The Greatest Writer
I have just spent the last couple of days soaking up the wisdom of a wordsmith, someone that has dedicated their life to expounding on theories and experiences, a truly unique experience and one that I feel so blessed to be part of.
Their office, come studio filled with memorabilia, wouldn't go as far to say that dusty typewriter in the corner, some folks can just project that story by their presence, that feeling of history, lives lived and expressed.
What really struck me and something that will leave a lasting indentation on my consciousness, as classical music chimed away on a spring afternoon, the history of words, one that fascinated me above everything was this little card. Plastered on the walls, on the screen and the little fridge filled with those mid-afternoon delights, that one savors after a well-crafted set of words.
The greatest writer has the greatest doubt.
Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize.
Well!
Why do you write? answer because I love it, I love to let my words speak and find their home.
Talk about that blown away moment.
For me, words create a culture and culture can change the world as we know it.
We are here, word press is about creating the written word and projecting our innermost thoughts and sharing it with the world creating our message and sharing it.
Just wandering around the corridors here at WA, they seem deserted, not a whistle of the bird nor the wind rustling through the leaves on the trees.
My inbox used to be bristling with a vibrancy loved coming here to read and share your experiences both good and bad we are a community after all, for some reason there is a quietness.
So don't be afraid to share and let us know how you are going get those little fingers banging on your keyboards.
Would love to hear how your Wealthy Affiliate journey is going.
Writing is a struggle for me every day, to be honest.
I know one thing and that is every post, article or book just brings more experience and one thing that you can not beat is the experience.
Just some words to ponder.
Alex.
Recent Comments
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Apologies folks have had issues getting online today hope that your weekends are going well and you are managing some R&R in amongst creating some great content.
Ah........ Rest and relaxation..........., was it the one you were thinking of, kind of funny saying that because have the sense that many of us tend to put that one on the back burner.
Hi Alex! There are a lot of times I'm having trouble keeping my thoughts flowing when I'm writing. Sometimes everything flows so smoothly. I recently purchased a domain name. But I'm still trying to figure out how to go about it.
Hi, Micheal, I think that we all go through those periods when things don't flow as we would like them to, kind of makes you really appreciate those times when we find ourselves in that zone where everything just flows.
How are you going with the training, it can sound like the proverbial broken record but following through can really help us to get to where we are going even going back and revising if we don't get things can help heaps. Don't be afraid to reach out if you are struggling. All the best.
Another great post of your's Alex. Thank you.
I've always enjoyed words and having been an administrator in the field of education, followed by becoming a proofreader with emphasis on educational documents, I find words to be enjoyable.
However, in the manner that fashions of all descriptions have changed over the years, so have words changed.
One aspect I used to find annoying was dropping the word 'on' in sentences relating to time. In days gone by it would be said that a certain event will take place on Monday next. Now, it is said - an event will take place Monday! Urghh!!
Have we become so lazy that we can't we speak a entire and correctly formulated sentence!
With regard to content on our websites the less descriptive words we use, the better. I didn't say that. I read it.
Anyway, that's just my two cents worth. But, it gets to me how the use of beautiful and descriptive words are no longer acceptable to the extent they once were.
I am glad that I am not the only one Carol and if the truth is known there are many that fall into this camp. The thing that has amazed me is that if we stick at it we can actually improve, speaking personally I struggle but yet really enjoy writing. There is hope for us all, best wishes with your writing we just have to keep doing it and we will all get there.
Hi Alex
I loved your post - just what I needed. I have been worried about posting as not original enough, not informative enough, not relevant, etc etc. I have been my own worst judge and enemy, with the result that posts are few and far between. Your post has given me "permission" to fire away and just get it out there - let others decide if it is of any help or use to them - even if neither, just connecting is really enough. I love reading other's posts -sometimes they blow me away (as yours has done just now), sometimes not, but it all contributes to the feeling of belonging to a vibrant, caring community, so, yes, it is right and good to contribute to that and I will now (going forward) make a bigger effort, even if just once a week. What if you had not posted the above - I (and WA) would have been the poorer for it - thank you Alex, for the wake up call and brilliant post - I have printed if off and will keep it in front of me as a reminder that it's OK to post any time, large or small posts - don't be your own judge whether it is good enough. Site content is here to help, too - great feature.
