around my laptop freaking out because I don’t even have a thesis.

Honestly, it depends. Under pressure/in a timed situation, such as those on AP exams or when we have timed AP essay practice in class, I can get a decent essay done in around 30-40 minutes. Argumentative ones are much better for my creativity than are DBQs :’)

But research papers…oh boy. That’s a whole 'nother story, particularly because I kind of, sort of, abhor and/or am terrible at sticking to outlines. I mean, I usually crank them out in a week or so by partitioning the paragraphs and it sounds a bit disjointed, but by that point I’m just glad I’m done.

Me too!!! For me, it takes more than five hours. I usually drag on to days. I think it’s because English is my second language. I wish I could write fast as my friends do! I need to be so organized in my head before I start writing and when I do, I tend to change every single word of the sentence until I’m satisfied. I want to sound professional. I guess I would need to practice more…

Essays for AP classes take me about 35 minutes, but I can take as long as 6 hours for an at home English essay.

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Why Do We Write? 4 Key Reasons Why Telling and Sharing Stories Matters

by Joe Bunting | 214 comments

Why do we write? Nonfiction and fiction writing has been an instrumental way for people to connect to one another in the real world.

Stories are about change, and by reading and watching them we, ourselves, can change for the better.

But do people write for different reasons, and are some of those reasons more meaningful than others?

Are you sitting at your computer right now, possibly plunging through your first draft (or much later draft), and debating whether or not a writing career is the one for you?

Do you wonder if the written word is how you'll make your mark on the world—and if it is, is a writing career what you want in life?

Why Telling and Sharing Stories Matters

It's safe to say there are more writers now than at any other time in history.

At the beginning of my writing career, I went to the AWP conference in Chicago, eager to learn and excited to start making connections with other writers. There were 10,000 other writers there. That was one conference years back.

Back when I first wrote this post, in 2012, the amount of creative writing programs at universities had exploded from about 50 in the 1980s to over 300 just in the US. There were over 110 million bloggers running their own blogs.

By now, I'm sure the numbers have only increased.

That's a lot of competition.

Seriously though, why do we write? Why are all of us pursuing writing in the face of the increasingly limited attention spans of the broader public?

It's not like we're making much money at it, if any.

What motivates us to keep going? How does writing make a positive difference in our own life, and in the lives of those around us?

4 Reasons Why We Write

Whether or not we're writing short stories for a high school assignment, finishing novels that we self-publish on Amazon, or writing full-time with the success of notable authors like Stephen King (wouldn't that be amazing?), we write for many reasons.

However, there are four main reasons why I write. I wonder if these will resonate with you:

1. To Be Alive

We write to be fully alive.

Sir Ken Robinson says:

The arts especially address the idea of aesthetic experience. An aesthetic experience is one in which your senses are operating at their peak; when you’re present in the current moment; when you’re resonating with the excitement of this thing that you’re experiencing; when you are fully alive.

The act of writing draws us into the moment. We see the blades of grass, hear the sharp chirp of the morning cricket, watch the shade travel from one edge of the yard to the other, seemingly for the first time.

Writing helps us make art out of everyday life, those ordinary moments we might otherwise overlook.

With each piece of writing, we're invited to see the world from a fresh perspective.

We seize an opportunity to ground ourselves in a point of view that can be our own—or that of a new character. One who waits eagerly to teach us something special about ourselves and our potentials.

Writing gives us a surplus of moments to really sympathize with a person, explore a world, and learn from a story in a way that reminds us what really matters in life.

We engender a growth mindset through writing—and writing deeply.

A writing life is rich with truth and adventures that bring our very beings to life.

2. To Make a Name for Ourselves

George Orwell says one motivation to write is sheer egoism, that we write out of the “desire to seem clever, to be talked about, to be remembered after death, to get your own back on the grown-ups who snubbed you in childhood, etc., etc.”

That's part of it, but I think the motivation goes much deeper than being well-liked in the present moment.

If you're being honest, you would agree that it would be nice to live forever. But if you can't live forever physically, then why can't your memory live forever?

We're still talking about Chaucer, Virginia Woolf, Mark Twain, and George Elliott long after their deaths. Why not you?

While this might not be the most unselfish of motivations, it's certainly natural. Writers who share their stories build a legacy that will also beyond their lifetimes.

Writing lets us make a mark on the present world and future generations—if writers have the courage to print their stories on paper, and then pass it on to a reader.

And, with some luck, that readers passes that story on to another reader, who passes it on again.

3. To Change the World

People consume now more than ever in the history of the world.

We eat more, we listen to more music, and we consume more information. However, we've also learned enough about consumerism to know it won't make us happy.

Writing gives us a chance to turn the tides on consumerism. Rather than consume more, we can make something.

Instead of fueling destruction, we empower creation. Isn't that exciting?

Every day, when you put your fingers to the keys, you're creating something. And then, with the click of button, you can share it with the world.

Humans have a built in need to make our mark on the world. We want to bring new things to life, to mold things into the image we have in our imaginations, to subdue the earth.

We write not just to change the world, but to create a new world.

And with each new world, new possibilities.

New stories, which not only complete the circle of life but enrich it.

4. To Discover Meaning

The psychiatrist Victor Frankl posited that the main search of mankind is not happiness or pleasure but meaning. “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose,” he wrote in Man's Search for Meaning .

Writers are uniquely gifted to find meaning for themselves and to help others find meaning.

In fact, this has always been the main task of storytellers. Every story matters to the person living it, and our job is to tell the universal stories, the stories that reveal the story of every person on the earth.

We write to bring meaning to the world.

That goal isn't synonymous with writing a best seller on the  New York Times  list—although, wouldn't that be nice?

You never know whose life your story could change.

That's why, deep down, we, as writers, understand that it's important to not only start but finish what we write.

We All Have Stories to Tell

Regardless of how many copies of a book you sell, stories share meaning and messages with patterns, and those patterns are absorbed and retained by people reaching out to the world for answers.

Each of our lives is a precious story in itself. And each of of us has an unlimited amount of stories to tell.

I hope that you will write your stories down for us. If your goal is to write your dream book in the new year, I hope you'll consider joining our writing community to get the support you deserve. Check out our Pro Practice Community today.  

What do you think? Why do you write, and why are there so many people writing today? Let us know in the comments .

Today, spend some time free writing. As you write, contemplate your motivations. Are they pure enough to keep you going despite everything?

Write for fifteen minutes . When you're finished, post your practice in the Pro Practice Workshop , and be sure to leave feedback on a few posts by other writers.

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

214 Comments

I write to help myself. I have to write or something very important is missing. I write to help others too. That’s it plain and simple. 

It’s interesting to think that is a ton of competition, but I personally think that is a very large audience. We are in this together. Writers read. If you write something Joe, I’ll most likely read it.  

Agreed, Jim.

Thanks 🙂 Although my next post is about how Jimi Hendrix is the most overrated guitarist ever. Shoot.

rapidly clicking unsubscribe..and unfriending… 😉 

I like your thought of a large audience.  

You know thinking of the large audience and thinking of how many writers here I honestly enjoy.  Not only are most writers readers, most of us read more than we write.  Or at least I do.  I wonder if that’s true for most of us.  If I had written as much as I’ve read in my lifetime my hands would have fallen off long ago.  

I agree with you. I think having more writers enter the fray is only a good thing for writers and writing.

Agreed. It reminds me of when I used to work at an antiques store, in a small town on a main street lined with antique stores. The owner of the place where I worked always talked about how all the other stores being around was good for everyone more than it was competition. And they all kind of looked out for each other. Same thing with writers/readers.

I’ll read what you write too Joe, unless you put something bad about J.K.Rowling in the title. I can’t stand writing snobs. I’m way too low-brow for that 😉

I just changed the title of my next post. Why Jimi Hendrix and JK Rowling Are For Musical and Literary Infants Respectively (But Not Respectfully).

Cue the crickets and the silence!

Oh my goodness, too funny! It doesn’t work without the bit in brackets.

I was just thinking to myself the other day…why do I write?  I sat and made a list of a zillion reasons why I do, but when it all boils down, these four categories are why. Although I dream to be published one day, for now, writing is my outlet and my best friend.  Beautiful post!

Thanks, Malia. I’m glad I got them all 🙂

It’s a good question and a hard one to answer simply. I think it’s good for the soul, to write. Like the number pi the soul goes on forever and I think we write because we want our words to go on forever in some way. Plus, for me, it soothes the soul and provides an outlet that keeps me alive and gives release to the voices in my head …

I like the idea that the soul goes on and on like pi! All the more reason to just keep letting the words flow out, because you can never run out!

Hi Joe! Good post (as usual) and good question. Why do I write? Because I enjoy it. I enjoy creating new worlds, placing characters in them, and then seeing what happens. It’s pure entertainment for me and hopefully for my readers. If there is a deeper meaning to my writing, aside from my being a hopeful romantic, it’s subliminal. If that makes me shallow, then shallow I shall be. I read to be entertained and I write to do the same.

This is definitely a good recipe for a lifelong love affair with writing! I don’t think there is anything shallow about creating for the pure enjoyment of it.

 Thank you, Misaralee. It took years for me to realize that writing for my own enjoyment wasn’t wrong and that trying to write in a manner unnatural to my own WAS wrong. Now, I work hard to put down the best effort I can and hope folks like reading it as much as I did writing it.

Hey that subliminal stuff will rise up out of the writing if you keep working.   I took a workshop once and submitted a story about two women with the same name who were very different.  I thought it was just a funny story with funny characters but I got remarks about theme and underlying meaning.  I think it did have some of that but I didn’t know it when I wrote it.  Of course maybe people were just being workshop students who felt they needed to say something that sounded good.  I hope not. 

 True enough, Marianne. Theme is often unconscious and the writer may not discover it until after the piece is complete. I’m sure your fellow workshoppers were sincere. I’m just saying that I’m not a writer on a mission – except to entertain.

There is a filmstrip in my head that will not stop running until I put it down on paper. I must write so I can view the next film in my head.

DO IT! Then post it here. 🙂

I write for the same reason that I bake: I want someone to take a taste and tell me it’s yummy and then I tell them that I substituted wheat bran for white flour and it’s actually very healthy.

I LOVE that, Nora.

Great analogy, Nora. My wife tries to pull that on me occasionally, but I’m on to her.

Love that! Then, you should say to them “BOOM! You just got WHEAT BRAN’D.”

The electricity of words was thought to be expendable and a drain on the central power grid and so the ever logical lizard ordered rolling blackouts centered on that once thriving bohemian village. The residents were given rations in exchange for copy writing and editing work for the central brain corporation, delivering dead fish words to the external overlords who kept the roof over our head and the fridge stocked with hotdogs. The life I had thought extinguished became a refugee, deep where the sharp, sanitizing talons of despair and self-preservation could not liquidate it. But oh bliss, the grid is flooded with excess energy. The words sneak up and surprise my conscious mind with their freedom and the visceral strength of expression. Did I really write that? How could such guttural expression have come from me, the cube dwelling citizen of this plastic empire? I bring myself to tears with the release of emotions and truths I had buried deep in an unconscious place. The lamp of words lightens up my heart and draws out the poison and the passion that had buried itself there. And now I write for sheer joy of playing with words. Building towers and landscapes with strokes of a pen. Eliciting surprised laughter from a friend when I turn a unique phrase in conversation, balancing cliché on its head. I have the smug satisfaction of being the master of blank spaces, giving form to emptiness with ink and pixels. Corralling the world without limitations, without expense or need of materials, only my fingers and the blank space. Signal the engineer to open the flood gates! Make inkblots on the page! The more abstract the better. The more spontaneous and unconscious, the wilder and more beautiful the art is to me.

Wow Missaralee.  That was like poetry.  “the life I thought . .could not liquidate it”. That is amazing.  I think you should clean this up and submit it to one of the very experimental literary journals.  There are some amazing sentences and thoughts in this piece.  

Thank you Marianne, that is incredibly kind! Your comment has encouraged me to keep working on this piece, we’ll see what happens.

I love the imagery!

Thanks Yalí, so glad you enjoyed it!

Oh, cube dwelling citizen of plaztic empire… your piece caught my eye immediately and kept on thrilling me.  Good stuff, Missaralee!

Thanks PJreece! The plastic empire is daily providing new fodder for my cannons 😉

This does read like poetry, especially the line about building towers.  Beautiful work!

