Do You Write?
Most of us associate writing with school essays. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of us dreaded handing our pieces to our schoolteachers. My writings, especially the ones I wrote in Hindi, always came back looking like the teacher had dipped them in blood. I often felt as though he had soaked them in my blood.
Apart from this lurking fear that was our constant companion, our teachers encouraged us to write within certain boundaries. They pushed us to obey the rules of good writing, often at the expense of free expression and creativity.
College & Business Writing
Many of us went from school to college and then onto a business career. Once again, we have been hemmed in by unspoken laws, rules, and regulations. Businesses encourage us to write turgid prose in the passive voice. Heaven forbids you to dare to simplify your writing and make it simple to understand. I always thought that senior corporate bosses did not want to be understood. Their turgid prose serves two functions. One, it makes them feel important, distant, and intellectual. Second, vague language enables them to interpret their reports and instructions in the manner they want. In this way, they allow themselves considerable flexibility without passing on the same privilege to their subordinates.
After My Corporate Career
Writing is a craft, and it takes considerable practice to perfect your skill. As I progressed in my fledgling career as a photographer, I discovered that the sweet spot lies in the nexus between photography and writing. After my corporate career, I found I had to learn to write succinctly, clearly, and in an engaging manner.
I write every day, and this helps. I have discovered one technique called “Stream of Consciousness” writing. I don’t want to write an extended essay on this technique, but feel free to watch the video in the embedded link.
“Stream of Consciousness” can be therapeutic because you allow yourself to write anything. The best way to do this is to write longhand and to let your thoughts go wild. Go wild. Do not allow grammar rules to bind you or worry about what people may think. I prefer fountain pens and have a small collection of pens and inks.
This exercise unleashes your creativity, and you will probably discover new topics while you write. These new ideas can become the basis for further exploration and the foundation for future essays.
It is best to sit in a quiet place and to put your phone away when writing. Concentrate, and let your thoughts flow. Use good paper! I have discovered that good paper aids thinking and writing. Try it!