Hi, Katherina, probably for a lot of folks coming to WA and looking at developing a word press site is probably the first serious writing they have done since leaving high school or college.
Many of us are more than rusty, part of the benefit of being here in WA is that wonderful opportunity to explore and try things out in a supportive and nurturing environment.
I have to agree with you 100% site content is a very welcomed addition the resources here, it just adds to the value that we obtain from our membership. it helps to make the whole process of content production so streamlined.
I hope that you get out and start producing that content, some of it is received well and some not but we are not going to improve if we write nothing. All the best to you as you surge forward.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences much appreciated, that is one of the things that we can all draw from as a community.
Thanks for that thoughtful and intuitive response, Alex. Well, I haven't done another post since then, but I have added a page and written the content (via Site Content) for that to my experimental new Web Site so I am pretty excited. I feel that good things are going to start happening with my online venture, both as a Bootcamp marketer, the new Property Management Services site (for now, just for people managing their own rental properties) and another site which will just be blogging and reviewing generally. Plenty of need for good quality content and lots of WA posting coming up too - this little bear is finally coming out of the trees! And thank you for boosting my confidence about posting at just the right time!
The new site is only about half ready so I won't be asking for feedback just yet, although I will be soon as I get a picture or two up, and possibly another page, then I will be hitting up for feedback through the appropriate channels.
That sounds like real progress, it is so good to start building momentum. We have so many resources here at WA. All the best with your new site.
This post was like an answer to what I've been thinking about lately. I've considered myself as a very good writer. But, since joining WA has made me finally notice how much I procrastinate when I should write new content to my site.
When I start writing it goes well, but it's very hard to make myself to start the next post and so on.
The WA training system works for me as it has those "write a new post and publish it" type tasks to check if you want to progress with the training (if you're honest and won't just check the boxes without actually doing the task). :)
All this has revealed me that without support I would most certainly shy away from publishing anything. I would just hide my knowledge and talent and strengthen the belief that what I know is not valuable and/or there are others already doing the same thing so why bother.
I was away from WA for almost two weeks because of another project. During that time I noticed thoughts about not getting back here at all (is it worth it, etc.) and giving up because it's too hard. The doubting mind started to gain more and more room inside my head. But today I came back and found some encouragement here again.
If only everyone could just keep on coming back to their websites and would take the scary first step and click the Add New button (or whatever part is hard for you) and would overcome it again and again.
If you give up before you even know if your content makes someone happy or helps them, maybe it's too early to quit. I have doubts about my content every day, but I want to see how much I can actually help people. I want to find out what is my special combination of talents that will help people who have not yet found the right teacher. I think that in the end the best way to find out is to create new content and see how you feel when you do that and who comes to you!
Hi Svaata
Another great post - very true - you have made some very good points too. In his post above, Alex has really brought it home that one should not be afraid to share and just put the posts out there - they will get better and better as one learns more and more along the way. For now, it is enough to share and enjoy other's posts too - connecting is what it is all about, and we all benefit. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hi, Sanna thank you for sharing your insights, we can write and with practice, we can get better at the craft like you say it can be all about starting sometimes.
Site content has been a really good innovation here at WA we can be in a position whereby we can set targets for the content that we are producing very helpful.
On reflection, the whole deal that is WA helps so many to proceed further down the road than we would necessarily do so under our own steam.
With all the support here it is about putting the work out there, as per the training just push that publish button, I haven't come across anybody that has broken the internet.
We all of us have talents, it is just a matter of reawakening them sometimes, all the best for your search.
Thank you for your thoughs and support! Yes, at least for me even small nudges to the right direction help to get started. Knowing that others know how I feel is very helpful.
I haven't actually looked at the Site Content feature, so thanks for bringing that up!
