On Writing
Topic: On Writing
This one was written awhile back as an article in the Wired Poet Newsletter. I thought it would fit in well with some of the things we've been talking about.

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For some of us, writing is as natural as getting dressed in the morning. It is something we do. It is much like breathing and living. The spontaneous expulsion of words to paper is a necessity. The artist in us must express everything about life. We look at things differently and we express them accordingly. We do so because we can.

We write to create an artistic response to our universe. Life without art is bland. Written art is simply another form of expression. The tools for writing are easily accessible. We need an idea, a desire to express the idea, and the means to output the final product. These days, no one needs paper and pencil since we have computers. Since we all have ideas, it is only a matter of publicizing those ideas.

Some of us just have more success in writing our thoughts than in expressing them verbally. Personal, or face-to-face, communication contains three basic elements: the words themselves, tone of voice, and body language. Coordinating all three of these elements leaves some people at a loss. Even the words themselves can become mired if we suffer from a speech impediment or are self-conscious. We may exhibit too much or too little emotion in our words than intended just because we need to get them out. If we hesitate too long or speak too fast, our meaning may be lost. If we are shy, we might never release the words.

The blank page is an inanimate object and does away with everything but the actual words we wish to convey. We avoid confrontational issues when we write since we only share our thoughts with paper or computer screens. The paper does not talk back or argue. We are in control of our words and have the freedom to erase and modify easily. The spoken word is often hard to take back. We must remember, though, that the absence of other elements means that our words must carry more weight and must get their intent across correctly.

Writing is an outlet. Rather than keeping things bottled up inside, we jot them down. Some of us can purge our minds in our writing. We write it down and then move on. The problem addressed is safely onto paper and does not need to reside in our heads. We safely release the toxins that have built up in our systems and we can go forward. Along the way, our written pollution may find sympathy and understanding in another?s eyes.

Eventually, we learn to maneuver our ideas into more acceptable formats. Our writing evolves. When we share our written work, we enter a learning process. Instant feedback can spur us on and help to make our words better. We receive validation of our voice and acknowledgment of our existence. We are recognized and affirmed, and, are challenged to do more and do it better.

The internet is one such outlet for the written format. The blank page on the internet can take many forms. Posting our words on the world wide web helps us to normalize our insecurities and insanities. By sharing our thoughts, we form bonds with people of similar thoughts. We learn. We learn that we are not alone and people will listen to us. We learn there is so much more to learn.