Purposing Your Writing

Purposing your writing is as important as composing it. It's common for writers to focus solely on subject matter without considering the purpose of writing about it. For any writing project, it's a legitimate question to ask yourself: "Why am I writing this?" In other words, is there a meaningful purpose for writing about your subject matter? Can you affect meaningful change in readers? We often write without thinking about purpose or whether it makes any sense at all to be writing the story or essay or article we're writing. We just proceed on the basis of being inspired to do so. Knowing the purpose of your writing makes you a better writer because every word choice, every nuance of rhythm and style will be specifically engaged to accomplish that purpose. Without a clear sense of purpose, you are just freestyling, hoping that what you write turns out to be something useful. Wouldn't it be better to go into a writing project with a clear purpose already in mind? Purpose helps you develop your writing and gives you the momentum necessary to finish a project. Because you have a central focus that drives what you write, you're more likely to stick with it until it's finished. Subject matter, inspiration, theme and story line - all are important to effective writing. But purpose is the glue that holds them all together. Find your purpose as a writer and you will have discovered your power.

Planning Your Writing

My writing students don't like to map their ideas out first before beginning a writing project. They just want to jump in and begin writing. The planning and pre-writing activities are drudgery to them. But doing the necessary prep work before writing can make the difference between mediocre writing and excellent writing. Planning your writing makes you more focused and better prepares you to skillfully execute your project. First, being able to describe your idea in a single sentence tells you that your idea is honed. If it takes you several sentences to describe your novel, short story, essay or poem, you still need to do some work on refining your idea. There are several questions you can ask to help you get focused. First, ask yourself what is the point of your research. What is the main idea it leads to? Second, ask yourself what you want the story, essay or poem to do. Do you want it to enlighten, entertain, persuade? Third, ask yourself if you can tell readers anything new about your subject. Is there a unique slant you can offer? Fourth, ask yourself if you have a solution for the problem or issue you've raised. Or are you just creating awareness? Knowing precisely what you want to write and why will help you create writing that is more focused, relevant and resonant with readers. Planning before you write is like making a sketch before painting to make sure your idea fits the canvas. Planning won't kill your creativity. It will enhance it. Take the time to plan and you'll be pleased with the results.

Throwing Yourself Away

Maxwell Perkins said that we have to throw ourselves away when we write. He meant that true creativity emerges not from sticking steadfast to who we are, but rather from diving recklessly, headfirst into what we're not. We have to strip ourselves of all our preconceived notions and frameworks of reference in order to discover. By throwing ourselves away in this manner, our minds are free to explore and draw new connections. We are able to see the world through new lenses and develop new neural pathways. This is the essence of creativity and it's essential in creative writing. The most basic way to tap into this creative center in our brains is to freewrite. This can be done through timed writings in which our hand moves non-stop across the page. It can be done by pairing odd things together and asking our brain to draw a bridge that connects them. It can be done by writing counterintuitively, meaning the opposite of what makes sense. It can be done by writing with the senses only, shutting off any pragmatic analysis. Throwing ourselves away when we write is not easy. In fact, it may be one of the hardest things we ever do as writers; but if done correctly and consistently, it can also be one of the most creatively rewarding things we do. The next time you sit down to write, try throwing yourself away. You may be amazed at what emerges!

Writing True

Critical thinking powers are especially important for nonfiction writers, although they can be essential in fiction writing too. Writers need to have clear and balanced thinking in order to write well. This means that they have to question their own thinking processes, be open to opposing views, develop a keen sense of empathy, and seek the truth in everything they write. One of the most significant ways to develop critical thinking skills is to know the difference between facts and opinions. Often the lines get blurred because we tend to accept as fact information that is paraded as fact when it is often opinion. We also get confused because we have a tendency to accept as fact that which is consistent with our reality and that which a majority of those around us accept as fact. So we need to be hyper-aware when writing about controversial and complex subjects that we're not confusing facts with opinions. Other things we need to be aware of include relying on information that is neither thorough nor accurate, engaging in black-and-white thinking, reaching conclusions that are either hastily or falsely drawn, and reaching conclusions that are either too generalized or too simplified. There is much to consider before ever setting pen to paper and the first order of business is to get our thinking in shape. If we think clearly, we will write clearly. If we're thorough, accurate and truthful, our writing will be also. The truth is often buried beneath layers of deceit or ignorance, but the truth can be discovered with careful effort if we use the right tools and have the right intent. After all, as writers, we are first and foremost purveyors of truth.

