Writing – A Strange Discipline
As I write these words, it’s 4:55AM.
People often ask me about my writing. “When do you write?” “How do you come up with the ideas for a different post everyday?” “Why in the world do you write?”
Writing is a strange discipline.
Believe me when I say that I have plenty of other things to do. My family, my job, my own time for quiet reflection and personal fitness – these are all things that keep me very busy. Yet somehow I find time to write. I think it has to do with priorities. Is writing enough of a priority for me that I would get up extra early to “participate” in this activity? Or is writing enough of a priority for me that I would put other things aside or modify my schedule to make sure I had daily time to write? If you’ve been following along since late June or early July 2011, you know that the answer is yes. Since then, I have posted nearly every weekday and many weekend days. Writing is a strange discipline.
When people ask me about my content, I’d be lying if I didn’t tell them that writer’s block occasionally sneaks in. But honestly, life provides so much to write about. It’s often a matter of simply opening up my eyes, my ears, and my mind to the world that is happening around me. We live in such a dynamic world, writing is an opportunity to slow down even briefly and to take a snap shot in time of what’s going on in my head. The other answer I tell people is that it’s important to be plugged in. Yes, I read a lot of blogs, and I listen to a lot of podcasts. But I would say that reading books and reading God’s Word are two essential tools for a Christian blogger. It’s important to keep my mind engaged and well fed. This is key to writing everyday. Writing is a strange discipline.
I write for many reasons. First and foremost, I hope my writing will bring glory to God. Everything after that is gravy. I write to wrestle out loud with the thoughts and ideas that come and go in my head. I write to encourage others (at least I hope this is true). I write to tap into my creative side (yes, even engineers can have small amounts of creativity). I write to keep of record of my “stretch marks”. If I’m honest, I write in hopes of extending my personal platform – of gaining some notoriety – of making my own personal dent in this world. I write, because I’ve discovered that I am a writer. Yes, writing is a strange discipline.
Why do you write? When do you write? What do you write about?