This isn’t just an exercise for me, it is a repeating question in my mind the past couple of months.  I’ve come up with a few reasons.

I mainly began to write out loud because I was emboldened by my father’s death in January.  Some deep need in me to make a difference in the the world.  Time slipping through my fingers.  It’s getting away.  What have I done? How have I impacted others?

I write to open my heart and soul to friends and family.  To offer myself in love.  Perhaps to encourage someone.  Maybe connect on some deeper heart level and let them know that they are not alone.  That I am not alone.  

I write to encourage.  Self worth can be elusive as a stay at home mom.  Somewhere I read “If you want to change the world, put pen to paper.”  It has wrapped around my heart.  I hear it when I am struggling to find my identity in the midst of changing diapers, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning.  I know people are running about in the outside world making a difference, running for senate, serving the poor hot meals, standing arm in arm protesting for a belief.  All the while, I am bent over little loves, wiping noses, kissing hurts, and feeding hungry little mouths.  I can’t help but wonder how many other people question if what they are doing “counts.”  If indeed it will make a difference.   

And finally, I write as an artistic outlet.  I may not have the time I crave to put brightly colored oil paint to white canvas as I once did, but I can express myself through this new found art.  Beautiful, challenging, poetic word art.  

Okay, so are we really just supposed to stick to the 15 mins??  I would really like to go back and edit/ change some things.  But for my first exercise I suppose I’ll stick to the rules.

Good to see you here, Ali 🙂

I love that idea, “Writing out loud.” Great image for blogging.

And yes, if you don’t write for exactly 15 minutes you get fired from The Write Practice. 😉 No mostly, it’s a good limit so people can read and give feedback. 

Fired first day.  Rats.

Hey, when will the next “show off contest” subject be posted?  That sounds fun!  And challenging!  Thanks for all the work you have put into this site.  Really great job!

We’ll post the next contest in the first week of August. You should definitely join in. 

Of course, Ali. I don’t know what I would do without it.

Okay Joe, so this community you’ve helped to bring together are super sweet and encouraging.  Awesome.

Just wait. They’re like sirens. They suck you in and then stab you in the back. 

Just kidding community. I love you.

It’s a clock-in, clock-out system isn’t it Joe?

That reminds me: I entered an incorrect punch on my time card. Who do I see about getting a manual override of my time put in?

See el head honcho, numero uno, big boss man, Oz, King Bunting about that Brian. He won’t handle it himself of course. But he can redirect you a thousand times, to the drudges who work in the basement. Hope that helps!

1. You’re a clown, Brian. 2. You’re a munchkin, Yvette. The Oz variety.

Beautifully said Ali.  I like all of it but I like that you said writing is a way to connect on a deeper level with your loved ones. I never thought about it that way but it’s true that we can put on paper and read what others had on paper carefully and slowly.  When people talk it’s so fast and affected by the moment that we may not be able to get what’s real for us out or hear what’s real for others.  Sometimes I feel like I know Virginia Woolf better than I do my sisters, and I definitely know her better than I do acquaintances that I encounter frequently. 

Marianne, I know exactly what you mean!  I love to get inside people’s head through reading.  People are sometimes much more open when no one is sitting in front of them.  The small talk is cut, and the real heart revealed.

This is so encouraging! You are not alone and everything you do counts. In writing you capture those moments of love and care and then you can turn them over in your hands like the precious jems they are, revealing the flashes of multi-coloured light.

Missaralee, thank you for comparing the wiping of noses and other “love and care moments” to “precious jems”.    I’ll try and think of them that way tomorrow.  It will probably make me laugh or smile at some point!  

Ali, you are making a diffence in the world. Being a mom is one of the most important job a person can do. All the things you are doing is important and are part of who you are.

Word art is a part of you also along with oil painting.

Who you are is a creator. A great quality to have.

Thank you BJ house writer.  🙂  It’s nice to hear that I am making a splash in the world, even if God is the only one who can see it most days.   I like thinking of myself as a creator.  That’s fun.  Thanks!

You are a vital influence to the lives of a future generation.  A stay at home mom is priceless.  Your impact on others is seen through the character of your children and the respect of your husband.  

Keep writing.

Thanks for the encouragement Shelley!  A stay at home is priceless!  Not always glamorous, but God is teaching me so much through this process.  And most days I love it!  🙂  

so how do I link my name to my blog address??  hmmm…. help anyone? 

Anne Frank said that paper is more patient than men (and I suppose, women) and I have found that it is true. Writing has helped me through dark times, it has been   an outlet, a way to put order in my head and my heart. 

Right now, I am writing a story about my great-grandparents, whom I never knew, because it is a part of our family history that no one really knows about. I *need* to tell this story, even if half of it is made up. The same goes for other stories; I just *need* to tell them.

I do the same for my family.  It helps to tie things together I think.  

I love that idea about paper being more patient than men! I always long to be able to say outloud, exactly what I would write in the moment, rather than the spit-flecked word jumble that usually tumbles out.

Strange as it may sound to say, I write because I have to.  I feel an urge to tell stories and would do so whether people listened or not.

I agree, I think writers write because they have to, whether anyone’s listening.

You’re not alone, RD. 🙂

This is true. I had an art professor in college who once talked about how creative people get cranky if something’s keep them from being creative. If I don’t write, make art, do something creative, too many days in a row, I become a straight up crumb bum.

The fuchsia blossoms of a crept myrtle floated on rain water that had fallen into two large terra cotta saucers.  A black and white chicken pecked at the water.  It was what’s called a Wyandotte, the feathers were white edged in black, resulting in a chicken dressed in lace, a chicken bride.  She bent to drink from the terra cotta saucers. Dale sat cross legged on the porch in a plastic chair with metal legs, a sketch pad in her lap, a colored pencil in her hand, a fuchsia colored pencil.  The farm was a jumble of broken things, cars, bathtubs, refrigerators, and assorted boards and pieces of siding.  Ivy and honeysuckle grew over the junk but new junk appeared. 

To Dale’s left iris and a bird bath grew with more chickens pecking for bugs.  In the concrete birdbath a bright green trailing plant flourished.  To the right was another garden.  That garden of marigolds and rock roses marked the grave of an old gun dog who had guarded the farm for his lifetime.  Dale wanted to draw the scene or part of it because she wanted to remember the great beauty here, that sprang forth in summer to cover the rusted, grey discarded things on the old farm.  It was a place that told the true tale of life and death to Dale.  She felt in adequate to the task. 

There was an arch of ivy growing between two trees that stood on either side of a trail that led away from the house.  She saw her niece there in a wedding dress beside her wife.  They would be married here because no one would have them in town.  They will have to be married in the summer – thought Dale – the winter here is too depressing, and she wondered what would be summer and winter for them, those two young girls?  How would they get through?  She worried. 

The hen pecked at the water in the saucer.  A dog was watching her. 

“You can’t keep chickens and dogs like that,” Dale had told her. “Once a dog kills a chicken it will kill more, no matter how much you train it not to.”

“No she just did that because she was an adolescent,” said Dale’s sister, talking about the dog.  “She knows better now.”

Dale lifted the pencil and began again on her drawing of fuchsia blossoms floating in terra cotta saucers.  

The chicken with her lacy wings pecked and then stood in the saucer with her big three toed feet that looked reptilian like the feet of a dragon.  

The dog lay in the sun and watched for a while, then it slept.  

Sorry for the bad punctuation in that piece.  I want to edit it but I’m not able to go back into it and fix it.  I wrote it straight off the top of my head from something I saw in the paper.  

It’s a lovely piece, Marianne. Thanks for sharing it!

I love the image of the dog and the chicken. Did you draw inspiration from a real place? 🙂

Yes It started with a real place and I saw the terra cotta saucers weight the crepe myrtle blossoms floating in them and the chicken.  The marriage of the two women came from an article I read in the newspaper this morning.  The drawing was from thinking about what  and why we write.  It just all got mushed together in my brain and came out like that I guess. The dog killing the chickens is real too and I thought about how society might kill the two girls maybe because the chicken was in a lacy dress.  It was fun.  I haven’t actually written anything in a while.  I’ve been reading a lot though.  

that should say “with the crepe myrtle blossoms”. I don’t’ know what’s wrong with me and my proofreading today.  Embarrassing.  

Lovely.  And I have chickens, too.  I agree about the feet.  All week I’ve been taking them frozen watermelon and ice water to keep them going in this heat.  I guess I kind of love them.

I enjoyed the image of a ramshackle place where plants grow wild here and there and everywhere, reclaiming the broken objects. Also the chicken bride.

Thanks Missaralee. I posted it too quickly and am seeing errors all over the place. Oh well to late now.  

Marianne, great job. I could really envision this rustically beautiful scene. It was full of real life and redemption.

You do such a good job at describing the scenery Marianne. I got such a pretty picture in my head.

Thanks Anna 

The chicken with the reptilian feet of a dragon and yet the dog just lay in the sun and watched her for a while. Pure magic Marianne, as always!

Thank you Yvette Carol.  They do have really awful looking feet.  

I write for a lot of reasons but the biggest one I think is because I love to read, I love literature!

Joe… as serendipity would have it… I have just posted an item called “WHY WE READ”.   I found your piece and the comments valuable… and I’m going to copy the whole shebang into a file for future reference.  Cheers.

Last week I introduced myself as a writer. As the words left my mouth a little thrill shot down my spine and my heart skipped! I’ve never publicly called myself a writer before. 

I wondered why? Maybe until this point I hadn’t been sure that I was. Part of me was waiting for permission, but I’m not sure from whom. This day was different, I realized I didn’t need permission. It would be like asking for permission to identify myself as a woman or a brunet. 

I am a writer because I was born with something to say. Just ask my mother! Apparently before I was fully delivered my head emerged screaming! 

Whether I ever write a book that becomes a best seller, receive an award, or finally win a “Show Off” contest, I’m a writer. I was born to communicate, and to deny that would be to deny part of who I am. 

I am a writer.

My motivation shifts from year to year, season to season. At any given time there’s a mixture of each of the four reasons. I’ve been contemplating my motivation again recently as I finish up my novel and begin looking for an agent. 

Why do I write? Does the world really need another novel, another blog post, another e-book. Yes and no. The entire world may not need to hear what we need to say, but our sphere of influence does. Words of hope, words of healing, words of wisdom or challenge, words of joy, of meaning, of beauty, they are our gift to the hearts of those around us. Loved ones and strangers alike. Our hearts long to connect and words allow us to do just that. 

I write because I love to. I do see the world differently when it flows from my fingers. I write to find meaning, to add value. I’m embarrassed to say that once in a while I do write with the delusion of fame and recognition, but that’s truly the least satisfying. Mostly I write to be a part of transformation. I’m most gratified when the words I write resonate in the heart of a reader and we both grow into better people.

*** Great thought provoking post Joe. I agree, sometimes the amount of ‘competition’ is overwhelming. I’m incredibly grateful my writing isn’t required to feed my family and I have the freedom to just enjoy. 

Wow Beck, I really connected with the idea that “the entire world may not need to hear what we need to say, but our sphere of influence does.” It made me think of writing for the young women in my life, women I want to see floorish into confident, joyful chasers of passion! I will think of this from now on when I’m blocked and when I don’t feel I have anything new to say.

Whenever I think my voice doesn’t matter, or I will never be the next ____ (fill in the blank), I think of the women who have written to me or commented because a blog post has encouraged them. It helps to write for a smaller audience, if it translates into a larger one great, but a smaller, personal one is more compelling and manageable I think. Anyhow, I’m glad you connected with that idea! I’m sure there are women who are better because you share your words!

I love the idea of writing for your sphere of influence as well.  That whole paragraph is just brilliant.  Words allow us to connect to the ones we love…absolutely true.

Thank you Rachel! I think seeing our audience, regardless of how small, as worthy to receive the gift of our words is inspiring. 

Beck – You do indeed have something to say.  I find your writing unique and uplifting.  I don’t think you need to feel embarrassed to say you think sometimes of fame and recognition.  I think that just goes along with feeling that you are telling a truth that others need to hear or with wanting validation.  Either way I find it hard to believe that anyone who puts things into a public forum like this doesn’t want to be read by others (which kind of equals being published).  Why else would the post here? You are young and very lively and positive and you are very good with creating images.  I still remember a the person finding the letters in the attic that were written to a man other than her grandfather. That was a very memorable story. You will get there IMO. 

