Writing

Writer’s block? Not exactly. In a simplistic sense, writer’s block characterizes lack of new ideas. But I am full of ideas to write. There are so many things going on in my head but I am not able to sit down and write. So I thought why not write about what’s stopping me from writing.

Fear

Yes, I do fear writing on some of the topics of my interest. Why? I am afraid of criticism. I am afraid to reveal myself to my readers. It feels like being naked in public. I am afraid that my blog won’t have any common theme other than the fact that I am writing it. But I am overcoming this fear gradually. Steve’s post on ‘the hidden inner life of existential depression’ made me realize my weakness. It takes courage to write on topics that reveal parts of you. I am sure he must have been criticized and ridiculed by some. But it helped me. It must have helped others. So, I am going to shed my fears and try to help others like Steve. See I am writing about my weaknesses in this post hoping that it’ll help you to shed some of your fears.

Anytime you work with materials that are deep parts of yourself, you feel revulsion at showing things about yourself that you don’t want people to know. – Janet Flitch

Writing skills

Earlier I used to write drafts that I would delete eventually. I know I should have saved them if not post them but I couldn’t bring myself to hit the save button seeing the poor writing. Now I regret. I am still new in this writing arena. Also, I have not been an avid reader until recently. So, I never developed a good writing style. But I am trying. John at ‘Pick the Brain’ is one of my inspiration. His post on ‘how to attract an audience by writing with style’ provides useful suggestions for writers to improve. The process is slow but I believe I am improving.

Why bother?

It is difficult to realize that Educated Being is helping others unless someone communicates it to me. Sometimes I start writing and then just delete it thinking why bother, does it matters. Recently I received an email from one of the readers on how Educated Being has helped him, and how he wants to hear more from me. Another one asked for my permission to nominate it for best education blog at blogger’s choice awards (though I haven’t heard back from him yet). This surely flattered me but it also opened my eyes. I realized that there might be other Educated Being readers who enjoy my posts but just don’t communicate for some reason. Most of us are like that. I am no different. But I’ll change now. And I won’t let it bother me anymore. I’ll write.

Ph.D.

Well, this is just an excuse though I have to fight for time away from my research.

After writing all this I am contemplating if I should publish it, save it as a draft or delete it. After re-reading what I wrote I have decided to publish it. I am trying to walk the talk. So, here it goes.