All the best to you with your writing and other work. I hope your inbox will be filled with happiness and positive energy from now on again!
Thank you for a nice reply to my comment Katharina! :) Yes, I think, honest sharing will have many benefits in both short and long term!
Most of us have so much wisdom to share. Especially those who are a bit more silent and thoughtful. Many straightforward people just go ahead and push the "Publish" button and people listen to them because their words are out there - not because they're the best in their fields, or better than us.
More good points, Svaata - it's the people who put their words out there that get listened too. It applies to everything, writing, singing, painting and so on ..... you can be great but if you don't put it out there, it won't help anyone or get you anywhere either....... so we have to keep pushing the "Publish" button. I plan to as well.
Nice to hear you think the same way too about this! It is not easy to show up, but it will get easier if we just repeat it often enough. :) Let's write many great posts and remember to publish them! :)
Hi, Sara, pleased that you found this post helpful, sometimes we can angst about what we write and have doubts about pushing that publish button and putting our selves out there.
We are all in the same boat from time to time. so it is good to get a take on things, all the best as you make your way.
Alex,
Thanks for voicing what I was feeling. It is really quieter. I too have been able to hold my inbox to 100 or fewer. That has long been a goal. Now it has been easy.
I have been busy with projects, and not here as much.
Thanks for writing about what I was thinking.
Sami
That is good, Sami it is always good to be working on projects when we first come to WA it is like coming to a different planet. As confidence builds we can look at a wider range of topics.
It has been quite probably just one of those times of reflection, for newer folks it can be harder to step up. The community offers an excellent opportunity to express and try things out.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and all the best with your projects.
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What I have noticed on the social platforms is the dumbing down of writing, or using acronyms, incomplete sentences, phrases versus complete thoughts i.e. paragraphs, etc.
The kids especially have come up with their own sub-language that they apparently understand, but I have difficulty with at times. Here it varies from really quality to less (I include myself in the less hehe)...
Writing is an art and a craft as much as a skill I think. Whether it is ads, sales pages, email swipe series, or content for our websites or social accounts, each requires a slightly different angle and approach...
I would love to see more copywriting lessons on WA, I think that would be helpful for those either long away from school, or those that use English as a second language, and for the rest of members too....
Doing a search I see that there are some good links to copywriting sites that are helpful, but few directly within the membership area. Perhaps you have uncovered something that could be added, Alexander.
Good read as usual! Thanks...
Dave : )
Dave, I slightly disagree with you. I don;t think writing has been dumbed down - it simply evolves and changes over the years. Often a generation finds the changes that another generation has made to language inexplicable - but it doesn't make it wrong.
I have publish regency books, but if I exactly copied regency language many readers would not read it, so I have to adapt. I and other writers get criticised by the purists, but you have to write to market.
And the issue of writing to market is the one common thread which will ensure success on any of the approaches that you mention above. Understand who you are writing for. In my experience many people forget that.
Beverley
I agree with you, Dave, some writing class, we would not be disappointed! Let's echo this, see if Kyle and Carson promote this, too.
Best regards and thanks.
Your new Friend:
Mario, alias Moty1.
I see what you are talking about and understand I think. Communication is the key, and writing in the style that readers can understand is crucial to getting your points across.
Writing styles have changed, as have the prose over time. If you look at some of the books written long ago, there is some controversy as to what the intent was.
This often leads to misinterpretation or using bits and pieces of such earlier writings to create a new reality for those that do not take the time to try to understand what really was the intent of the original prose.
By using phrases, lines, and even paragraphs out of context, some people create a way to influence people to their way of thinking, although the pretext for doing so may be baseless...
This is the power of the word, for good and bad. Awesome stuff and one that demands some serious reflection if you are concerned about what you publish...
Thanks for your feedback!
Cheers!
Dave : )
Hi, Moty1! I think they will address this in coming updates, and in the interim, I will add some thoughts of my own in posts here and maybe some training as time permits...I am sure that there are others like yourself that can do the same! Cheers my new friend! Dave : )