Thank you Marianne! I do want to be read. Joe once said without an audience a writer is just someone who journals. I don’t want success to be what compels me though. I find it tarnishes my creativity and compassion. 

I’m tickled that you remember the love story about the letters. I was just thinking about that story today and wondering if I could use it in my next novel!  I so appreciate your encouragement!

Hey Beck, I resonated with your entire post. I especially liked, “I do see the world differently when it flows from my fingers.” I feel the same way. I am able to express myself more thoughtfully and honestly as I write.  I also appreciated your admission (or is it admittance?) to sometimes writing for the fame and recognition. It is so true that this motivation is the least satisfying. I know that I use writing (and The Write Practice) to get feedback and attention when I’m feeling particularly insignificant.

Thanks for your comment Tom. I’ve found when I hold the golden cow of fame or acceptance up as my goal of writing the joy and even creativity are tarnished. My best writing comes when I’m honest and selfless, but that’s a hard place to stay. 

I thought the same thing about people laughing at me! I assumed I couldn’t say I’m a writer because they’ll ask me, “what have you written?” And I can’t say, a blog! But then I realized I spend more hours writing than doing just about anything, so what else would you call that?! Keep practicing and growing more comfortable with who you are as a writer and the easier it will be to embrace, and admit! At least that’s what I tell myself!

Congratulations on coming out of the literary closet Beck!! Stay out here in the sun girl 🙂 Well done.

Thanks Yvette!

I would like to see your blog. I liked this post.

Thanks Sandra. Here is a link to my original blog. I haven’t written in quite some time due to a broken computer, a new job, and my husbands loss of a job. But this blog is a good archive of some of the best of what I’ve written. http://beckfarfromhome.blogspot.com/?m=1

alright I will look at it. 🙂 Thanks.

Joe, this piece was exceptional. You made it into my Great Quotes file for the first time, not once but twice, with one post! Don’t you think, that it’s more like everyone has always secretly wanted to write (or nearly everyone). I know that throughout my life, whenever I’ve mentioned to someone — anyone — that I write, the reply has usually been a variation of ‘I’ve always wanted to write a book’. The only difference these days, is that the means to ‘publish’ one’s writing has come within easy reach. 

I’m so honored, Yvette. Thanks!

I definitely think it’s true that most people want to write, and it makes sense. We all want to be fully alive. We all want to be loved and respected, not just in our lifetimes but for forever. We all would like to make the world a better place. And if Victor Frankl is right (and I think he is), we all want to experience meaning. Everyone wants to write because those are four amazing things writing offers.

I’m reading Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” right now. Great read. Great blog, btw, Joe!

Awesome, Tom. Isn’t he amazing?

“What is the meaning of all this?” came her voice from the other room. One of the kids was obviously in trouble, I could tell by the tone. I continued pecking away on my computer. I was in the midst of writing a pivotal scene for my novel when my wife poked her head inside the door of my office. “I said, what is the meaning of all this?”

I swiveled around in my chair and faced the doorway. “Oh, were you talking to me?” I asked.

“Um, yes! I want to know what’s the meaning of this right here!” She pointed her angry finger at an open page in a spiral notebook. It took her a moment as she moved the notebook back and forth like she was playing an invisible trombone.

“’I’m feeling lost and alone. I have no one to turn to and I feel I’m drowning,’” she read. “Did you write this?”

“Are you reading my journal?” I asked in a shocked and accusatory tone.

“Wait, that’s not all. ‘How can I ever be happy again with all this guilt and shame? Why did I ever agree to meet up with her?’” My wife shook my exposed journal in my face as if she was trying to empty it of the hurtful words and then placed her clinched hands on her hips. “Can you explain to me the meaning of all this?”

“I’m going to ask you the same question, sweetheart! Why the hell are you reading my journal? That is my own private writing and it’s none of you damn business!”

“None of my damn business? If you’re cheating on me, then it’s certainly my damn business!”

“Cheating on you? I’m not cheating on you!”

“Then who did you “meet up with?” She accompanied her snarky tone with air quotes.

I quickly grabbed my journal out of her fist and stormed out of the room. I grabbed my keys and headed toward the garage. I could hear her crying in the room where I left her. My face felt hot and the back of my neck felt chilled. Beads of sweat ran down my cheeks. Or was it tears? My stomach was gurgling acid and I could hear my heart pounding inside my ears. I grabbed a pen sitting on the counter on my way out and slammed the door behind me.

What was the meaning of all this?

I like the way this escalates so quickly, the way arguments do.  I like the description of her waving the notebook like a trombone.  I would like to know what happens. The dialogue is great here like it always is in your writing.  

The first line said so much! Well-chosen words can convey time, era, personality even class. Immediately I had an image of who this lady was 🙂

I like how you used that last sentence. Well done.

I originally wrote this on paper, so this is a little bit edited (not much though).  Also, I couldn’t stop at 15 minutes, so it’s pretty long…sorry about that.

Joan Didion said, “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means.  What I want and what I fear.”  I know where she’s coming from.  Blogging can be difficult for me because I start off intending to write about one thing and by the time I’m finished I find I wrote about something completely different.  I have an idea, but in the process of writing about it I discover other thoughts and feelings I never knew I had, but that I want to share and I follow those down the rabbit hole.

For most of my life, writing has been a mostly personal endeavor.  I’ve had a blog for eight years, but for most of that time the only people who read it were close friends and family and it was just random thoughts about what was going on in my life.  And even then, I always had a journal with me to capture things I didn’t want to post.  In fact, most of my writing is really just journalling – processing things I’ve seen and read and heard and been a part of.

As a child, I was a sporadic journaller (is that a word?  I guess it is now).  I read many books where people discovered old diaries and read them, so I had a very specific idea of what a journal should be – lots of particular details, dates, etc.  I tried to do that, but my childhood was essentially boring and I never really knew what to write.  I just did it because the characters I loved did it.

In high school, a friend of mine began creating notebooks.  They were vibrant colors and included song lyrics and pictures and funny stories, all done artistically in bright markers.  You never saw Kristen without her notebook.  I thought this was fantastic and started carrying my own notebooks.  I lacked Kristen’s artistic vision and talent, however, and tended to listen to the same songs over and over, which meant I had a hard time coming up with new song lyrics to doodle during class.  I kept these notebooks for a few years, but they were never really more than a way to keep from falling asleep during class.

And then for high school graduation I received a Moleskine notebook.  It was beautiful.  So clean and professional looking, not flowery or girly (I am neither and most of the journals I had been given were).  It was exactly the kind of notebook I pictured college students and great thinkers using (I was aided in this fantasy by Moleskine’s self-description in the back pocket, of course).  I was a great thinker, a philosopher, a collegian, and this was where I would record my brilliant life.

From that point forward, I have always had a Moleskine close by.  It feels a little pretentious sometimes, a little too hipstery, but it’s a habit now.  Some have lasted me a few months, some have taken me almost a year and a half to fill.  Just last week I began my ninth one, although I am writing this in a journal that was a gift from a friend.  It feels a bit like a betrayal.

And now I found that I’ve gone down the rabbit hole again and have given you the history of my notebook preferences instead of talking about why I write.  But looking back at it, I can see my motivations.

I guess I started writing because other people – both fictional and real – did.  And then because I wanted to look cool.  And then because I wanted to look cool and mysterious, as if always having a notebook with me would make people want to know more about me and ease the transition to college.

And now?  Now I think I write because I cannot imaging myself not writing.  Because I cannot deal with my emotions without it.  Because I do not know what I think if I do not put it into words.

And, if I’m honest, a little bit because I hope I look cool and mysterious over here, scribbling in my notebook.

I love your writing style. I find myself going on bunny trails all the time.

Thank you!  I’m working on getting my bunny trails to at least lead back to the main trail eventually.  I’m glad some people can follow my weird brain  🙂

Journaling is so important.  I didn’t start writing until I was almost forty (when I first got a word processor that would check spelling since I cannot spell) and I wish I had at least tried to get things down before then because I can’t remember them.  I like your Moleskin remark.  A good notebook needs to be filled. That’s a good reason to write too.  

Thanks Marianne!  And filling a good notebook is definitely a reason to write  🙂

I just started journaling, yesterday.  I love Joan Didion.  Her words could have been mine.

At the moment, my blog is mostly read by close friends.   Combined with journaling, I’m writing more than ever.  Over time, I want my writing to take on a life of its own.  “Because I do not know what I think if I do not put it into words.”  

That’s why I write.  To see who I am.

Thanks, Shelley!

i write because i have ideas. i have always had ideas but i never “knew” that i could write them down. i am like all those people you talk to; you know, the people who see you scribbling in your notebook, and ask “what are you doing?” and you say “writing” and then you have a conversation, and then they say, “i have ideas too, but (insert excuse).” yeah i used to be one of those people, but then i realized that i COULD. 

ok yeah i want to be famous too…. but if i , or any of my manuscripts, even get *accepted* then i will feel awesome because SOMEONE at least ONE PERSON will read what i have to say… hopefully i write well enough for them to see my point of view,  and maybe even change their own POV to what I think is the better version. yeah… pretty selfish reasons, eh? but… seriously? it’s like being a doctor. most people go into it to help people, but they want to be treated fairly in their compensation. it’s the same  thing, i think, at least. 

I think you’re right.  There are lots of reasons for doing things and lots of ways to be compensated.  Writing is a lot of effort to go to for nothing.   

Been a long time since I posted a practice. Hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I had fun writing the piece. 🙂

The number one rule was to never stop walking.

Snow rained down hard on us and the wind blew restlessly, it pierced through our thick clothing and into our skin and into our bones, sapping away what little strength we had left. But we continued on walking. To stop was death.

We shuffled along in a straight line with the captain leading the group. I was positioned in the middle. Home. That’s where we were all headed. But will we be able to reach home? We started out as twenty strong men, a week passed us by and only half remained. Two were taken by hunger, one succumbed to injury, and the rest fell into the wraiths’ hands.

They were there. Lurking at the edge of our senses. Never stop walking. To stop was death. To stop was to be with the wraiths. They were the faint voices whispering to you at the edge of your hearing. You could smell their scent with each passing of the winter wind. They smelled of death and decay. You could see them at the periphery of your vision. Sometimes they looked like a friend you have back home, other times they looked like one of our dead brethren, there were rare times when they looked like themselves—demons of the mountain.

I placed one foot forward, followed by the other one. Each step seemed to be my last, but I pushed on. I pushed on. Then I heard her voice. We all did. It was faint at first but it grew louder with each step I took.

“Keep moving! Do not look at them!” The captain shouted. We moved on.

She was calling me to come to her. She was calling me home. She was calling me to rest. I felt myself crying. My heart wanted to go to my wife but my mind knew it was a lie of the wraiths. I felt so tired. I just wanted to stop and for everything to be over. I closed my eyes.

“I’m sorry captain! It was an honor to fight alongside you.” I raised my voice loud enough to be heard over the howling of the wind.

“Keep on walking, boy!” The captain replied. “Your wife’s dead! It isn’t her!”

I stopped. The ones behind me passed me by, their faces hidden by thick hoods. I looked to my side and there she was. She smiled at me and beckoned me to come closer. I did. I grabbed her in my arms.

From some far off place, I heard someone shouting. Shouts of pain and agony mixed with the winter wind. He had the same voice as mine. He was shouting for help. He sounded like he was in some great pain. I didn’t bother looking who it was. I was home.

Very eerie. It shows how much we miss someone who’s already gone but still is more important than life itself.

Great JB.  The “faint voices whispering to you at the edge of your hearing”, the occasional glimpses of the wraiths in the peripheral vision.  Those are good images. It’s easier to imagine a tired man being called to his death by his wife than being called to fight some more obvious source of evil.  It’s pretty spooky and I got a very clear image even though you didn’t spend a whole lot of time on description.  I can see the line of men moving though the snow in a dimly lit landscape. 

Thanks Marianne! Glad I was able to project the scene I desire. 🙂

It’s pretty sweet the way you always write something different, with new tonalities and shades. A wide-ranging imagination you have there JB,

Thank you Yvette. I love to experiment with new stuff 🙂

This reads like a classic “Twilight Zone” episode. Just to be clear, I mean that as a compliment. I love that show.

Thanks! Wouldn’t take it as an insult. Don’t worry. It’s super amazing for you to liken my story to one of Rod Serling’s. Thank you Brian 🙂

You’re welcome!

