The Misconception

Many individuals assume that writing is a straightforward task. I, too, fell into this simplistic view, seeing it as a binary skill—either you are a good writer or you are not. However, I've come to realize that writing is much more complex.

Labeling someone as a "good writer" is akin to saying someone is a "good person." While it's possible to excel in certain facets of being human, it's far more common for someone to have strengths in specific areas.

Writing varies significantly across different contexts. Personally, I might consider myself competent in some writing forms, while feeling inadequate in others—a sentiment I suspect is shared by many of my favorite authors.

Here are various contexts where writing plays a crucial role:

• Texts
• Blogs
• Novels
• Emails
• Memoirs
• Newspapers
• Short stories
• Advertisements
• Handwritten letters
• Academic research papers
• Social media posts
• Biographies
• Instruction manuals
• Nonfiction books
• Academic essays
• Legal contracts
• Song lyrics
• Magazines
• TV shows
• Speeches
• Diaries
• Movies
• Poems

This list may not be exhaustive, but it illustrates the numerous ways writing manifests in our lives. Proficiency in one area does not automatically translate to skill in another.

A Path to Improvement

Across these diverse writing forms, there exists a straightforward method for enhancement: understanding your audience and the specific type of writing you are engaging in can significantly inform how you convey your ideas.

Recall instances where the tone or formality felt misplaced. Picture a close friend sending you an overly formal text that resembles legal jargon, or an email from a senior executive that feels more casual than appropriate. Such mismatches are glaring and memorable.

Reflecting on my extensive writing experiences has illuminated this truth for me. While many may have pondered this concept more thoroughly, it was a revelation I had not fully grasped until now.

I hope these insights aid you in refining your writing across various contexts.

The first video titled "BUSTING 200 MYTHS IN 50 HOURS!!" explores various misconceptions and challenges common beliefs, providing a thought-provoking perspective on everyday assumptions.

The second video, "Cyclical thinking, Discontinuity and Basic Human Stories" featuring Jon White, Sturla Ellingvåg, and Jan-Ove Tuv, delves into how storytelling shapes our understanding of human experiences.

Read or Die — Publication Rules

Updated January 2024 Guidelines

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