Writers are more apt to understand writing as giving: "Here. Take it. Enjoy it. Thank me. (Pay me, if possible.) But I'm not interested right now in evaluation or criticism." English teachers, on the other hand, usually can't think of anything to do with a set of words except to formulate criticism of one sort or another—high criticism for works of student writing. I suspect this is why English teachers so seldom write." (Writing with Power 21)
One of the things I love about blogs is the generosity of the bloggers. It's such a joy to read writing that is given as a gift. Even "bad" writing has this sense of expansive sharing that just bouys my spirits when I read it. Where else can you find such an eager outpouring of self into the marketplace of ideas than on the Internet? I feel rich all the way down to the corners of my soul when I scroll through blogs and read posts to email lists and forums.
Thank God that we've recovered the joy of writing—stolen it back from the red pens and English teachers of our pasts.
In the last three months, I've done more writing than I have in years. I run two daily blogs, I've completed my second book, I've written seven papers for grad school and completed one research length paper for the Society of Biblical Literature. I can't even begin to quantify how many posts I've made all over the Internet.
The thing of it is that my writing is more joyful now than it's ever been. I have found the perfect balance for me—places to express myself in writing that aren't being scrutinized for publication but also aren't merely hidden in a private journal.
Here's to the brave writer in all of us.
And by the way, thanks for reading my writing. Tell me where you are and I'll return the compliment by reading yours. :)
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