Connecting to the World
Look in a scrapbook. Look in your wallet. You’ll find written messages. Diaries, wedding invitations, resumes, love letters, even our names are written as words. Yet, the best writer — the most prolific, the most proficient — is never finished learning, never finished becoming a writer. We are apprentices every one of us. We’re all in the process of becoming.
We’re all apprentice writers — part ego and part self-doubt. It’s the ego that helps us face down that blank page to say what we have to say. It’s the self-doubt that stops us from casting the movie about what we’ve written.
In this age of noise and clutter, we all need to be writers. Writing and publishing are the way we connect to the world.
10 Reasons to Write and Publish Every Day
We write to record our thoughts . . . and by recording them we think them through, rearrange, and re-organize them. We make our ideas clearer. We make our thinking stronger and more easily understood. We carve a path that a reader, a listener, another person can follow from our minds to their minds, from our hearts to their hearts. Writing is a connection waiting to happen.
Publishing makes the connection more natural and accessible.
Here are ten reasons that writing (and publishing) every day is important.
- Writing every day makes us better thinkers. It takes our thoughts out of our heads and challenges us to express them in understandable ways. Effective writing is the opposite of seat-of-the-pants thinking.
- Writing every day teaches us how to work with words in print, to construct a meaningful message. Like playing a guitar or doing math, writing takes practice.
- Writing every day helps us develop a voice that is natural and consistent, strong and confident, and attuned to readers. Everything we write has an audience. Even when we write for ourselves, we go back to read, listening to what we wrote. We question. We consider. We critique our choices.
- Writing every day improves our ability to craft remarkable prose that people want to share. Every time someone shares something that we write they add value to our ideas — when they change them and when they don’t.
- Writing every day gets us comfortable with the conventions of writing and the conventions of writing give our messages credibility. The credibility is how society finds the appropriate place for our ideas.
- Writing every day lets us find our personal writing process. We lose our fear of flying and learn our way around our creativity. We get familiar with what to do when we need ideas, how to know what we want to say, what is always going to be hard, and what parts are worth looking forward to.
- Writing every day teaches us how to tell our internal editor to be quiet until we need feedback.
- Writing every day makes us better, more thoughtful readers. We bring the insights and appreciation of a writer to what we read.
- Writing every day connects us to people. We meet more people in print than we can ever possibly meet face to face. Many people will know our written voice as well as they know our names.
- Writing every day makes us architects and builders. We record our history, and we imagine the future. We inspire and motivate, both ourselves and others. We make something that changes the world, something lasting. We make a unique contribution that others might use.
Everything written is inherently personal and at the same time dynamically social. In a noisy world, it’s the way we communicate across continents, across living rooms; with folks we just met and with every generation of our families. We write our dreams, our business plans, and ask questions. We read. We respond. We get the ultimate first impression.
Each time we write our voice becomes clearer, more focused, and stronger, until our writing is inseparable from our voice. Everything we write is written about us.
Publishing is how we talk to the world and how the world hears us.
What have you told the world today?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Michael Stelzner says
December 28, 2006 at 9:47 AMLiz – Keep on writing!
You inspire me.
Mike
ME Strauss says
December 28, 2006 at 9:51 AMWow! Mike,
Thank you. π
franky says
December 28, 2006 at 10:00 AM11. Blogging daily makes our feed roll longer every day. π
ME Strauss says
December 28, 2006 at 10:01 AMFranky,
You are a special one! π
franky says
December 28, 2006 at 10:09 AMLiz, I do my utterly best. I am
SEOmeme unfriendly like that. π
ME Strauss says
December 28, 2006 at 10:22 AMFranky,
You are highly relevant and enjoyable. That counts! π
Whitney says
December 28, 2006 at 10:32 AMTying in with your #10…
Enid Blyton, a children’s book author, wrote 10,000 words a day. In her career, she wrote for magazines for decades and published approximately 800 books which were translated into nearly 90 languages:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enid_Blyton
It would be impossible to count how many peoples’ childhoods she was a part of, how many future adults she played a part in shaping.
While that many words in a week…never mind a day…could be mind-numbing to produce, there’s inspiration to be found in her discipline and dedication. At the very least, it makes daily journaling or a 600-word posting for one’s business blog seem much more manageable. π
ME Strauss says
December 28, 2006 at 11:05 AMHi Whitney!
Yeah, when you think of the minds that Enid Blyton touched and you add to it that she has the power to continue touching minds, the idea is awe inspiring. One person can have such a role in changing lives, even a tiny bit, using only words.
