How To Write Better by Q. Reyes – Artistic Warfare #20

May 3, 2009 Q. Reyes 0 Comments

Writing is an ever-evolving process of communication that has been changing since its inception into the human mainstream. Vocabulary has expanded greatly since the Shakespeare days, but that should only mean that we can express ourselves a lot more clearly now.

Whether you write poetry or you write end of the year financial reports, you are a writer. We all have to write our names in all types of forms and we have to scribble our signature in receipts when we use credit at a store.

Writing really is about capturing a moment. That signature on the receipt its a personal stamp you use to prove to the bank that you’ve made that purchase at that particular time. There’s other purposeful writing, as we already know, television, films, comic books, newspapers and the list goes on and on. All these institutions are dependent on the written word.

Writing to me is like author Anaïs Nin said, “The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.” To me that sums it up. No one can, or should, duplicate your signature. That’s your personal stamp. Your writing is as personal as a toothbrush, and you must look at it in that way in order to keep it pure.

Sometimes, however, it’s hard to really say what’s in our minds. Our fear keeps us running away from the judgment of others. It’s the same fear that haunts people when it comes to public speaking. This article is about how do we beat that fear. How do we overcome something so embedded in our soul? How do we let go of the chains of mediocrity?

The first step is to not think that it’s all about you. That somehow everyone knows how special you are. The truth? No one cares about what you write. Once you understand that you’re just a grain of sand in a world full of beaches, then you are able to write without worrying about what the next grain of sand thinks.

Don’t be a perfectionist is another good way to write better. Trying to be perfect is the reason that most people don’t finish things. Also trying to be too artistic, or too intelligent. Just the term “trying to be” should be a big red flag. We should just be. If you’re an anti-social asshole, then be that. People will appreciate that a lot more than trying to be nice.

Another step is to understand why do you write what you write? Why do you do it? If you’re looking for praise, that’s the wrong reason. If you think people will think you’re special, that’s the wrong reason. If you do it because you think you’re better than other grains of sands, then you’re wrong. You should do it to challenge yourself. To express exactly what it is that you are feeling. What emotions are you experiencing? What’s your day like? What’s your life like?

You can translate your writing in many languages and use many vehicles to get your words across the universe. You can write your emotions through a screenplay, a book, a blog or even a text message. The fact of the matter is that the vehicle does not matter. What matters is the context.

Take what I’m writing right now for example. I have no clue or even a remote idea of who may possibly read this one day. I don’t care. One day is not right now. That leads me to the next step to writing better, which is focusing on the NOW.

Don’t write what’s hot right now. Write what you know right now. Don’t think because someone wrote something and got something good out of it, that you can do the same thing. It won’t work that way. Focus on what’s inside of you right now. If you feel good, write that. If you feel depress, write that. Worry about yourself, and not what other people think.

Another step to writing better is to write about what you know. Don’t write a story about a police detective’s life, when you’ve never even met a police detective. Don’t write about a mother’s struggle, when you’re a man with no kids. Write what you know. Write about your life and your own personal situations. You are your life’s expert. That’s the only expertise you have. Just your own.

Another step to writing better is to do it constantly. If you wait to get in the mood to write, you’ll write nothing but garbage. The best words have been written under stress. Nothing better than hardship to make the best come out in people. That song you love? That song was written from a real place in time.

Keep in mind also that writer’s block it’s a myth. Procrastination and lazy ass people it’s a fact. When you use writer’s block as an excuse, it’s saying, “you don’t care enough about something to put the time and effort it takes to get it done.” Don’t confuse writer’s block with lack of inspiration. Lack of inspiration it’s real. You get that inspiration back by jumping in the cold pool of writing with all your clothes on. Just write, and inspiration will come.

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Q. is a dude with limited opportunities, but with giant motivation. Q. enjoys long walks in the beach, horseback riding, and witnessing human race’s stupidity. Q. can be usually found at a Starbucks near you trying to hustle a free refill.