October 19, 2008
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I write
I write for a variety of reasons.
I write because it feels good. It’s more than just putting nouns,
adjectives, verbs and adverbs together.
I write about things that amuse me so I can relive that
experience again. I usually end up with
a silly grin on my face.
I write about things that scare me so I can put it proper
perspective. It doesn’t seem so scary
when your fears are transformed into words.
I write about things that bewilder and confuse me. Sometimes I can find the answer as I
write.
I write about things that make me smile. A kiss or a hug from a loved one, the
laughter from a child, good food, those “aha” moments, flowers, the sun, art,
books, my bf, my other friends and my family.
Sometimes I write about things that make me sad. Writing can be cathartic but it doesn’t
happen overnight. Often the sun will
rise and set many times before things sort themselves out.
There are also times when I want to write but nothing comes
out. I wish it was as easy
procrastinating or watching TV. But it
isn’t. It requires a certain amount of
focus and discipline. It’s something I
still have to learn.
I want to know what a writer’s soul is. How is it that some people can write so
easily? Their words grab your
imagination so tightly it’s impossible to be distracted. Imagery and feelings are conjured up as the
author starts a dialogue with your mind.
Their words fly through the barriers we put up and reach deep into our soul. This is what I want to do.
Comments (26)
I got to first comment
Well i write about what i feel and my opinion about things.
I write about food, food, and food XD
A good piece of writing has resonance in the reader.
interesting topic.
i would like to write something that captivates people's imaginations, too, just like how the novel twilight captivated mine.
and, matt, some of your entries have done that for me. some of your entries put me in another world and the feeling stays with me for a bit. forgot which ones they were though
but it would most likely be an entry about your dad.
i am going to do a writing course. and i want to read about interviews that stephenie meyer (author of twilight) had, because i know she's probably answered the question of how she got so good. i'm sure there'd be ideas there. maybe you can look up those authors that captivate you, and see if they've already dispensed any writing tips.
i still have to learn the basic stuff like: pronouns, complete sentences, proper punctuation, etc. luckily i have a program that would help me with it. and, of course, i am reading more books, so that i can see how others write and express themselves.
i find great joy in reading, and writing sometimes feels really good, too.
what do you think is one of your best entries on your xanga? i think mine would be the chinese new year one i wrote (and i wrote it immediately and only edited it a tiny bit).
wow.
my above comment is LONG
hahah
Matt, your writing has always resounded in my mind over and over again. If I read it i the morning it stays with me throughout the day. Your writing is you! My writing is usually a reflection on some fault or defect or something I found in myself that needs some work.
don't forget about propositions and conjunctions and all the other word types! =D
i enjoy reading your writing; you are already quite talented at painting an image in the mind's eye. i wish i could be inspired (or had time) to write more myself, but i've never been very good at creative writing; my skills seem to lie more in the analytical/critical writing areas.
aren't you just simply trying to get to the line: I am, therefore I write
I love this post Matt. Very thought provoking and yet so simple in its artistic imaging. You are truly wonderful. I kept smiling all through the entire post. Brava.
I wish I had more spare time to write....*have a good week. Mattie!*
You stole my words this time.
I feel the same way you feel. I haven't written anything good in a good year or so, I still have that insecurity when I write. I end up writing a page or so, then end up ripping it out of my notebook and toss it away.
I too would like to capture the audience's mind and bring them into my imagination and vision, but it's something very hard to do. You and I are on the same road to discovering ourselves more as writers.
**BTW, you deleted your comment. Maybe because you found out the girl in the picture, but rather the boy behind the camera. =) Thanks for the tips too
@ALTRUISTICDREAMER - I stole your words .. hee hee.
I think I was going back and forth on my browser so it might have removed my comment.
@macphoto - thanks.
@curry69curry - thanks Gary, you have a good week too.
@ZSA_MD - awww... thank you.
@AppsScraps - hahaha - you're right. I remember you told us once to be concise and edit ruthlessly.