Dabbling Mum says
December 28, 2006 at 12:26 PMI just LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE this list. It’s so what I tell my family, friends, and colleagues.
Writing has always been a HUGE part of my life, and I truly believe that every human being can tell his/her life story through personal thoughts and journal entries.
ME Strauss says
December 28, 2006 at 12:41 PMThank you ma’am!
It’s a huge part of my life too!!
Andrew Flusche says
December 28, 2006 at 3:45 PMLiz, you’re so awesome! I’ve been struggling with blogger’s block / blog burnout these past few days. This post is really going to help motivate me to keep trucking. Self doubt, get away from me!
ME Strauss says
December 28, 2006 at 3:48 PMHi Andrew,
Thanks. I sort of planned this thinking folks might be losing steam about now. . . I’m glad that you found it something that helps you! π
Peter Mullison says
December 28, 2006 at 4:52 PMThis is my goal: to post everyday. My reasons for blogging began as business ones. But now they are somewhat selfish. I like to write, and I like to be read. My blog gives me the chance to do both.
Thanks for the post.
Peter Mullison
http://www.employmentlawcolorado.com
ME Strauss says
December 28, 2006 at 6:37 PMHi Peter!
Welcome!
Both are great reasons and ones that will serve you will. Thanks for the comment. We forget sometimes tha feeding our minds is important as feeding our bodies. π
Francie says
December 28, 2006 at 7:15 PMI’ve always been a writer. But, it used to be something I either did as a part of work projects (marketing) with little or no personal recognition or left on the back burner for my personal writing.
Now, finally with the information age and knowledge-based economy, I can take my writing seriously! And, I find there’s an ever-increasing audience all around me who also takes it seriously!
Thank you Liz, for being in the forefront of the electronic wordshare. I am enjoying getting to know your “written voice.” I love #10 – “we make a unique contribution that others might use.” That sums it up for me!
ME Strauss says
December 28, 2006 at 7:19 PMHi Francie,
I’m getting to know you too! That’s so cool!
You’re definitely a writer. Your blog shows it, even in the white spaces.
I’m excited for you and the year you have coming. The first year let loose with a blog is so darn exciting!
Rick Cockrum says
December 28, 2006 at 9:52 PMThanks, Liz. I printed this one to look at when I’m feeling like I have nothing to say. You, and those like you who do post something one or more times a day continually amaze me.
ME Strauss says
December 28, 2006 at 9:58 PMDon’t be fooled, Rick. Some days I work hard to find the ideas I’ll write tomorrow. I need that pause to reflect and get away, just like everyone does. π
Rick Cockrum says
December 28, 2006 at 10:12 PMOh, I know you work hard. But you come up with something, and do it well. I’m with Mike.
ME Strauss says
December 28, 2006 at 10:14 PMThanks, Rick. It’s a lot easier with you guys listening in. π
Michelle says
December 28, 2006 at 10:58 PMI agree, to me it’s like exercise, the more I do it the stronger a writer I am. If nothing else, it’s good for my morale to physically produce something daily, even if it gets thrown in the trash by the end of the day.
ME Strauss says
December 28, 2006 at 11:01 PMHi Michelle,
It’s a lot like exercise for the mind, isn’t it? It keeps our thinking fresh and viable, new and tested. . . . We can’t help but be “on our toes. π
I bet you don’t have many days that you trash everything. π
Kian Ann says
December 29, 2006 at 6:49 AMLiz,
Thanks. This post is very very inspirational. I’ve been thinking if cracking my brains to churn out new content to my blog everyday is doing me good or wasting my time… now I’m confident it does do me good. π
ME Strauss says
December 29, 2006 at 7:31 AMHi Kian,
You’re more than right that writing works in your favor. It will keep your brain cells in tune. It makes us think our thoughts through to the end. We have to go further than we would if we kept them to ourselves.
With your natural confidence and intelligence combined with the discipline of writing every day. You’ll not only become a stronger, more effective writer. You’ll be a deeper, more respected thinker. And thinking will be more fun!!! π
Phil says
December 29, 2006 at 8:32 AMHi Liz,
I didn’t get into blogging for the writing, more for the experience of owning and running my own website whilst learning how to write better code. The blog was to post my code and experiences learning.
Over the time I was writing it, I realised that there was a lot more to it than just posting the occasional article. I was trying to program more than I was capable, just so that I could write about it. I used to feel slightly guilty for making an off topic post, but now I have plans to expand so that I can talk about anything as well as keeping focussed on the original area.