I’ve to agree with Orwell. I think all of us, we do the things we do because we want to be remembered. Some do it by writing, some through their movies, some by painting. We all want to be remembered in one way or another.

What you posted today is true I believe in all writers. We write because we have to even if it just taking notes on something we read.

Some write for fame and money and to be remembered.

Others like myself write because I love to share what I read and also hope that I may help some find out facts and events that are going on around them.

Blogging is a way to write, having your writing in print. Some people are writers but maybe not writing a full book is there thing. But rather just a short story.

Writing is a way to preserve what is going on in our time period.

Penny squeezed her knees as tight as she could. The darkness in the cave didn’t scar her. It calmed her. Here she was alone. Here she could think. They would be looking for her soon. He would be looking for her soon.

Why did Lord Peter insist that he knew what was best for her? Did he not realize that her roots had been grown in Oppannivol? She had no need for all the finery of being a Lady. She’d rather stay a nurse maid.

She heard shouting. They were shouting her name. Should she answer? She wanted to.

Suddenly, she herd footsteps on the cave floor. They were coming toward her. The heavy breathing was defiantly a mans. She could sense the other person right in front of her. He sat down and let out a sigh.

“Well Penny, how long of a time do you need before I tell them where you are?”

“Go away Peter.”

He made a clicking noise with his tongue. “You ought to be more respectful to someone thirteen years your elder.”

“You ought to give a girl her own choice when it comes to where she lives.”

“No, not to a girl, but to a woman, yes.”

She let a moment pass by. “I hate it when you are right.”

“I this case, I hate it as well. I wish you were old enough to make the right choice, so I would not have to force it on you.”

I like the dialogue and I assume this is a WIP and that the characters would make more sense if I read the the whole thing. It seems like Penny is Peter’s ward or maybe he has kidnapped her and then some other bad people are looking for her too.  

I could almost feel the snow falling on me. 

Living fully and discovering meaning are the top two reasons I write.  I try to write everyday, even if it’s just one sentence (that maybe takes me 10 minutes to get just right).  But a lot of time writing for me is emotionally draining, and I have to stop (or maybe rest) for a little while to get the strength to keep on going.  Writing can be such a physical and psychological effort, but yet I can’t help myself.  Gotta write!

Bathsheba in a Hot Tub – Free Writing Exercise

I pretend I’m Bathsheba, stepping into my hot tub instead of an ancient pool, which I’m sure Bathsheba would have done if she’d had the chance.  The man who watches me, and I know he watches me, across the field in a house with a three-car garage, is my snake-hipped version of King David.

Tonight I’m wearing my pink kimono that hits me just above the knee and little silver kitten heels.  My husband Joey is watching Pawn Stars, and he’s talking back to the TV so loud I think he’s calling me.  But he’s not. He treats me the same way you do a lizard in a terrarium. He taps on the glass every once in a while to make sure I’m alive, and beyond that I’m pretty much on my own.

So this guy, my King David, is about all I have. I met him once, at TelStar Market in the meat department, when we both reached for a chuck roast. He let me have it, which says a lot, I think, about his character.

I could have gotten his name then, but I wasn’t able to utter a word. He was wearing Levis, the real deal Levis – Joey wears Wranglers – and this T-shirt that read, Just Listen, which I found to be both mysterious and a little profound.

At night, King David sits on his deck, alone.  He looks toward my house, which Joey lights up like a carnival, so I know he can see me.

At first I watched from my kitchen window. And then six weeks ago and joined a gym where they teach classes that will either kill you or make you look like a movie star.  I haven’t been mistaken for Scarlett Johansen yet, but my jeans are saggy in the butt, so there’s still hope.  Anyway, since I’m looking better, I go out on the patio, take a glass of wine and sit in the porch swing every night about nine o’clock.

Joey’s in bed by nine-thirty and snoring by a quarter til.  And I’m left alone under the stars, so close to King David that I can feel his power.

Tonight I set down my wine and pull the cover off the hot tub.  Warning: there’s no sexy way to do this.  And then I climb the three steps real slow, kick off my heels, right foot, left foot, and drop the kimono.  I have on a swimsuit, although it’s tan, so I hope from this distance I look like I’m in my altogether, and I step into the hot tub that gurgles like a brook.

I am sinning, I can tell you that much, not in any fleshly way.  But sinning nonetheless.  And you know how it feels?  It feels like that moment just before the big-haired girl reads the lottery numbers on Channel 8. That moment when your life might turn, and you might be able to quit dying your own hair and put your mama in a better home and fly to Vegas first class.

I drop into the water, chest deep. My hair is up, a whip of a pony tail that I flip over the edge of the hot tub.  I can feel my cheeks, hot as August, and my heart is racing.  I look up toward King David’s house and he’s standing now, the long line of his body seems to glow from the porch light behind him.  I stand up too, and water races down my chest. We stand like this, half than a quarter mile apart, my King David and I, for what seems forever but can’t be more than two minutes, and in that time I know we’ve struck a deal.

He raises his hand to me, and I lift mine to him.  A cloud shifts across the half moon.  King David turns his porch light on and off, on and off, a signal, I think, for me to run to him. I step out of the tub and into my kimono, in the whispering space between fidelity and desire.

Bathsheba, I think, how much did you know of love and fate? How much did your husband care?

Oooh, I like it! This is great fiction, I would love to read a little novella continuation of this style…

Thank you so much Missaralee.  I may just try that.

Great exercise for personal application! I used teach my students to do similar exercises.  You’ve given new light on an age old problem many of married couples experience, and that everything is a choice.  Great job!

Thanks ShelleyD!  It was fun to write.

“Hey: We need to talk.”

Jared’s dad dropped the box onto the kitchen table.

“What are you doing with that?” Jared went to grab it back. Dad placed his hands on it so it wasn’t going anywhere.

“So you just went into my room and took that? You do that often?”

“You know what, Jared? No, I don’t. But honestly–it’s my house, and I CAN do it whenever I want. If you don’t like that, well, I’m sorry. So, you want to tell me about what’s in there?”

“Why? You already know what it is.”

“I just want to know how you got started with this. Was it your friends? Was it Will? I don’t like that kid, by the way.”

“God, Dad, it wasn’t Will! And it wasn’t Steve, it wasn’t Joel, it wasn’t Amanda…any other friends of mine you hate you want to blame this on?”

“Jared, I–”

“WHAT? You WHAT, Dad? You’re just looking out for me? Or, or, what–you just want to be a ‘cool Dad’ and say, “Hey, no problem, do whatever you want, just be safe about it.’ What Dad? What words of wisdom do you have for me?”

“I just…I saw what you did, and…I liked it. I don’t understand why it’s such a huge secret. I mean, in a cigar box under the bed?”

“I don’t know, it’s personal, and…you like it?”

“Yeah, I used to do it myself, back in the day. But then, I don’t know, I got a job, and…I don’t know. Yeah, I like it.”

Dad loosened his grip on the box. Jared slid it towards himself and opened the lid.

“So…what part did you like?”

“I like the antagonist. You can never go wrong with a good bad guy.”

Jared took his composition book out of the box.

“I mean, I noticed some stuff: Minor things, like some subject-verb agreement stuff, but–”

“Well, it’s not finished, it’s not even a first draft. That’s why I wasn’t sharing it.”

“No, that’s fine. What I’m trying to say is, if you need an editor…”

“Oh.” Jared looked at the book, then looked at his dad. “Thanks.”

“No problem. Oh, and here’s a quick tip: If you’re hiding something from us, maybe you don’t want to put it in a cigar box.”

Jared laughed.

“I’m just saying: What was the thought process there? ‘I don’t want mom or dad to find this, so I’ll hide it in here. That way, they’ll think I’m just smoking Dutch Masters in my room and they won’t think anything of it’?”

“Shut up…” Jared and Dad laughed. Dad put his arm around him and Jared took his book and the box back upstairs. It was almost writing time.

Oh man did I ever get a good laugh over the cigar box hiding place! I love this piece for so many reasons.

Thank you very much! I used to keep Matchbox cars in a Dutch Masters box when I was little. The worst part about it was having to smoke all those cigars in order to have an empty box for my cars. Just kidding–I don’t know where that box came from and it just struck me as being a weird thing for a kid to have.

Loved this piece, I used to have those cigar boxes to put all sorts of secret stuff as well. Think they came from my grand dad. They were the perfect size and depth for the many thing I treasured. And decorating them was the best part.

Wow, I love this.  So funny and great.

Ha!  Two entries today in which journals had been read without permission.  That was funny though.  You were really leading us on.  Thanks!

I know, right? Right after I posted my piece, I scrolled through the others and read them. As soon as I started reading Tom’s I was like “Well, what do you know about that?” I loved his take on the “someone reading another’s journal” idea…and was relieved mine didn’t turn out to be a rip-off of his!

Thanks! I appreciate it.

Oh, the fine line between snooping and caring.  Your dialogue is so natural.  The characters fall so naturally into place.  Good teaching material for newbies like myself.

Thank you! It’s good to know all the talking to myself that I do pays off.

Fantastic, though I can’t get the old commercial out of my head: “From you, OK? I learned it by watching you!”

HA! That commercial’s a classic. And seeing as how they make movies based on board games and theme park rides, someone should make a big-budget feature-length movie based on this commercial. I’m thinking Zac Efron as Distraught Kid and George Clooney as Hypocrite Dad.

Putting the writing in the cigar box was funny.

I had to go back to the beginning to make sure it works. Because, you know, on first reading it leads to assuming it’s another anti-drugs public announcement ad. Does that make me a born editor?

this was so awesome!

I suppose I write for self-discovery and for the journey.  I feel that I can express myself better in writing than I do verbally.  I hope to hear words of encouragement because of my writing.  Something to the effect of “I really like what you’ve written, or that made me think, or that’s exactly what I’ve been going through.”  Knowing I’ve connected with someone on a personal level is encouraging to me. 

Yesterday, I read a post about journaling by Michael Hyatt.  He shared a journaling app that I just had to try.  This is my 15 minute journaling entry from this morning.

ON EXERCISE

The morning is almost over. Sadie got her run and I got mine, two miles in fact. That made me proud. It was quite an accomplishment. Had it been a bit earlier while the air was still cool, I might have done three. In any case, I can see my ability improving.

While I was running, I thought about my body. “They say” you should think about how your body works when you exercise. I try to focus on my breathing first. Breath in through my nose and out through my mouth in short puffs. I’ve got that down pretty well. Next, I try and focus on my abdomen. Taking big breaths into my lungs and forcing out slowly from my diaphragm.

All I can think of is an article I read years ago about what happens when our lungs age. Like any other muscle, it becomes less effective. It looses its elasticity and become brittle. It’s important to keep our lungs in good working order by taking in deep breaths and getting the oxygen generating through our bodies and to our brains. Jogging does this for me.

My knees are in pretty good shape. My left one has a little bit of twinge inside the knee cap. I tend to think it’s because my quads aren’t strong enough. Maybe by the end of the summer, I’ll sign up at the fitness center (again). I could run every other day and do leg lifts on the alternate days. The outer part of my right leg gives me a little problem. It might be from my broken leg I experienced two years ago. That atrophied quite a bit. I’m sure, overtime, the muscle will build back up.

Which brings me to my feet. DH says I throw my right foot in really bad. I don’t think I was ever aware of that before. Could that also be a result of my break? I tried to lengthen my stride rather than speed up my pace (or, are they the same?). It was obvious, I wasn’t ready for that. I’ll just take each morning as it comes and do the best I can for that time.

I’m so glad I started. It gives me that time to think about my writing and reflect on what I’ve accomplished so far.

(I posted this earlier today, but it didn’t show up in the comments section.  Not sure why.)

“I feel that I can express myself better in writing than I do verbally.”

Definitely. I know that’s true for me.

I’m glad I’m not alone on the verbal issue.  I find that I hold back and end up feeling inadequate or just saying nothing at all.

A lot of people say they get inspired while walking or running.  Your writing is clear and kept me running along with you.  

Thank you, Marianne.  

My gosh, I was right there with you.  I love the way your thoughts skitter. Beautiful.

Thank you, Marla.  Skitter.  I like that.

So, I’m the only one writing solely to achieve world domination and crazy mad cash? No one else? No?

For real, though, I write to get noticed, I’ll admit that. My creative abilities are one of the weapons in my arsenal that make me stand out. Lord knows it’s not rugged good looks, lots of money, or athletic ability.

