When I write, especially for blogs or for the public, I feel that I need to write the document to the perfection regardless of the purpose of it. I feel that I need to have perfect imagery, adjectives, and anecdots to "inspire" and connect with the readers of my writing. I constantly pressure myself to find better words, write complex, yet perfect phrases that would portray me as a good, if not great, and elite writer. But sometimes, I question, why in the world do I need to be some damned critical of myself? Why can't I just write as I am writing to myself, writing a diary, or just writing a simple email to a friend? Perhaps, it the problem we all have, but what I think my problem is that I want to "impress" people of who I am and by what I am thinking. Voila, here's your true, hard nosed elitist and perfectionist!!!
I have to admit that my past attempts at launching blogs of my own had failed not just because of technical issues I was having with the blog template and system, but also because of the issues I was having with my writing and what I wanted to write. Everytime, I sit down at night after the daily chores to write, I start thinking about the perfect introduction that could smoothly weave into the body paragraphs and to the conclusion without even really thinking about what I wanted to write. Even if I had a topic to write, I become too serious and academic that often it required references. After six years of post-secondary education, including the graduate degree, why, I question, do I keep putting additional burden on myself to write a collegiate essay of all things!
Nonetheless, I certainly foresee a benefit in continuing to do what I like to do - this will certainly help with my writing. My writing is not perfect. No matter how hard I try, there always will be mistakes and someone will have to proof read it to make sure I didn't miss articles such as 'a' and 'the.' Even after several proof reads, there will be mistakes. I am sure that after I finish writing this, proof reading it, and publishing it, when I read it some other day, I will say "what was I thinking in writing such sentence?" "Why did I miss that?" "That paragraph does not have good supporting ideas." To that, the best excuase I can give myself is "we are not perfect."
I believe that it is the nature of us humans to be imperfect, and some believe that such is the beauty of a human being. In my opinion, the beauty of human beings lie in the act of bring ourselves closer to the perfection - "effort," "perseverence," "trying," and "endeaver" are few words that I think that describe such act. Contracting to what I proclaimed earlier, I think, or at least would like to consider, that this is why I keep trying to write to my best knolwedge, to write perfectly and not because I just want to be portrayed as an elitist or some "smartass." I take pride in that no matter what discourages me, I will keep searching for those perfect adjectives and phrases to express my ideas. Likewise, not in just my writing, but in all aspect of my life, I hope to find myself giving my best efforts to persevere my imperfections.
Picture: Grand Canyon at dusk, Hojoon Sohn, EF-S 17-85mm, Canon EOS 300 May 2006
1 comment:
A state of perfection is relative, and in any form of literature, the most powerful ones exude honesty, spirit, and heart. Write with ease and calmness. Write not because of complexity, but for clarity. Explore different words, yet still remember that a simpler one could suffice. Write with your heart, similar to the way intellect and reason flow out through your everyday conversations. Honesty is a beautiful thing. The reflection of truth can indeed be a state of perfection in writing.
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