Joanna is asking about Power.
I’ve written about using your own knowledge to empower your writing, and I’ve written about how a foundation of knowledge can give your writing the power to explore the world beyond those boundaries.
But, here’s the thing–none of that matters if you don’t drive your writing. If you don’t feel a certain amount of passion about your writing, it’s going to fizzle alongside the road, drained and empty.
I’m not saying that you have to love and feel deeply moved about every word that you write. You can’t write a description on how to use a software program with the same passion that you have a character seduce a woman in your novel. (Or, if you do, that’s a software program I so want to learn.) But that doesn’t mean those instructions shouldn’t be written as well as you possibly can write them.
Ultimately–the power that drives the writing comes from within you. You can do a workmanlike job that’s perfectly adequate, but for great writing (yes, even a great user’s manual) you need to write to the best of your ability, with verve, with enthusiasm.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at the Owner’s Manual that came with your computer, DVD player, or cell phone–anything, really–and take a look at the text describing the features. If you’re lucky enough to have text rather than pictograms. Now check out a really good, how-to website. Like this one on customizing your own graphics. Or this great tutorial on darning socks (no, really). They could be boring as anything, just giving the bare basics of what you need to know, but instead, they’re interesting. You can tell they were written with joy in their authors’ hearts.
The power for fantastic writing is right there, in you, at this very moment. I don’t want to sound too New Age kind of mystical here, or anything, but it’s true. If you feel motivated to write, if you feel passionate about your writing (even if it’s a series of how-tos), and if you feel the drive … that’s all you really need.
Well, okay, there is that whole vocabulary, grammar, being able to string sentences together thing, but that’s just technique. What we’re talking about here is the whole reason for mastering it. Because it’s a rush. Because it’s fun. Because–done right–there’s nothing quite like it. You just have to get behind the driver’s wheel and go.
Why don’t you take it out for a spin and see what it can do?
The same holds true for art work.
@Patty–Really, anything, I think. Who wants to spend their time being a drone, when they can be doing something they’re passionate about?
Being passionate about whatever you’re writing about is so critical to producing better work! Not only that, the writing itself goes much faster because you lose yourself in it, and there’s less chance you’ll procrastinate the project!
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..Improve Your Writing: Read a Lot
–Deb, I popped over here at the end of a very long couple of days and I’m feeling tired and just a little blog weary… and then I read this and I can feel my fingers twitching and bursting to write again! What a powerful motivating post. Thanks for sharing it, and for giving us an insight into the power and passion that fuels your own writing.
Joanna
Joanna Young’s last blog post..Powerful Writing In 30 Words Or Less: Part 1
@Melissa–There’s certainly nothing like being able to keep your own interest in what you’re doing. With the internet at everybody’s fingertips these days, it’s easier than ever to procrastinate–so a little passion to keep you involved in a project is definitely a plus.
@Joanna–I’m so glad I could help! I think it’s easy to forget, especially when you’re working so hard to make your writing good and successful (by whatever measure) to remember what made you want to write in the first place. It LOOKS easy, but it’s not! But as a way for us to express ourselves and spread some enthusiasm–either for the writing or for what we’re writing about–well, you have to remind yourself. If you can!
Thanks for the mention. I think you hit the nail on the head. It’s all about finding your voice and learning to express it with passion.
BTW, I appreciate you and your blog:)
@Tom–Passion always helps. Or at least, a little enthusiasm (grin)
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