But I write to discover meaning and “change the world”, too. It means the world to me when someone likes or gets something from what I’ve written, not just for the ego boost, but because I feel like I’ve contributed to the dialogue. I’m participating, not just standing by.

Love your honesty!

Thanks! I try to keep it real.

I guess I must agree with Victor Frankl, I write to express what thought are current and hope to draw in those who may be in the same place or have been there for one reason or another. Just last night, i found myself lost in dark place and I knew I had to get it out. The only way I knew to do this was to simply write it down and share it, in hopes that someone would get it, as I reached out, unashamed of what I was feeling, I needed to reveal the darkness that has been twisting me inside and out. I wrote “standing in the mirror, not looking ahead, no desire to see who it is, only wishing to vanish within the dust in the air. always afraid of the monster that lies in waiting, feeding off of the guilt and voices from within, ushering in the chilling thoughts of failure and overloaded burdens that are just too much. loneliness takes its victim to the slaughter as the passion for life is smothered by the silence in the dark. is there a home for the lonely? will God embrace failure? will anyone notice the void? my thoughts carry on, like the silent jagged edged blade of a slow and painfully hidden cry in the abyss. my flesh weakens with time, my ghost wanders, searching for a home as the angels weep”. mlhatcher.blogspot.com

I’m addicted to language, the way words strung together by ordinary people telling everyday stories can turn into poetry.  In the car I listen to talk instead of music: NPR, Canadian Radio, BBC.  In interviews you can hear a cadence sometimes, a rhythm that thrums through the airwaves and surrounds you. 

Once, at one of my best friend’s father’s funeral, I slipped a pencil out and took notes on the program – I’m not really proud of this – because he’d been a Mason, and these country men, their Southern accents heavy, recited the service they’d been taught, an oral history passed down generation after generation.  It’s not supposed to written down.  One of the men, dressed in white gloves too small, and a Mason’s white apron, called on the “Great Pontificator,” and my heart soared.

And once, while interviewing a man who woke from a fitful sleep to the knowledge he’d been called to perserve one of Arkansas’ oldest cemeteries, said this when I ask him why he loved the place. “Look around,” he said.  The pines there were so tall they blocked the sun and the monuments were mostly statues: angels, obelisks, and a few markers that were only sandstone, heavy pieces of rock without any markings.  “Look,” he said.  “We’re standing in a piece of time frozen.”  And then he pointed with his cigarette, “And my mother’s buried over there next to the Confederates.  I bring flowers every week.”

Just this past weekend, I found this in the personal ads of our local paper.  It’s GOT to be a story.  “LOOKING for a slim sexy blond lady to have an intimate relationship without sex. A lady that likes guns, no smoker or drinker. Lady between 25-30. Christian a must. Hey Girls’s can you bait a hook, cause I’m quite a catch.”

It’s everywhere, this music we call language, and in the South you still hear the great old sayings like, “I’m busier than a one-legged rooster in a two-story hen house.”  I am blessed beyond measure. I just wish I could write faster.

Hearing the cadence in language is precisely how I see it, as well.  When I was learning Japanese, sometimes I would just sit and let it wash over me without making an effort to grab every phrase and word.  You could hear the music within.  It was beautiful.

A few years ago someone told me “Don’t ever stop writing, Suzie” I laughed it off. Truth is I can’t stop writing, some of it is dire, some passable, hopefully one day it will be more than that. Practice, practice, practice.

Twenty five roller-coaster years, how do we celebrate that, honey?” “I dunno babe, maybe a trip, do we have any tokens?”

“Let me check. Wouldn’t you think we’d be above coupon clipping after all this time,” Jenny spoke as she rifled through the coupon drawer.

“Hey, don’t start with me! You know why I never took the promotions, I didn’t plan on any of the stuff that’s happened,” Phil countered becoming more defensive with each word.

“Honey, cool it, it was just a throw-away. I didn’t mean to hurt you. You’re right, and Philip Solomon, I would not change one thing about our life. Imagine if we wrote it down sometime?”

“Aha, that would be like ‘War and Peace’, there’s our two families for starters, then the kids. Nothing prepared us for having children with disabilities. We could write a book for each child and a three volume treatise on your mother!”

“Phil, don’t be mean, I have been healed of my past, I might still have the physical scars but the emotional ones are gone. What about a tv series like ‘Shameless’ for your siblings,”

“Ha, ha, ha, oh Jennifer Lynn Solomon you are going to be ticked some for that, C’m here!”

The two, should know betters, fooled around, jumping over the sofa and chairs, chasing each other whilst laughing at each other acting like newly weds instead of approaching fifty.

To be better understood, and to understand ourselves better.

I am, by profession, a writer.

Laypeople, hearing this, tend to think I write novels. I imagine they reach back to their memories of The Shining or Misery (strange how many novels King wrote about writers) and try to pigeon me into that authorial hole. 

Some even seem disappointed at my appearance. I’m not dishevelled or wild-eyed. I only drink whiskey when I’m trying to impress someone. I don’t even own a typewriter; a device that, at least in the Bay Area, seems deemed more essential to poetic credibility than the ability to write.

But I’m not a writer writer. I’m a copywriter.

And when I think about my motivations—why I spend agonizing hours aligning word to word, why I measure time by campaigns and fire sales—the first thing that comes to mind is money.

And I wonder… When did it stop being about creating something meaningful? And how do you find your voice—your true voice—when you’ve spent a lifetime speaking for others?

I have a friend who is a copywriter.  I’m amazed at the way he thinks.  I know what you do is hard work.  It takes a certain type of person to be successful in this area.  I admire good copywriters.

Mmm… I felt this. 

Can you have both? Can you make copywriting an art?

This is a great post!  I definitely write for all four of those reasons.  The one that stood out to me the most was the fourth.  Writing to find meaning!  That is usually where I live.  I write to understand and find meaning in life. Writing allows me some control over the things that are beyond my control.

Aspie Writer http://www.aspiewriter.blogspot.com

Why I Write: Because I feel a release with each word. Because once you put to words to paper they stop pounding around your chest like a ping pong ball. Because I want to know which stories are important. Because maybe other people won’t make the same mistakes I did. Because I stutter. Because I can never find the right words when I say it out loud. Because some words are too heavy for the air, they need something solid to rest on. Because nothing I write is ever incorrect. Because my experiences and opinions can’t just disappear when I die. Because a piece of paper will always listen. Because emotions crawl out with the words down my neck, across my arms, and out of my fingers. Because “I love you” sounds cheap when you say it outloud. Because I want to make other people laugh. Because I want to capture something. Because my sisters and I always made stories growing up, but none of us wrote them down. 

Joe- I find your site to be like an expensive department store window, I don’t pass it often, but every once in a while I make a point to detour and drool through the windows.  So I find it odd that today while browsing I came across this particular entry.  And it just so happens that this was my focus this week.  This week I discovered that I write because it is the only way to find sanity and reason in the mess that I call my head.  And so that was my blog theme this week- a small exercise I attempt weekly (www.scissortailsongs.blogspot.com).  Thanks for your faithful entries.

Hello, I have always written stories from the young age of 14. I am now a senior lady writing a novel that takes place in the year of 1946: there is a time warp within my novel that brings the reader to the present year of 2012. Many twists and turn. I am just about half way through and loving every minute. Noel 

I personally write for several reasons. I write to release,I write to clear my mind and to share my thoughts with the world…I could go on and on but I write for a lot of reasons. This article os extremely true and even thought he didn’t hit every single reason,he did make an excellent point. Good Job!!!!! ^_^

Good answer, Joe. I was just pondering this question and googled it. It has become for me like exercise. If I don’t do it for a few days, I get cranky. I want to make a mark, change the world. Perhaps there is more inside me that wants to come out and be heard. Perhaps there is a message that people need to hear. I’ll never know unless I speak and write it out. Maybe I don’t have to understand. Maybe like Nike says “Just do it!”

I’m actually writing 400-500 word short stories every fifteen minutes. I literally cannot stop writing, and it’s so much fun! I have, ever since I was eleven, wanted to write for a living. Writing is liberating, and knowing full-well that I can create a world all of my own is wonderful. Don’t you guys think the same about writing?

I am not a writer.But i have this story that people need to read.And it has to be a real good story before they will put it in the papers.I would do it but myself but my spelling isn’t to good and i wouldn’t know how to start a story

I write to get the stories out of my head and make room for new ones to form. I write to share my love of writing with others, helping them to become better writers and (hopefully) write to support themselves.

Totally, Angie. 🙂

It didn’t always open. Some nights the clock would strike twelve and no door would blossom out of the southwest corner of her living room.

But tonight it did. And Maura tucked the beginning rows of her crochet project into a purple project bag, grabbed the plum fleece hoodie off the back of her favorite chair, slipped into her well-worn flats, and walked through the open door.

Sometimes the door opened to a hospital room, sometimes into a stranger’s home, and sometimes to the space underneath a bridge. Maura had no way of knowing where in the world the door would take her, but one thing she knew to expect. In every place she found someone who was dying alone — who had either minutes or a few hours left of life. And she stayed with her host until the end, no matter what he said to her, and no matter where his soul seemed to be headed.

Sometimes they exchanged words. Sometimes Maura would remain close, praying silently as her host faded by the minute. She trusted that everything counted, that in the space between conscious life and death the soul’s encounter with its Creator would be influenced by her small presence and her quiet prayers. Sometimes there was little else to do.

And sometimes her host wanted nothing to do with her.

Through long minutes with poisonous words, the last rebellious ventings of a tortured soul at the brink of oblivion, Maura stayed and waited, holding her tongue if she had nothing to say, or if the words that came to mind would have only added to her host’s bitterness.

These encounters changed Maura as much as they did those whom she attended. Her mother noticed it, as did her brother and sister and her co-workers at the library.

So did a particular patron of the library: a gorgeous, if slightly unkempt, forty-something college professor who always seemed happy to see her.

The only one who didn’t remark on the changes was a man who sometimes visited the same places she did on the other side of the door. He lived on the other side of the world, but a door opened in his home, too, though not at the same hour, and sometimes he found Maura already there with their host. Sometimes, not.

At first, it was awkward finding someone else there with the one dying. Maura didn’t feel as free to either speak or to silently pray with one hand resting on the shoulder of her host. Nick (Nicolai ____) felt similarly inhibited, though less so.

They soon grew accustomed to each other, though. Nick found himself hoping Maura would be there. Maura was more changeable. Sometimes she hoped he wasn’t there, but some nights she actually prayed he would be.

Wow, this is so good Sarah. So imaginative. I’m fascinated and wondering where this all leads!

Thanks, Joe! It’s taking shape as I work on it. Your response to the beginning encourages me. Have a great day and weekend! 🙂

That is such a great question, every time I get frustrated with a writing project and stop I ask myself why do this, why am I compelled to write… The other day as I was working on the rough draft of my next book, it came to me- I’m an artist. My writing long hand and making the strokes with my pen or pencil to create words is like an artists brush strokes which will create a picture. Writing is rhythmic,when my fingers glide over the keyboard it’s like a dancers graceful moves on the dance floor…. To be alive is to be creative and to be creative is to be me.

Yeah! Love this. Thanks Debra.

I guess mine falls under, “to feel alive.” This isn’t grammatically correct, but my brain always thinks: I CAN’T NOT WRITE. It’s whom I am. Thanks for sharing, Joe.

I can relate to that. Thanks Marcy!

Not a ‘writer’ but do write casually and recently did a post, at a new site, on this same subject, with several different reasons – http://www.shouldyouwrite.com/four-reasons-why-we-write/ Thanks for what you do…

You’ve touched on some hotspots there, Sir.

I think you pulled it off right here: “We write to be fully alive. Writing draws us into the moment. We see the blades of grass, hear the miniscule chirp of the morning cricket, watch the shade travel from one edge of the yard to the other, seemingly for the first time.”

Powerful stuff. Thanks, Mr. Joe.

Good one there it is true..that if a man doesn’t read (write)he dies so many deaths before they actually die.

Why I write I search for “significance”. I find it and I have the urgent need to share it. I want other people to be touched as much as I am.

I am sitting infront of a window seeing the most amazing landscapes, action and moments. Through my window I see time and many other things unseen.