Why has this happened, because of all you have written about above. Connecting with others, sharing knowledge and experience, learning about writing as well as the subject in hand, reading other people’s blogs and appreciating their opinions in a more constructive way.
Right now I don’t have the internet at home (yeah, commenting from work, but my boss isn’t in so who’s going to catch me!) and I am straining at the bit to return to writing (not to mention a new design that is nearly ready). 2007 is going to be a big year for my blog and consequently, me.
(Note to self: swing by here more often!)
ME Strauss says
December 29, 2006 at 8:46 AMHi Phil!
Welcome! I understand your story deeply and completely. I thought I was making a writer’s blog, something to keep my writing discipline and a place where folks might come to get away from those darn cell phone in elevators. That’s just not what I found.
How lucky can one writer girl get to stumble into a thinker’s revolution like this?
What I found was thoughts and ideas that were charming, enchanting, and sticky. They followed and played inside my head. They turned and twisted my curiosity and led me to write more. Each word build on the past ones ontil a body of work was born.
It’s a gift to my family and a gift to myself as well.
The people that I met, on the other hand, are the ultimate gift to me. π
Myrthe says
December 30, 2006 at 4:51 AMI printed this post and put it on the wall near my computer. I love writing, but I have been struggling with my rhythm lately. That bugs me because too much gets stuck in my head and doesn’t come out.
I try to stick to writing something every day (a blog post, an email, a comment to something I read) to get my writing rhythm & discipline back (and to work my way through a long list of to-write-things;-
)), but it’s not always easy. Your post will be a good reminder and inspiration. Thank you!
Karin says
December 30, 2006 at 5:09 AM“Writing is a connection waiting to happen.”
That in fact says it all IMHO, connecting not just writers with readers, but first of all connecting your thoughts, ideas, sudden insights to your ‘heart’, character and life.
Great post Liz, as some others have done: I’ll print the whole list and place it on the wall next to my desk so I’m reminded constantly that writing does matter (for me, to me)
ME Strauss says
December 30, 2006 at 10:32 AMHi Mrthe!
When that happens to me I walk around a lot, walking seems to help. It seems to shake the words out.
Thank you for saying what you did.
You’re not a stranger anymore. π
ME Strauss says
December 30, 2006 at 10:33 AMKarin,
I love the connections you point out. I also love the “to me, for me” at the end. π
Evelyn says
December 30, 2006 at 11:42 AMThanks for the inspiration. Lately I’ve let the tryanny of pesky, fruitless tasks get in the way of a consistent writing practice.
ME Strauss says
December 30, 2006 at 4:42 PMHi Evelyn!
Great to meet you! I wrote this for that very reason. I needed to find a little inspiration for myself. π The holidays can sure get in the way of certain kinds of momentum. I wanted to get mine rolling again!
Anthony says
December 30, 2006 at 6:33 PMExcellent article…
I’m striving to write daily on my blog but finding it increasingly challenging as each day passes.
ME Strauss says
December 30, 2006 at 6:43 PMHi Anthony,
Thanks! We all have peaks and valleys when we write. That’s part of what prompted me writing this post. I wonder, about what might be causing yours? Is it the time of the year? Is it the topic? Is it that ideas are hard to come by?
How can I help?
Ryan says
January 1, 2007 at 11:15 PMGreat post. I think exercising my mind through writing has become a stellar hobby of mine. This post reinforces my feelings toward writing. Thanks and I’ll be adding your RSS to my reader!
ME Strauss says
January 1, 2007 at 11:47 PMHi Ryan!
Welcome!
I think that writing every day is a stellar hobby of yours too. Thanks for thinking my blog is worth keeping around. I like to think it’s pretty good myself.
You’re not a stranger anymore. Stop by and let me know how I’m doing. π
Chinmay says
January 6, 2007 at 7:15 AMHi Liz,
I must say that I am so delighted for I started my year with reading this post !! I started blogging last year…for always there’s so much interesting goin on around me which I want to share with those in my close proximity π
Oflate, I realised that my blog’s readership is pretty small and stopped blogging π
After reading ur post….I feel that I too have certainly created echo in Blogging and going forward can improvise.
Thanks for being so inspiring .. u made my day indeed ! (Let me link to ur blog right away ;))
Regards,
Chinmay
ME Strauss says
January 6, 2007 at 7:26 AMHi Chinmay!