@kunhuo42 - thanks Aaron. It's tough finding time to write. I actually wrote the bulk of that a few weeks ago and finally posted it last night.
@Fatcat723 - I never knew my entries resonated that much.
@choyshinglin - very true.
@zozoyork - well, you write about fashion too. hahaha
@vsan79 - hope things are going well with you. Keep on writing.
@twistedoff - gosh, your comment was probably longer than my post! hahaha.... I think my "Dear mom" letter was probably one of my most personal entry I wrote. I am also checking out a night course for writing too! But it's so intimidating. I'm worried that when it comes time for me to read my story, I'll be going "I played with my red toy car." or "My dog barks." *buries head in shame*
@ElusiveWords - dear mom! i'll check that one out really soon then
yikes! i didn't realise that in writing class you had to read your story out. yes, that is very intimidating. i guess the embarassment can shame you into trying harder. but, i think you like the intimidation?
isn't it exciting that way? 
well, please let us all know how your writing course went. i am really excited by the thought of going, too! i just need to find a class that looks good and book it in for dates after my assessments
can't wait.
@twistedoff - I haven't enrolled in the course, I want to find a way to fit this into my schedule.
Oh the other entry has been archived, it was in my old blog.
@ElusiveWords - hmm yeah scheduling seems harder for you because you have a full-time job. i'm just working part-time, and uni is full-time. i know that i have gaps in my committments to these two things, so i'm lucky in that sense.
in anycase, there are online courses available, but i don't think it's the same.
sorry, i'm really really verbose at the moment.
i looked at stephenie meyer's website for writing tips and she gives good advice! it makes me want to write more and try harder.
and no wonder i couldn't find it. it's ok, i won't ask you to dig it out
@ElusiveWords - when you replied back, i realized i had typed "propositions" instead of "prepositions"... hahaha oops! freudian slip maybe
Your feelings about writing are very similar to mine. I too find it extraordinary that some people can put words together so easily and their thoughts come out almost like a song on paper. Writing does take a lot of skill and requires much focus and concentration. I myself sometimes find it hard to achieve that special moment. Very good post.
I so enjoy coming by and reading your posts. You do write well, and I always look forward to the next.
Do you have a hand written journal as well? I'm just curious.
Be well, *~matthew~*
@kunhuo42 - I must have mentally edited that and read prepositions. I was actually humming "conjunction junction, what's your function?" after I read your comment.
@zionlover - thank you for the comment; "song on a paper" I like that imagery!
@bleuzeus - uhm, no handwritten journal - this is it. I don't know how some people find time to update their facebook, another blog etc...
I am taking a writing class at the moment and have found two books extremely useful:
The Situation and the Story
Very short (~120 pages); wonderful commentary, with examples, on what makes a good personal narrative
Reading this really made me appreciate the difference between "the situation" (to my understanding, this means the details, the context, what happens, etc.) and the story--the resonant, central, transcendent aspect of what you are writing. I think it's a great and easily readable book for anyone who likes personal writing.
The Art of the Personal Essay
An anthology of very good essays; if you like writing, you probably like reading?
@Senlin - thank you! I'll be sure to check them out.
I write so that I remember my trips, and of course food, and funny moments, hehe. I framed in my mind the theme and just power type whereever my brain led me. Sometime I found it easier when I added the pictures first and then typed around them. I wish I have time to make my blogs flow better and espcially grammar check. Well, there is only 24 hours a day, and sometimes feel like I have spent 25 hours a day on the road, lol. Matt, you write so well, maybe you can help me write some,
@stevew918 - trust me, I stare at the blank page all the time waiting for something to come out. It' s like sitting in the toilet and nothing is coming out. Some entries are written well in advanced and edited over time. I don't know what you do but being a road warrior isn't easy.
I don't know about me writing well - but sure, send some entries my way and I'll write them for you. It'll be fun. There's a very steep price - a room at that fancy hotel in Dubai!
so do i, my friend, so do i......
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