My inner eyes look, search and look again until I find that which moves me, hoping it will move you too.

why do people write let me know guys

The Night You Died

The night you died A part of me went with you The night you died My heart sank into my stomach The night you died My world collapsed The night you died My life fell apart The night you died I lost my best friend The night you died I lost my hero The night you died I lost my father

I wrote because my children did not believe that no other white girl had grown up as a “Slave Girl” as I did. I never learned anythng that young girls should know. Plantation live was fun for me with nothing but 7 older brothers to play with as a three year old. Later, it was demanded, because I was good at it all. There were 70 to 80 hired hands on the plantation. I did it all. Did I learn to cook, sew, bring books home from school or read for fun? NO!

Raised in a culture that seemed as though the depression was never over, I clawed my way out of the darkness of naivete to find and experience a world I had never known. Writting this was harder than anything I ever did after going through seven years of college.

They made me do it! “They Called Me Jo: A White Slave Girl” By: Jacqi Fromauex

I love freewriting. I did the exercise yesterday morning and I think it’s one of my better posts of late.

You can find it published here: http://www.justinwheeler.net/what-to-write-about-when-you-dont-know-what-to-write-about/

It’s the second time I have done this exercise in my latest attempt in becoming a daily blogger. 16 days and counting so far!

we write to make our own little changer in the world. To make a name for our self to show the world what we want them to see. My parents always told me that if I ever wanted to make a change in the world we had to start some where. And if we didn’t like something and we did not try and changer it that we had no room to criticize about it.

I write because it makes me feel like I have a purpose. On my worst days, I feel absolutely terrible about myself. I try to channel that into my writing, this feeling of having no power and no hope. After a while, when I read back of what I’ve written, it makes me smile. Even on my worst days, I can dive into my imagination and create something beautiful.

I write not ’cause I can I write ’cause I must Every day I skip Seems a total bust.

I write because I hear Rolling syllables in my head Which I must capture Lest they go dead.

I write to entertain To pull forth a laughter Or to paint a picture To sustain peace after.

I write to show the me That otherwise I hide To open up the depths That lay on the inside.

Lastly I write To pull the strings of your mind Hoping to give a perspective You otherwise might not find.

Three years later, this is still as true as every.

I write because it helps with my depression. I can find some normality out of something that feels crazy and scary.

‘Write your Memoir: The Soul Work of Telling your Story by Allan G. Hunter.

I never knew why I wanted to write. Years ago I read a great book by an English lady writer who’s name I only remember as Marion. A quote from her book was, ‘write if you must’.

I’ve gathered from that, she meant something along the lines of, ‘you are in for a rough trot, fella!’ And it has been. However, I’m finding that the more I get into it and do my journal work, my practice work, all the ‘yadder-yadder-yadder’ that sounds like two marbles rattling round in a tin, seems to get knocked into a little bit more tolerable thinking processes. It also irons out a bit of stress also.

It appears that the desire to create is much stronger in some compared with others. And I think that actually has to be addressed; inasmuch as it needs to be qualified just why one wants to write. If there is no definite purpose writing, then, ‘you are in for a rough trot, fella!’

A young boy’s father had an apple orchard and he worked there during his school holidays. One day the foreman got the boy to assist in the irrigation of the trees.

The gate of the channel was opened and the water flowed in the general direction to where the boy stood. However, the water began to go all over the place and he was in a quandary as to what to do. The foreman came over and took the shovel out of the boy’s hands, and, with a few swift strokes of the shovel made a channel that sent the water in the required direction.

The foreman said, “If you want the water to stay on course; you’ve got to have somewhere for it to go.”

Right now unfortunately my writing has stalled and I dont know why… when I cant or dont write I find myself angry and mad about everything…. yet when i do write I am right with the world. it really doesnt make sense. I feel like I’m stuck in quick sand that wont pull me under or spit me back out to dry land. And I’ve tried other things like volunteering, coloring painting , and nothing is working… Suck a frustrating time.

I never know what to write about! I truly love writing and I want to improve it but I let anxiety hold me back. The fear of being bad at something I love doing. The fear of people thinking I am weird. The fear to make mistakes. I recently got contacted by someone on tumblr who asked me to write for their website. I literally waited for weeks to write them and email. Just because I was scared. Yes, I am only 15. Yes, I don’t have any experience. Yes, English isn’t my first language. But does that mean that I shouldn’t take the opportunity to improve and learn? No, I shouldn’t. I wrote them an email 5 minutes ago and I sat looking at my screen for 20 minutes doubting if I should send the mail. I did but I doubted for a long time. I always find myself writing when I am either hurt, broken or empty. When things go better a couple months ago I just stopped writing. I think I wrote 4 pages in the past 4 months. That’s bad. I have to keep practicing and learning. Improving my writing style, broaden my vocabulary. But I don’t, it’s like I’d rather feel lazy and like a failure because I don’t writing anymore. Every time I have to write an essay for school I am reminded of my love for language and words. I love to just ramble on for hours. I love to write silly things, bad poems, stupid teenage crap. I remember how great I feel after I put down the pen. How great I feel when I find something good between all the crap I’ve written. I’d love to be a writer someday and I hope I one day will finally do what I love all day long. I’d love to learn to write about my happiness, about the way I fall in love with little things every day. I don’t want to keep describing my empty chest and the struggle of getting back up because that’s not my life. I can be very happy and I can be very sad. I should learn to appreciate both of them. Learn to express myself in more ways and to keep practicing. I hope the website gives me a chance to improve, learn and get to know myself more.

Behind the Eyes of Gustaf

As I now look back, I realize that I had been a ready victim, but little did I realize it at the time, for after all it was spring, a time so unlike any other time of the year–a time that held promise of budding things to come. It had held promise for me as well. But like most promises, not all were meant to be fulfilled. Had I only known.

I shall never forget that spring day when I first met Gustaf. He was sitting on a wooden bench that appeared terribly uncomfortable; yet, he didn’t seem to mind, as he’d continued to laugh and talk with those young men who had gathered around him, and who had seemed to hang onto his every word.

He looked up just as I had cleared the very last stair. Our eyes met, and we each had the strangest expression on our faces.

Oddly enough, it was an expression that we had previously met, that we had been close friends, and that we had been reunited at long last, which struck me as rather odd, as I had never before met this man, for if I had, surely, I would have recalled.

As I stood staring and thinking, a most peculiar feeling began to surge within me, and recognizing it for what it was I blushed, caught my breath, and tried desperately to still my fast-beating heart. For I knew immediately what had caused me to feel so peculiar. In the strangest sort of way, I was simply drawn to this man.

I felt emotionally nude, as I stood there before him, while noticing his full smile at my obvious discomfiture. For under his penetrating gaze, I felt a sense of powerlessness, intrigue, and danger. But these were but a few of the things I was to feel and experience under his sell, as his masculine charm was indeed overwhelming.

Suddenly, I felt myself walking toward him, and just as suddenly I stopped. For although he’d said nothing to dissuade me, I felt that he had, as I was positive he’d said no, not now, later.

To be sure I had understood, I searched his face for confirmation. But there was none, except for the smile that had given way to a frown of annoyance which mean I had been dismissed.

Ever confused, I lowered my eyes as though I’d been chastised. I turned and walked reluctantly away, but ever determined to meet tis fascinating man again, a man who’d said so much, but who had actually said nothing.

In the strangest sense, Gustaf didn’t seem to belong to the world. Rather, the world seemed to belong to him, and oddly enough this was one of the most interesting aspects about him.

I sensed, too, that he’d never actually loved, but had been loved, which really didn’t seem to matter, as I doubted he was aware of this obvious flaw, since he seemed on a different plane, from a different time, if such a thing were possible.

Everything about him had attracted my attention. But at first, it was his voice and his laughter, which were so distinct, so different from anything I’d heard before, as there was gaiety for certain in his seemingly ever-deepening voice. But there was also an unmistakable tone of seriousness that I found quite interesting and most disturbing.

Gustaf didn’t seem to care about anything or anyone, which made him that much more desirable, and because of this he seemed terribly lonely, spent, and even somewhat distant.

There was also a discernible, ascetic quality about him–a detachment. For he seemed a traveler, never staying too long in any place, never establishing firm roots. I sensed, too, that he needed me most desperately, and because I had always needed someone it was ever refreshing to find someone who was in need of me.

His hair was closely cropped–neatly trimmed–and his skin appeared tanned. But it was his eyes that had been most arresting, as they’d seemed to hold some type of mystery, a genius untapped, a knowledge to impart. He seemed a teacher, but at the same time a student.

It was true Gustaf was strangely handsome, but there was an unsettling melancholy about his features which had immediately interested me, although this was not so apparent as it was to become later. For indeed, it was everything about him that was alluring, but at the same time contradictory. And it was this, I think, that made him unique, if not dangerous.

Readily, I admit Gustaf excited me and, at the same time, terrified me. I was to realize, however, that he held me firmly in an ever-tightening grip. But I wouldn’t have had it any other way, even though I had sensed the presence of evil in his company.

And although the encounter had been brief, I knew within my heart that he and I were destined to be together, but in what capacity I dared not guess, for this was to be in spite of my better judgment and my being overly pragmatic, because just this once I was to follow my foolish heart.

So it was. Whenever I think of spring, I’m ever reminded of Gustaf, and strangely enough, as spring comes and goes, so it was to be with him, for he suddenly came into my life, and he just as suddenly departed.

But unlike spring, however, Gustaf was not to return, at least, not as I had come to know him.

I came here for lesson ideas for my 10th and 11th grade English classroom. I have loved writing all of my life and wish to pass that love on to others, but there are some that just don’t “get” it. There is a divine spark in some that are able to express themselves through writing, just as everyone has a spark for different things. For those students for whom writing isn’t their “thing,” I can offer them at best a formulaic approach to writing. It will get the job done. They will pass the test, and they will be able to present themselves intelligently to the world. I miss being a student, though. I miss the search for approval from my English teachers and the accolades I would receive on my papers. Writing for me was a very rewarding experience. I understand that not everyone has that experience, though, and so I try to encourage each student in their own way. “Search for the good,” they say. You will usually find whatever it is you are looking for. I miss writing, though. These days it seems I spent much more time reading other people’s (usually horrible) writing than getting to write on my own. I hope that I am not losing my gift. I hope that I am not becoming hardened with time. Writing is an art, it is not a science. Therefore, when an inexperienced writer takes some tip or “rule” that was meant to help in an inappropriate way, they become confused when I tell them that it does not work in this case. There are nuances to language; not all language rules are set in stone. I would like to write a book, eventually. Problem is that I don’t know what to write about! Sounds silly, but it’s true. When I took a creative writing course in high school I could write about anything, as long as I was given a prompt or topic. Now that I am an adult and on my own, the possibilities drag on like an infinite horizon in front of me. There are no paths carved out; I am all lost and alone in the magnitude of it all. My motivation for writing is to make my voice heard in the din, but to also speak for those who have no voice. I am a very observant person and would like to think that I can feel what other’s are feeling. I believe that the best writing builds empathy for others in its readers. I would like to write a book called “What It Means to be Human” about how easy it is to fail in this world. Perhaps it would be a tragedy, since the purpose of great tragedies is to build sympathy for the protagonist, but I do not think I could kill anybody off. I would want my hero to succeed in the end. The idea of being sympathetic for those who fail is an idea that is completely lost in our current society. We are told from a young age that success comes from hard work. But what is success? And what is hard work? I am sure the waitress working sub minimum wage works her tail off, but is she considered successful? Yes, I know… for every success story there is a “picking yourself up by your bootstraps” story of one’s rise from poverty to greatness. However, there are a great many other factors in these stories than simply hard work. One could spend their entire lives putting their nose to the grindstone, but if they have to purpose of goal, it will be wasted energy. So much of success is knowing the right people and being in the right place at the right time that it is impossible to simplify it down to simply hard work. That is what privileged people say to make you believe that they earned their privilege.

I want to write to make my audience feel something. I want to write something beautiful that will make my readers pause and feel like it is wonderful to be alive. I have felt this way about other works that I have read, works that opened my mind to the possibilities of our universe, such as Madeline L’Engle as a child, and I have felt this way upon reading the perfect explanation of a human emotion, such as Kate Chopin just this past summer. There are forevers in our feeble forms, eternities in our mortality. I wish to explore the unending depths of existence.

I want to write to be remembered and to leave a legacy for family and friends.

