The writing game

Just the simple presence of words arranged in a particular order can convey such meaning and evoke strong feelings. Last night I was plowing through George R.R. Martin’s third instalment in the Song of Fire and Ice trilogy and it made me want to cry. I put the book down at that point and went to sleep expecting the characters, who were now my imaginary family, to fare better on the morrow. Little did I know they were in for more tragedy the next night but I still couldn’t put the book (well Kindle) down. 

I feel nervous and shy when I think about writing something, I focus too much on what other people will think when they read my writing. Did I spell everything correctly? Is my grammar proper? Did my message come across as suave and intelligent as I intended it?

Because of all this I don’t really write unless it is to achieve a purpose, ie at work, for an article etc. After a while I stopped writing for the pleasure of it, it just became a tool in my arsenal of skills for me to whip out for my cv. 

So I’ve had to change my way of thinking, stop being so self-defeating and as they say at Nike - just do it. My blog (which was set up for me as a leaving gift from my old boss) has sat idle for a few months as I hesitated about writing more. I didn’t know what direction I wanted it to take or what the purpose of it was or even if anyone was reading it. But I’ve decided that it’s just good practice for me to hone my skills and it can take any direction I want it to take and I really don’t care if anyone reads it.. as long as I’ve done it I will feel like I’ve accomplished something.

Clearly I procrastinate too much, but amigurumi is soo cute

I’m also going to try write down my inner monologue almost exactly as it is rather than editing and fine tuning it. I have to constantly fine tune things for work and articles and I think that’s what takes some of the fun out of it. So my writing may be raw and rambling but that’s the way I am.

So even if it’s not about science I’m still going to write about it, because I seem to find science in very interesting places, especially when I’m not looking for it.