The desire to write can emerge in any phase of life, and it deepens as the years advance. As the decision to write is made and the process evolves, memories become a catharsis of remembrance and feelings. The experience is wonderful and expanding.

Writing is a powerful tool for self-discovery and for learning in general.

Now, let’s look at the practical side.

Generally the exercise of writing strikes fear in many minds. Sentiments like “I am not a writer,” “I do not have the education,” “I could make a fool of myself,” “Who can be interested in my life?”, “Why bother spending the time on it when no one reads it?”, “Language is not my strong talent,” and other excuses.

They are not meant to be excuses, but reasons with which to hide from the best gift you have to offer ~ the gift of yourself. Give yourself permission to write about yourself and have a good time doing it.

Write for you as the audience, and then it will be honest and sincere. The audience will absorb it. On the other hand, unerringly the reader detects, and yes rejects, any dubious statements and the entire piece will be seen as not being truthful.

I am not a writer; I just like to write and read. Without formal education in writing, I had to educate myself as English is now my first language, although German was my native language. In print or on my Kindle I read every book I could find on the art of writing. I learned a great deal about the ego of famous writers and found out that most of them are not teachers. And that is okay.

Remember the words ‘when the student is ready, the teacher appears.’ And so he did for me.

In my opinion, William Zinsser’s On Writing Well, is a must read for all writers. If you appreciate his guidance, you can decide on reading some of his other books.

In addition, I recommend The Elements of Style by Strunk and White on the correct usage of the English language.

In conclusion, Professor Strunk suggests, “Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences. This requires not that the writer make all sentences short, or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.”

George can be reached at [email protected].