I´M GIVING A WRITING COURSE AND I´M SHOWING THIS WEBSITE TO MY STUDENTS. THEY ARE HAPPY TO READ YOU. THEY WERE ASKED TO START WRITING IN A BLOG. NEXT WEEK, THERE ARE HOLIDAYS IN MEXICO AND THEY´LL START DOING IT.

I AM HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND YOUR SITE.

GREETINGS FROM MEXICO CITY.

If you have been typing “ do my assignment online ” for last few days, then you should take help from our experts. We offer the best price in the industry. Our rates will not make a hole in your pocket.

I always live in some story of my own creation. I have been thinking to write a book. But, I feel low that whether I can. I fail to articulate the feel that I experience in thoughts into words or texts. Please, try to suggest me. Thank you.

Yeah, I really like this article. I write to make a name of myself.

Thanks for sharing this post. Strategy and Planning Assignment Help

Why do we laud and honor some writers? Why do we consider their writings so great? We quote, and quote, and quote. What makes those writers so noteworthy, or should I say quote-worthy? I read an article that quotes some famous person, and wonder why that person is given such credence. What makes their thoughts so great? Why is their opinion any better than an opposing opinion? Maybe we quote someone just to back up our opinion. I am of the opinion that all writings are opinion. Even the Bible is opinion. It’s God’s opinion, so I value it more than any other. Perhaps that’s the answer! Who’s opinion do you value? I value opinion that rings true. “Prove all things. Hold fast that which is true.”

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The Ivy Coach Daily

• College Admissions
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• The Rankings

February 7, 2023

How to Write a ‘Why Do You Want to Go to This College’ Essay

Sometimes the prompt is as short as two words: “ Why Tufts? ” Other times, the prompt, like that of Cornell’s , is rather wordy: “Students in Arts and Sciences embrace the opportunity to delve into multifaceted academic interests, embodying in 21st century terms Ezra Cornell’s ‘any person…any study’ founding vision. Tell us about the areas of study you are excited to explore, and specifically why you wish to pursue them in our College.”

Yet both of these prompts — and so many other college essay prompts — pose the same question: Why do you want to go to this college?

The Top Colleges That Ask “Why College” Essay Prompts

The following top 25 national universities in the 2023  US News & World Report ranking pose “Why College” essays:

• Princeton University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Stanford University
• Yale University
• University of Chicago
• University of Pennsylvania
• Duke University
• Northwestern University
• Dartmouth College
• Brown University
• Rice University
• Cornell University
• Columbia University
• University of Notre Dame
• Georgetown University
• University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
• University of Southern California

The following top 25 liberal arts colleges in the 2023  US News & World Report ranking pose “Why College” essays:

• Swarthmore College
• Wellesley College
• Bowdoin College
• Claremont McKenna College
• Washington and Lee University
• Davidson College
• Hamilton College
• Barnard College
• Colgate University (for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle, essay prompts only appeared after students submitted applications — it was very sneaky of Colgate!)
• Haverford College

The Specific “Why College” Essay Prompts for the Top Colleges

Of the top 25 national universities in the 2023  US News & World Report ranking, the following is a breakdown of the specific wording of their “ Why College ” essays, along with the respective word counts:

Of the top 25 liberal arts colleges in the 2023  US News & World Report  ranking, the following is a breakdown of the specific wording of their “Why College” essays, along with the respective word counts:

What Colleges Want to See in “Why College” Essay Responses

Admissions officers at America’s elite universities want to see that students have done their homework on the institution they’re applying to. They want to see that the student isn’t just submitting another application for the sake of submitting another application. In fact, so many universities ask “Why College” essay questions because admissions officers seek to admit students who they believe will matriculate. After all, their yield, or the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll, matters to them.

The Importance of Demonstrated Interest

A great way to shape the yield is by admitting students they think are likely to enroll — or quantifying a student’s Demonstrated Interest . And what’s a good indicator of a student’s Demonstrated Interest? An applicant who cites specific after specific in their “Why College” essay. Likewise, a good indicator that a student has no intention of enrolling or that the college is a backup for the student is a “Why College” essay devoid of specifics.

How to Find Specifics for “Why College” Essays

Students searching for specifics to include in “Why College” essays should zero in on the school’s student newspaper (especially if the newspaper has archives dating back many years), Facebook, Instagram, Google Earth, and more.

If there’s a lecture series a student wishes to write about, chances are there are photos of the talk available on Facebook or Instagram. Students should comb through those photos as well as the captions. By doing so, they’ll be able to include small details, like the fact that it took place in Lowell Lecture Hall.

How to Write a “Why College” Essay

Some students worry that painting a portrait of themselves on the school’s campus is presumptuous since they may not earn admission. But admissions officers know the drill. They know students are painting a portrait of their dream, and admissions officers need to be able to envision you at their school, getting involved in the college’s community.

In addition to citing specific after specific, it’s also important that students write this essay in a conversational tone. College essays should not be formal — they’ll read as too dry. As such, students should aim to avoid beginning sentences with words like “however,” “nevertheless,” and “thus” as much as possible. It’s all about writing colloquially!

The “Why College” essay exercise is ultimately all about showing rather than telling. Telling a college that it’s a student’s first choice isn’t credible since that college knows the student can write that sentence for every school they apply to. But by including specific after specific, by showing rather than telling, they have a better chance of convincing admissions officers of their message.

5 Things Applicants Must Do in “Why College” Essays

• Tailor most sentences to the school they’re applying to.  If a student can read the sentence aloud and replace the school’s name with another school, and the sentence still works, the student should delete it!
• Write about themselves actively engaged on the school’s campus.  It’s not an essay just about the student. And it’s not an essay just about the school. It’s the student plus the school.
• Cite enduring specifics about a school , like programs, institutes, the school’s culture, traditions, and so much more.
• Write only about the school in question.  While it may seem obvious, many students compare the school to other institutions. Yikes!
• Double-check the accuracy of the specifics cited.  Programs end. Activities get eliminated. Make sure all of the specifics mentioned remain timely.

5 Most Common Mistakes in “Why College” Essays

• Students cut and paste their “Why College” essays for multiple universities.  It’s transparent to admissions officers when students are not tailoring their “Why College” essay to the school they’re applying to. For instance, when a student writes that they want to attend a school because of it’s beautiful campus and engaged student body, admissions officers know full well that they likely used this same sentence for the other schools to which they applied. Instead, every sentence should contain a specific reference that applies only to the school. In a “Why Columbia” essay, if one can replace Columbia with Harvard and the sentence still works, delete it!
• Students name-drop professors and classes , thinking those count as specifics. Admissions officers are unlikely to believe a student wishes to attend a university because a specific person works there. Besides, no one likes a name-dropper. And they know students can easily cut and paste class names from one university’s course catalog to the next. In any case, classes change from year to year. Instead, students should endeavor to capture enduring specifics about a university.
• Students write about only themselves  for vast chunks of “Why College” essays, forgetting to write about the college. The “Why College” essay should be considered a date. If someone speaks about themselves endlessly on a date without asking about the other person, it’s unlikely to end well.
• Students cite incorrect specifics  about a university. Maybe it’s a leftover from another school’s “Why College” essay, or the student didn’t do their homework. Either way, writing about the D-Plan for Duke or the gorges for Penn will not bode well for a student’s candidacy at these schools.
• Students cite specifics in laundry lists.  While “Why College” essays should be brimming with specific after specific, it’s important not to include these specifics in a laundry list. Instead of naming one activity after another that a student hopes to participate in, applicants should let each activity breathe. They can do so by citing more minor specifics about the individual activity they’re referencing. In short, don’t just name the activity, but go into detail about that activity.

FAQs About the “Why This College?” Essay

Do applicants need to consult with students at a school to find specifics.

It’s not necessary. All the information you’ll need to find the specifics is available online. You just have to know where to look. For example, if you’re researching the Cornell Speech & Debate Society , go on the group’s Facebook page. Do you see how they recently competed at the Hell Froze Over Tournament in Austin? It’s these very kinds of specifics that showcase a student has done their homework.

Should applicants take extensive notes on college tours and information sessions to use this information in “Why College” essays?

No, because those aren’t the kinds of specifics worthy of including in “Why College” essays. That’s general information about universities offered on tours and info sessions. Instead, students should endeavor to teach admissions officers things they don’t know about their school — not regurgitate the school’s already-existing marketing material.

Is it impossible to find genuine specifics for “Why College” essays?

No, it’s pretty easy. Students simply need to know where to look. Did you know the archives for  The Cornell Daily Sun   date back to 1880? The stuff one can find out about Cornell in such articles — and the search function makes it relatively easy to navigate!

Does every university care about Demonstrated Interest?

Some universities claim not to care about Demonstrated Interest. For example, Emory University writes on its website, “Demonstrated interest” is  not  a factor in our application review process. Things have no impact on the evaluation of your application.”

But Emory is the university that  created  Demonstrated Interest. No matter how loudly or how vociferously Emory tries to argue that they don’t care about Demonstrated Interest, we urge students and parents not to believe Emory’s marketing material . Emory, like all highly selective universities, wants students to apply. As such, they don’t want to do anything to discourage students from applying — like creating barriers such as making it seem like students need to visit the campus to improve their case for admission.

So when a college tells applicants they don’t measure Demonstrated Interest, we urge that message to go in one ear and out the other. Arguably, the only school that doesn’t care about Demonstrated Interest is Harvard College — because Harvard knows students want to go there over just about every other school. Most other universities are insecure, and, as such, they want students to prove they want to go there.

Ivy Coach Helps Students Craft Compelling “Why College” Essays

Helping students craft powerful “Why College” essays that not only wow admissions officers but teach them intel they don’t even know about their school is a big part of what we do. If you’re interested in Ivy Coach ‘s assistance, fill out our free consultation form , and we’ll be in touch.

You are permitted to use www.ivycoach.com (including the content of the Blog) for your personal, non-commercial use only. You must not copy, download, print, or otherwise distribute the content on our site without the prior written consent of Ivy Coach, Inc.

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Frequently asked questions

Why do i have to write essays for us college applications.

Admissions officers use college admissions essays to evaluate your character, writing skills , and ability to self-reflect . The essay is your chance to show what you will add to the academic community.

The college essay may be the deciding factor in your application , especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurriculars.

Some colleges also require supplemental essays about specific topics, such as why you chose that specific college . Scholarship essays are often required to obtain financial aid .

Frequently asked questions: College admissions essays

When writing your Common App essay , choose a prompt that sparks your interest and that you can connect to a unique personal story.

No matter which prompt you choose, admissions officers are more interested in your ability to demonstrate personal development , insight, or motivation for a certain area of study.

The Common App essay is your primary writing sample within the Common Application, a college application portal accepted by more than 900 schools. All your prospective schools that accept the Common App will read this essay to understand your character, background, and value as a potential student.

Since this essay is read by many colleges, avoid mentioning any college names or programs; instead, save tailored answers for the supplementary school-specific essays within the Common App.

Most importantly, your essay should be about you , not another person or thing. An insightful college admissions essay requires deep self-reflection, authenticity, and a balance between confidence and vulnerability.

Your essay shouldn’t be a résumé of your experiences but instead should tell a story that demonstrates your most important values and qualities.

When revising your college essay , first check for big-picture issues regarding your message and content. Then, check for flow, tone, style , and clarity. Finally, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors .

If your college essay goes over the word count limit , cut any sentences with tangents or irrelevant details. Delete unnecessary words that clutter your essay.

If you’re struggling to reach the word count for your college essay, add vivid personal stories or share your feelings and insight to give your essay more depth and authenticity.

If you’ve got to write your college essay fast , don’t panic. First, set yourself deadlines: you should spend about 10% of your remaining time on brainstorming, 10% on outlining, 40% writing, 30% revising, and 10% taking breaks in between stages.

Second, brainstorm stories and values based on your essay prompt.

Third, outline your essay based on the montage or narrative essay structure .

Fourth, write specific, personal, and unique stories that would be hard for other students to replicate.

Fifth, revise your essay and make sure it’s clearly written.

Last, if possible, get feedback from an essay coach . Scribbr essay editors can help you revise your essay in 12 hours or less.

Avoid swearing in a college essay , since admissions officers’ opinions of profanity will vary. In some cases, it might be okay to use a vulgar word, such as in dialogue or quotes that make an important point in your essay. However, it’s safest to try to make the same point without swearing.