Just Write

Our brains are split in two, but that doesn't mean the hemispheres have to be at odds with each other. Where writing is concerned, the left brain is the one that keeps us on track with the basics of structure, format, grammar, punctuation, etc. It's a very necessary component of the writing process; and without it, we're just another mediocre word hack who hasn't yet mastered the basics. So we need this left brain to do its job, to be the critic, to edit our awful early drafts. But it needs to get out of the way when it's time to compose. The left brain is concerned only with the end product, and if we let it get in the way too soon, we may never successfully finish those early drafts. The composing should be left to the right brain. This is our creative brain and its concern is with the process, not the end product; so we need to let this creative hemisphere have free reign while we're still creating our work. It needs to run amok and have free play until that first draft is finished. There is plenty of time later to let the left brain do its editing work. Write first, edit later. This is the cornerstone of advice for writers, and our writing lives will be infinitely easier if we take steps to not get in our own way. Sometimes we need to step aside and let the words flow. Without purpose, without prejudice, without planning, sometimes we need to allow ourselves to just write.

Writing and Thinking

Christopher Morley once advised that "the problem is to teach ourselves to think, and the writing will take care of itself." In other words, writing is a product of clear thinking. That sounds right and it's a logical cause and effect line of thought. How can we write if we can't think? Flannery O'Connor had an answer to that. She said, "I write to discover what I know." For her, the writing came before the thinking and the cause and effect of Morley's rationale was reversed. In other words, thinking is a product of writing. Hmmm. What this apparent dichotomy means to writers is that thinking and writing are inextricably intertwined. Each feeds the other and each enhances the other. So when we are writing, we need to pay attention to what's going on in our brains. Are we just writing to record what we already know or are we writing to discover what we have yet to learn? Perhaps we are doing both. It is very possible that by first plumbing the depths of what you know well, you will stumble upon what you had never considered before. And writing is the tool that gets you there. If we use writing as the powerful tool that it is and use it to not only share existing knowledge, but also to explore as yet undiscovered knowledge, we can find new planes and vistas together with our readers and experience the thrill of growing through good writing. May 2012 be a year of this kind of growth for you.

Writing for Others

It has been wisely said that the problem we have with self-esteem is not that we think less of ourselves, but that we should think of ourselves less. All of us could stand to be more selfless, writers included. What selflessness means for writers is staying in tune with the purest reasons for writing. Most of us began to write out of a craving for self-expression, but we grew to want an expression that also meant something to others. We wanted our writing to be meaningful and helpful to readers. That's the purest motive for writing. Over time, it can become clouded with ambitions for money and fame and competitiveness; but if we can stay connected to that urge to be of service to others through our writing, we can truly achieve greatness. How can that be, you may ask, if we don't also achieve fame and fortune? It's because greatness is measured most profoundly in small things, like a poem that cheered up a grieving friend, or an article that helped a reader turn his life around, or a simple note that made someone feel appreciated. These are the kinds of greatness that writing brings to our lives. I think if we write always to be of service to our fellow humans, above all other motives, whether we are trying to write the great American novel or a simple essay, we will lead fulfilling and successful lives, both as people and as writers. Our goal should always be to say something that needs to be said and to say it in such a way that has the real power to change lives. That's the most compelling reason to write and that's the reason that should drive us. How can you be of service to others through your writing? Post your thoughts here.