My Love Affair with the Blank Page
In my 14-year writing
career, I've written on just about everything there is to write about -
business, art, architecture, fashion, education, entrepreneurship, people,
places, my own thoughts... I haven't written a complete book, but that's next
on my list.
I'm no authority on writing. But I know what it does to me. It's more than money in my bank; it is food for my soul. I'm so hooked on writing, a few days without it and I get withdrawal symptoms.
For some, the blank page is scary. For me, it's a challenge. It's a place to give birth to a new thought and convey it in a unique way. It's like I'm in a relationship with the page for those few hours - it possesses me mind, body, and soul.
I often wonder about writing and why it consumes me so. I also wonder how I can share my enthusiasm for writing with others...particularly you, dear reader.
I'm sure many of you 'have a book in you'. Or at least you want to get into writing but keep putting it off for some reason. Take my word for it: Once you begin a relationship with a blank page, it can last a lifetime. The possibilities and opportunities are limitless.
If you are keen to enrich your life through writing, here are my tips on how to approach it...
Start with a message
The act of writing makes more sense to you and the reader when it has purpose. The purpose is your message. The message could be anything - an insight, a story, a product, some tips on life and living... But whatever the purpose, make sure you are clear about it. When there's clarity in your own mind, you will find clarity in your writing.
Your mind seeks the blank page for a reason. Understanding that is half the work... The rest is merely style.
Always be authentic
This is true for any kind of writing. Whether you're writing for yourself, a client, or reader, honesty with yourself and the reader is paramount. Any inaccuracy, distortion of your true thoughts, or manipulation of the idea...and your reader will figure it out. If you started off saying one thing, and ended up writing something completely different, it's probably because you stopped being authentic along the way.
The minute you stop being true to your thoughts and your message, your writing will become inauthentic and you will compromise the pure relationship you set out to create.
I'm no authority on writing. But I know what it does to me. It's more than money in my bank; it is food for my soul. I'm so hooked on writing, a few days without it and I get withdrawal symptoms.
For some, the blank page is scary. For me, it's a challenge. It's a place to give birth to a new thought and convey it in a unique way. It's like I'm in a relationship with the page for those few hours - it possesses me mind, body, and soul.
I often wonder about writing and why it consumes me so. I also wonder how I can share my enthusiasm for writing with others...particularly you, dear reader.
I'm sure many of you 'have a book in you'. Or at least you want to get into writing but keep putting it off for some reason. Take my word for it: Once you begin a relationship with a blank page, it can last a lifetime. The possibilities and opportunities are limitless.
If you are keen to enrich your life through writing, here are my tips on how to approach it...
Start with a message
The act of writing makes more sense to you and the reader when it has purpose. The purpose is your message. The message could be anything - an insight, a story, a product, some tips on life and living... But whatever the purpose, make sure you are clear about it. When there's clarity in your own mind, you will find clarity in your writing.
Your mind seeks the blank page for a reason. Understanding that is half the work... The rest is merely style.
Always be authentic
This is true for any kind of writing. Whether you're writing for yourself, a client, or reader, honesty with yourself and the reader is paramount. Any inaccuracy, distortion of your true thoughts, or manipulation of the idea...and your reader will figure it out. If you started off saying one thing, and ended up writing something completely different, it's probably because you stopped being authentic along the way.
The minute you stop being true to your thoughts and your message, your writing will become inauthentic and you will compromise the pure relationship you set out to create.
Get
the idea down
You don't need to be a master of the language before you set out to be creative with it. The truth is you can never know a language completely. It's always evolving and its scope is immense. To start writing, all you need is an idea. Then the tools of the language will unfold. This does not mean that you can get away with incorrect grammar or spelling. What I mean is that you must first just get the message down... Let it flow naturally. Then you can add stylistic elements and enhance it for a better reader experience.
In writing too, form follows function. 'Form' in language is merely the appearance. If your content does not connect with the reader, nothing else will come to your rescue.
Give it character
Once you have the message and content sorted, the next step is form. All writing evokes a certain character. We call this 'style': word choices, the placement of ideas, sentence structure... And what you write about will naturally develop its own character. Not only because of the unique way you approach and think about the topic, but because the subject matter itself will present various possibilities.
Don't predetermine any endings or breaks in your writing. Let them emerge naturally. Let the process of writing assume a natural growth and evolution.
Add some style
This is what separates the best from the rest. It's what makes you want to read every word certain authors write. Your style is what sets your writing apart. The way you structure a piece, the value you offer the reader, the ultimate effect it has on them - these are the true tests of good writing. Style takes years to develop. It comes after much trial and error. More than anything, it is a labour of love.
Like any relationship, you have to be dedicated and committed to writing. And the love for it has to be unconditional. You will resist the blank page, quarrel over the words, and constantly find new flaws and mistakes. But as a writer, if have faith in the medium, there are no limits to the meaning it can bring to your life.
You don't need to be a master of the language before you set out to be creative with it. The truth is you can never know a language completely. It's always evolving and its scope is immense. To start writing, all you need is an idea. Then the tools of the language will unfold. This does not mean that you can get away with incorrect grammar or spelling. What I mean is that you must first just get the message down... Let it flow naturally. Then you can add stylistic elements and enhance it for a better reader experience.
In writing too, form follows function. 'Form' in language is merely the appearance. If your content does not connect with the reader, nothing else will come to your rescue.
Give it character
Once you have the message and content sorted, the next step is form. All writing evokes a certain character. We call this 'style': word choices, the placement of ideas, sentence structure... And what you write about will naturally develop its own character. Not only because of the unique way you approach and think about the topic, but because the subject matter itself will present various possibilities.
Don't predetermine any endings or breaks in your writing. Let them emerge naturally. Let the process of writing assume a natural growth and evolution.
Add some style
This is what separates the best from the rest. It's what makes you want to read every word certain authors write. Your style is what sets your writing apart. The way you structure a piece, the value you offer the reader, the ultimate effect it has on them - these are the true tests of good writing. Style takes years to develop. It comes after much trial and error. More than anything, it is a labour of love.
Like any relationship, you have to be dedicated and committed to writing. And the love for it has to be unconditional. You will resist the blank page, quarrel over the words, and constantly find new flaws and mistakes. But as a writer, if have faith in the medium, there are no limits to the meaning it can bring to your life.
By Ritika Bajaj
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