If you have bad grades on your transcript, you may want to use your college admissions essay to explain the challenging circumstances that led to them. Make sure to avoid dwelling on the negative aspects and highlight how you overcame the situation or learned an important lesson.

However, some college applications offer an additional information section where you can explain your bad grades, allowing you to choose another meaningful topic for your college essay.

Here’s a brief list of college essay topics that may be considered cliché:

• Extracurriculars, especially sports
• Role models
• Dealing with a personal tragedy or death in the family
• Struggling with new life situations (immigrant stories, moving homes, parents’ divorce)
• Becoming a better person after community service, traveling, or summer camp
• Overcoming a difficult class
• Using a common object as an extended metaphor

It’s easier to write a standout essay with a unique topic. However, it’s possible to make a common topic compelling with interesting story arcs, uncommon connections, and an advanced writing style.

Yes. The college application essay is less formal than other academic writing —though of course it’s not mandatory to use contractions in your essay.

In a college essay , you can be creative with your language . When writing about the past, you can use the present tense to make the reader feel as if they were there in the moment with you. But make sure to maintain consistency and when in doubt, default to the correct verb tense according to the time you’re writing about.

The college admissions essay gives admissions officers a different perspective on you beyond your academic achievements, test scores, and extracurriculars. It’s your chance to stand out from other applicants with similar academic profiles by telling a unique, personal, and specific story.

Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial to avoid distracting the reader from your college essay’s content.

A college application essay is less formal than most academic writing . Instead of citing sources formally with in-text citations and a reference list, you can cite them informally in your text.

For example, “In her research paper on genetics, Quinn Roberts explores …”

There is no set number of paragraphs in a college admissions essay . College admissions essays can diverge from the traditional five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in English class. Just make sure to stay under the specified word count .

Most topics are acceptable for college essays if you can use them to demonstrate personal growth or a lesson learned. However, there are a few difficult topics for college essays that should be avoided. Avoid topics that are:

• Overly personal (e.g. graphic details of illness or injury, romantic or sexual relationships)
• Not personal enough (e.g. broad solutions to world problems, inspiring people or things)
• Too negative (e.g. an in-depth look at your flaws, put-downs of others, criticizing the need for a college essay)
• Too boring (e.g. a resume of your academic achievements and extracurriculars)
• Inappropriate for a college essay (e.g. illegal activities, offensive humor, false accounts of yourself, bragging about privilege)

To write an effective diversity essay , include vulnerable, authentic stories about your unique identity, background, or perspective. Provide insight into how your lived experience has influenced your outlook, activities, and goals. If relevant, you should also mention how your background has led you to apply for this university and why you’re a good fit.

Many universities believe a student body composed of different perspectives, beliefs, identities, and backgrounds will enhance the campus learning and community experience.

Admissions officers are interested in hearing about how your unique background, identity, beliefs, culture, or characteristics will enrich the campus community, which is why they assign a diversity essay .

In addition to your main college essay , some schools and scholarships may ask for a supplementary essay focused on an aspect of your identity or background. This is sometimes called a diversity essay .

You can use humor in a college essay , but carefully consider its purpose and use it wisely. An effective use of humor involves unexpected, keen observations of the everyday, or speaks to a deeper theme. Humor shouldn’t be the main focus of the essay, but rather a tool to improve your storytelling.

Get a second opinion from a teacher, counselor, or essay coach on whether your essay’s humor is appropriate.

Though admissions officers are interested in hearing your story, they’re also interested in how you tell it. An exceptionally written essay will differentiate you from other applicants, meaning that admissions officers will spend more time reading it.

You can use literary devices to catch your reader’s attention and enrich your storytelling; however, focus on using just a few devices well, rather than trying to use as many as possible.

To decide on a good college essay topic , spend time thoughtfully answering brainstorming questions. If you still have trouble identifying topics, try the following two strategies:

• Identify your qualities → Brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities
• Identify memorable stories → Connect your qualities to these stories

You can also ask family, friends, or mentors to help you brainstorm topics, give feedback on your potential essay topics, or recall key stories that showcase your qualities.

Yes—admissions officers don’t expect everyone to have a totally unique college essay topic . But you must differentiate your essay from others by having a surprising story arc, an interesting insight, and/or an advanced writing style .

There are no foolproof college essay topics —whatever your topic, the key is to write about it effectively. However, a good topic

• Is meaningful, specific, and personal to you
• Focuses on you and your experiences
• Reveals something beyond your test scores, grades, and extracurriculars
• Is creative and original

Unlike a five-paragraph essay, your admissions essay should not end by summarizing the points you’ve already made. It’s better to be creative and aim for a strong final impression.

You should also avoid stating the obvious (for example, saying that you hope to be accepted).

There are a few strategies you can use for a memorable ending to your college essay :

• Return to the beginning with a “full circle” structure
• Reveal the main point or insight in your story
• Look to the future
• End on an action

The best technique will depend on your topic choice, essay outline, and writing style. You can write several endings using different techniques to see which works best.

College deadlines vary depending on the schools you’re applying to and your application plan:

• For early action applications and the first round of early decision applications, the deadline is on November 1 or 15. Decisions are released by mid-December.
• For the second round of early decision applications, the deadline is January 1 or 15. Decisions are released in January or February.
• Regular decision deadlines usually fall between late November and mid-March, and decisions are released in March or April.
• Rolling admission deadlines run from July to April, and decisions are released around four to eight weeks after submission.

Depending on your prospective schools’ requirements, you may need to submit scores for the SAT or ACT as part of your college application .

Some schools now no longer require students to submit test scores; however, you should still take the SAT or ACT and aim to get a high score to strengthen your application package.

Aim to take the SAT or ACT in the spring of your junior year to give yourself enough time to retake it in the fall of your senior year if necessary.

Apply early for federal student aid and application fee waivers. You can also look for scholarships from schools, corporations, and charitable foundations.

To maximize your options, you should aim to apply to about eight schools:

• Two reach schools that might be difficult to get into
• Four match schools that you have a good chance of getting into
• Two safety schools that you feel confident you’ll get into

The college admissions essay accounts for roughly 25% of the weight of your application .

At highly selective schools, there are four qualified candidates for every spot. While your academic achievements are important, your college admissions essay can help you stand out from other applicants with similar profiles.

In general, for your college application you will need to submit all of the following:

• Your personal information
• List of extracurriculars and awards
• College application essays
• Transcripts
• Standardized test scores
• Recommendation letters.

Different colleges may have specific requirements, so make sure you check exactly what’s expected in the application guidance.

You should start thinking about your college applications the summer before your junior year to give you sufficient time for college visits, taking standardized tests, applying for financial aid , writing essays, and collecting application material.

Yes, but make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt, respects the word count , and demonstrates the organization’s values.

If you plan ahead, you can save time by writing one scholarship essay for multiple prompts with similar questions. In a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, you can group or color-code overlapping essay prompts; then, write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can even reuse or adapt your main college essay .

You can start applying for scholarships as early as your junior year. Continue applying throughout your senior year.

Invest time in applying for various scholarships , especially local ones with small dollar amounts, which are likely easier to win and more reflective of your background and interests. It will be easier for you to write an authentic and compelling essay if the scholarship topic is meaningful to you.

You can find scholarships through your school counselor, community network, or an internet search.

A scholarship essay requires you to demonstrate your values and qualities while answering the prompt’s specific question.

After researching the scholarship organization, identify a personal experience that embodies its values and exemplifies how you will be a successful student.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

• A unique, personally meaningful topic
• A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
• Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
• Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
• Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
• A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay , and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Don’t forget to save enough time for breaks between each writing and editing stage.

You should already begin thinking about your essay the summer before your senior year so that you have plenty of time to try out different topics and get feedback on what works.

Your college essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s weight. It may be the deciding factor in whether you’re accepted, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurricular track records.

In most cases, quoting other people isn’t a good way to start your college essay . Admissions officers want to hear your thoughts about yourself, and quotes often don’t achieve that. Unless a quote truly adds something important to your essay that it otherwise wouldn’t have, you probably shouldn’t include it.

Cliché openers in a college essay introduction are usually general and applicable to many students and situations. Most successful introductions are specific: they only work for the unique essay that follows.

The key to a strong college essay introduction is not to give too much away. Try to start with a surprising statement or image that raises questions and compels the reader to find out more.

The introduction of your college essay is the first thing admissions officers will read and therefore your most important opportunity to stand out. An excellent introduction will keep admissions officers reading, allowing you to tell them what you want them to know.

You can speed up this process by shortening and smoothing your writing with a paraphrasing tool . After that, you can use the summarizer to shorten it even more.

If you’re struggling to reach the word count for your college essay, add vivid personal stories or share your feelings and insight to give your essay more depth and authenticity.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, don’t write too little, as it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a detailed and insightful narrative about yourself.

If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

In your application essay , admissions officers are looking for particular features : they want to see context on your background, positive traits that you could bring to campus, and examples of you demonstrating those qualities.

Colleges want to be able to differentiate students who seem similar on paper. In the college application essay , they’re looking for a way to understand each applicant’s unique personality and experiences.

You don’t need a title for your college admissions essay , but you can include one if you think it adds something important.

Your college essay’s format should be as simple as possible:

• Use a standard, readable font
• Use 1.5 or double spacing
• If attaching a file, save it as a PDF
• Stick to the word count
• Avoid unusual formatting and unnecessary decorative touches

There are no set rules for how to structure a college application essay , but these are two common structures that work:

• A montage structure, a series of vignettes with a common theme.
• A narrative structure, a single story that shows your personal growth or how you overcame a challenge.

Avoid the five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in high school.

Campus visits are always helpful, but if you can’t make it in person, the college website will have plenty of information for you to explore. You should look through the course catalog and even reach out to current faculty with any questions about the school.

Colleges set a “Why this college?” essay because they want to see that you’ve done your research. You must prove that you know what makes the school unique and can connect that to your own personal goals and academic interests.

Depending on your writing, you may go through several rounds of revision . Make sure to put aside your essay for a little while after each editing stage to return with a fresh perspective.

Teachers and guidance counselors can help you check your language, tone, and content . Ask for their help at least one to two months before the submission deadline, as many other students will also want their help.

Friends and family are a good resource to check for authenticity. It’s best to seek help from family members with a strong writing or English educational background, or from older siblings and cousins who have been through the college admissions process.

If possible, get help from an essay coach or editor ; they’ll have specialized knowledge of college admissions essays and be able to give objective expert feedback.

When revising your college essay , first check for big-picture issues regarding message, flow, tone, style , and clarity. Then, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

Include specific, personal details and use your authentic voice to shed a new perspective on a common human experience.

Through specific stories, you can weave your achievements and qualities into your essay so that it doesn’t seem like you’re bragging from a resume.

When writing about yourself , including difficult experiences or failures can be a great way to show vulnerability and authenticity, but be careful not to overshare, and focus on showing how you matured from the experience.

First, spend time reflecting on your core values and character . You can start with these questions:

• What are three words your friends or family would use to describe you, and why would they choose them?
• Whom do you admire most and why?
• What are you most proud of? Ashamed of?

However, you should do a comprehensive brainstorming session to fully understand your values. Also consider how your values and goals match your prospective university’s program and culture. Then, brainstorm stories that illustrate the fit between the two.

In a college application essay , you can occasionally bend grammatical rules if doing so adds value to the storytelling process and the essay maintains clarity.

However, use standard language rules if your stylistic choices would otherwise distract the reader from your overall narrative or could be easily interpreted as unintentional errors.

Write concisely and use the active voice to maintain a quick pace throughout your essay and make sure it’s the right length . Avoid adding definitions unless they provide necessary explanation.

Use first-person “I” statements to speak from your perspective . Use appropriate word choices that show off your vocabulary but don’t sound like you used a thesaurus. Avoid using idioms or cliché expressions by rewriting them in a creative, original way.

If you’re an international student applying to a US college and you’re comfortable using American idioms or cultural references , you can. But instead of potentially using them incorrectly, don’t be afraid to write in detail about yourself within your own culture.

Provide context for any words, customs, or places that an American admissions officer might be unfamiliar with.

College application essays are less formal than other kinds of academic writing . Use a conversational yet respectful tone , as if speaking with a teacher or mentor. Be vulnerable about your feelings, thoughts, and experiences to connect with the reader.

Aim to write in your authentic voice , with a style that sounds natural and genuine. You can be creative with your word choice, but don’t use elaborate vocabulary to impress admissions officers.

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