This blog post written by a columnist at The Charlotte Observer talks about what we’ve been saying for many years. Sometimes, writing in simple language is a discipline in itself.
I couldn’t agree more.
Posted by Dana Minter
Archive | May, 2010
Writing Simply is Difficult
20 MayWriting – it ain’t easy.
10 May
I’m sure there are people who sing as they sit down to face the blank computer screen, itching to get words out, bouncing on their typing chair, struggling to contain their enthusiasm. They are probably the same type of folk who leap out of bed in the morning, or sing “Oh what a beautiful morning” in the shower.
Don’t know about you, but this type of behaviour just isn’t natural in my book. They’ve either been reading too many of those self-help books and are taking them way too seriously, or they’re close to running on empty, just on the brink of a serious crash and burn. Trust me, something isn’t right.
I say this because I know that after writing words every day for 25 years, it doesn’t just happen. A blank page is still a blank page, that just stares back at you, unhelpfully. No, words always seem to appear in fits and starts, sentences start to form slowly and after a while a whole paragraph seems to hang together. Then, after a while, the brain gets into the swing of things and knows where it’s going. Eventually, words appear faster and the end is visible.
I don’t know how the thoughts are formed, or where the thread comes from. They just arrive in front of me and I watch as the process continues. When it’s over, the whole business can actually feel quite enjoyable, despite the painful, always difficult start. What a funny way to make a living.
Posted by Ian Minter