Welcome!
Ah, what a great comment to wake up to! If you have heard me say, “your voice is important,” YEA!!! You should see the smile on my face right now.
In your fingers, in your cells, there is intuitive truth that only you have access to, that only you know. It’s your experience of te world as an individual. It’s way you see the color, blue . It’s the way you hear what I write. It’s the way to put words together to say “here’s how to do this well.” Your way might help someone understand, when my way cannot.
We cannot write each other’s writing. I can’t write like you, just like I can’t be who you are. I would be a bad version of you. I can’t be someone who I’m not — every time I’ve tried the result is hollow and people figure it out. Folks know not trust when that’s going on. They also can sense it when we write.
So congratulations! Write your words. They’re yours to write. π
You’re not a stranger here anymore. I hope that means you’ll be back to share your thoughts again.
Chinmay says
January 6, 2007 at 8:09 AMWow, couldn’t have anticipated a quicker response Liz π I am all charged up now-shall email you when I get into a habit of writing daily π & make my presence visible on the ubiquitous WWW.
ME Strauss says
January 6, 2007 at 8:14 AMGosh, Chinmay! You said something so important. You deserved to know you were heard — right away!! π
Michael Carnell says
March 22, 2007 at 3:11 PMVery inspiring. I am going to print this out and keep it with me. Just the kind of reminder I need. Thanks!
ME Strauss says
March 22, 2007 at 9:40 PMHi Michael!
Thank you for your response to what I wrote. We all need this kind of wremind about what we write. In fact, that’s why I srote it — to remind me. π
Sandra says
April 3, 2007 at 9:14 PMI was just referred to your site today… how wonderful! I’m a new blogger but have always loved to write. I’ve never published anything but Blogging and studying the style of other Bloggers (like u) have really inspired me. I’m beginning to work on a project I feel very passionate about.
Keep giving to the world π
Blessings,
Sandra
ME Strauss says
April 3, 2007 at 9:30 PMHi Sandra!
Welcome and thank you!
New bloggers, experienced bloggers, everyone who blogs is welcome. If you love to write, stick around lots of us do. Hang in here. π
Emmie says
April 4, 2007 at 4:40 AMWow what a great list of inspiration. Thanks Liz!
ME Strauss says
April 4, 2007 at 6:24 AMHi Emmie,
Welcome!
Thank you! This post is one I use often and in fact, I just sent last night to someone. who was feeling like she wasn’t a very good writer.
Rene Kriest@ProBloggerWorld.de says
May 1, 2007 at 10:13 PMNice and very motivational posting. Thank you very much, Liz!
Have a nice day,
RenΓΒΓΒ©/ProBloggerWorl.de
Bob Glaza says
May 23, 2007 at 5:19 PMwhy is it always 57 comments to get to the bottom Liz? LOL…even if it is 6 months later π – Christine Kane says print this post off – I’m taking her advice –
ME Strauss says
May 23, 2007 at 8:13 PMHi Bob!
I was thinking what took YOU so long to get here. It seems like you would already know this. I bet you do. π
ME Strauss says
May 23, 2007 at 8:15 PMHi RenΓΒΓΒ©,
How did I miss your comment? I’m sorry it took me so long to respond. Thank you for reading and listening to what I have to say. You are one of the reasons I write and publish every day. π
Bob Glaza says
May 24, 2007 at 1:26 PMKnowing and doing π those are 2 verbs – right?!?! Practice, practice, practice – a new mantra π
ME Strauss says
May 24, 2007 at 2:32 PMOh Bob!
I think you’re doing what you know how to do quite well actually. π
dAP says
June 28, 2007 at 6:03 PMLiz
Thank you for the inspiring 10 Reasons.
I’ve been struggling with sitting down before or after work on a daily basis.
You have given me a nice encouraging boost to get on with it.
This site is definitely going into my writers favorites.
Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing.
Take care…
ME Strauss says
June 28, 2007 at 6:07 PMHi DAP,
Welcome. Your single comment was like 10 reasons for me to keep writing. Thank you.
You’re not a stanger anymore. π
Anders says
July 1, 2007 at 6:30 AMThank you for this post, Liz. To the first point I would add that writing creates a context to think in, not just for ourselves but for other people as well.
ME Strauss says
July 1, 2007 at 6:34 AMHi Anders!
Welcome and thank you.
More and more I find myself, in conversations, saying “This is context.” I need to frame my thoughts to make certain they don’t weighed on the wrong scale. I hope that the person I’m speaking to in that instance uses the context in that way.
