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Revelations of a Post Writer: We Are What We Write
When you write a post, you tell us a great deal about yourself. It’s one of my favorite experiences on Ricochet—getting to know people through their writing, not just learning more about a topic. Did you realize how much you tell us about yourself when you write? If not, let me tell you how you reveal who you are.
One of the first things I notice about a writer is your “eloquence factor.” There are some people who have a gift that I simply love. Their words are linked together like chains of daisies, colorful, graceful, and captivating. I don’t write that way, but I love to read others who do. It is like appreciating not only the utility of the thing, but the art that runs within and through it.
But there are others of you who are more utilitarian: words serve your mission to communicate and share with others. Your writing is often brief, to the point, with no words wasted. You are there to serve the idea, you, your computer, and the sentences you write. It is an honorable and practical endeavor.
And then there are those who are blessed with a bounty of both styles.
The writing style of some people seems to be driven by our favorite topics. Posts on the military, current events, controversies, religion, and philosophy seem to dictate how they are written and the length or brevity of what we have to say. Our passions may drive these posts, those times when we feel compelled to express an opinion, clarify a concept, or draw in the reader to elaborate on our ideas. In a sense, the poster and commenters write together, seeding additional ideas, watering, and pruning the topic. We share an enthusiasm for the topic and want to build it together, like a beautifully designed building or a colorful tapestry. It becomes not just a post, but our post.
Finally, you often tell us, directly or indirectly who you are. Our curmudgeons are often endearing and opinionated and we treasure them. Some of us are extremely curious and ask for lots of input. Some of us are set in our opinions and are mainly interested in dueling with ideas. Many of us treasure knowing more about others’ lives, experiences, struggles, and victories. And many do their best to be as private as they can for a multitude of reasons. The motivation to be private also tells us about you.
Ultimately, though, a writer reveals himself or herself: we learn about ideas, concepts, beliefs, and we learn them through you.
For those of you who write, keep writing.
For those of you haven’t, please write.
Tell us who you are.
Published in General
Sir Rodney flung himself from the room, flung himself onto his horse, and rode madly off in all directions.
Uh-oh. How’s your memory? If it’s good, may I ask that you forgive my past transgressions?
Tall order, I know.
Edit: I wonder how I made all of that gibberish happen. I don’t remember seeing that when I made the comment.
Nah, they’re too much fun to gloat over, Steven. Or was it Stu?
You lose
We need to teach you about those quotation mark things.
Constantly.
Why do you think I typically eschew these threads about don’t be afraid to commit writing.
“I’m an Engineer damnit, not a novelist”.
Make no Bones about it.
I write eloquently so as to bring tears to your eyes and joy to your soul. Sadly my autocorrect screws that up into a word salad
I see what you did there