So your comment underscores, that very need I see when I talk as well.
You’re not a stranger anymore. π
Roberto says
February 2, 2008 at 10:58 PMHello!
Thanks for inspire to open my blog! JA!
You are completely right!
Roberto
ME Liz Strauss says
February 3, 2008 at 6:57 AMHi Roberto!
Welcome and thank you! π
Keep on blogging the benefits are too many to give up. I know, I’ve been there. π
Ryshia says
December 29, 2008 at 2:57 PMI love your ten reasons to write every day. As a writer when I think of writing, I think not so much of my blog posts but of the latest story churning around in my head. The one that I get up early every day to wrestle into submission or to write down the scene that woke me in the middle of the night… And while I was writing every day, I knew I was creating a habit and honing a craft. When I read your post I realized it was so much more.
What a fantastic reminder of the importance of writing in our lives.
Thanks.
amanda@choosing-life-my-way.com says
November 14, 2009 at 8:22 PMThis was just the extra boost I needed to start my day. I will be reading more of your writing, and of course.. continuing with my own. Thanks for the motivating read π
ME Liz Strauss says
November 15, 2009 at 6:16 PMThanks, Amanda,
We all need recharging and reminding sometimes. I wrote this one as much for myself as for anyone. heh heh
Ghennipher says
November 15, 2009 at 6:43 PMGreat reminder, Liz! When I moved to a new town years ago, I set up a blog and made sure to post at least once a day. At first, I wanted the blog to be private, just a place for me to get my thoughts out of my head. But of course, somebody found the blog and within weeks I had hundreds of new online friends who helped me through the transition, and made me really thankful for the opportunity to self-publish. You’ve got a ton of online friends who are wishing you well and hoping you never stop writing and publishing every day.
Cheers!
Jenny Blankety says
May 4, 2010 at 2:12 PMLovely and inspiring just like Christine Kane said!
Govind says
July 7, 2010 at 7:45 AMThanks,
Love it. I have read many other blogs and articles but this article truly unique and special.
I Inspired.
Roger C. Parker says
July 8, 2010 at 9:41 PMDear Liz:
Nice to finally make your acquaintance. I’ll probably be sticking around and exploring more of the riches in your blog.
One of the lessons your post teaches is that first-quality posts have long shelf lives. I can’t believe this post was written almost 4 years ago, but it is as fresh and relevant today as it was then.
Best wishes–
Roger
ME Liz Strauss says
July 8, 2010 at 10:01 PMHi Roger!
Welcome!
Thank you for noticing that this post wasn’t written today. Though I believe every word in this moment as I did on the day I wrote it, I am delighted that you saw that it’s not new. Some words last …
Kim says
July 22, 2010 at 6:44 AMHi, I agree with you, writing is most certainly important. I share in the same Vision as you.Teach others to write…thanx Kim – (Nairobi – Kenya)
Jacqui Justice says
August 10, 2010 at 8:07 AMthanks so much for your inspiring words and encouragement to get going with my blogging. Started two of them in the spring and despite all good intentions, haven’t kept up. Thanks again and I look forward to following yours.
Jacqui
Susanne says
August 21, 2011 at 10:14 AMThis blog may be a few years old, but it is one of those timeless pieces.
I’ve been a writer all of my life, getting lost in the crafting of whatever I was writing. However, I’ve never been a public writer- all my previous writing was directed to one individual or group or for me personally.
And I haven’t been very consistent- I don’t keep a journal.
So, I’m getting my feet wet blogging and coming up against a lot of the issues you’ve addressed here.
I stumbled upon an old blog of my mentor, Christine Kane, recently who referenced this one. I think I’ll do what she did- keep it handy for those days when I need a little reminder of the whys.
Thank you for writing this all those years ago…it still matters.
With gratitude,
Susanne
Anastasia Alston says
September 15, 2011 at 4:28 PMThis makes so much sense! If you develop a habit of writing daily it’s hard to forget or simply “not get around to” your blog posts for the week. I’ve been struggling with blogging 3 times a week (so far unsuccessful); I’m going to change my personal rule to blogging daily, just like I do with my Morning Pages. I bet this will make a much bigger difference in my efforts to post regularly. Thanks so much for the inspiration! π
Aiwwan says
December 28, 2011 at 8:29 AMLet me add to this list, by writing everyday you get higher ranking in SE and build a solid authority site.