To write or not to write, that is the question - part 2 (#11)

To write or not to write, that is the question - part 2 (#11)

Alongside a river bank, the sun in hard labour and the river in calm endurance, "what is it that we can do to make things better", I ask myself. A stream of thoughts pass by, like scenes that change across a train window - our mind is also a window, a window to thoughts - thoughts that come from a source that is unknown.

We receive and relay thoughts - but do not create them. The thought I engendered was on the question of what I should be writing next? I committed that I will keep writing this journal every week. Writing is therapeutic - it cleanses the mind. And I write so that I can share.

No, I cannot pretend that I write for my own sake - if that were the case, I can write it elsewhere where only I can read. I write here because I want others to read.

Good writing - is not about grammar nor is it about exotic language. Good writing is like music (not my words, I read it somewhere). A piece of good writing when read, does something unique. It elevates and calms at the same time.

I have always felt that the emotion with which a book was written gets conserved in the words of the book. Every time one reads a book, we inadvertently tune ourselves to the mind of the author that was. The mind of the present aligns with the mind of the author from earlier, creating the same impact across decades. Its remarkable but it also shows the potency of a book to change thinking - words have the capacity to influence the direction of our lives. We need them - but they must be handled like fire, a double-edged sword - one that can cause both warmth and arson.

Ever since the first post on writing, I tried to revisit my own understanding of the craft. I wanted to assure myself that I don't share anything that is not thought through. And this required a lot of reading, contemplation and refinement within.

There can be 4 kinds of writing - 4 different writing styles.

  1. #EffectiveWriting - one that appeals to the intellect or head
  2. #SubjectiveWriting - one that appeals to the mind or heart
  3. #CreativeWriting - one that appeals to both, head and heart
  4. #FauxWriting - one that fakes. pretends or hides an ignoble intention

What is the writing style that one must adopt at the workplace? One might be tempted to say #EffectiveWriting. I would have said the same earlier. But now, after giving it a lot of thought, I see that one must adopt all 3 writing styles at the workplace - but the challenge is to know when, where and how to use them. Does this mean that one can be subjective (and not objective) at the workplace? I believe so, not that it is recommended but just so because it is unavoidable.

#EffectiveWriting needs no elaboration. It requires an objective mind, one with values, self-control (or control over emotions), and clear thinking. This involves a lot of effort.

#CreativeWriting is something unique. It is a way of writing that stems from an inner fountain. The words of a creative writer is objective without trying to be objective. It is objectivity without labour. The words by their very nature reach the heart as much as it reaches the head of the person reading. Many times when we have felt captivated by a book that makes us oblivious to things around, its certain the author has been using this #creativewriting style. And the best part of all this is that you can never try to use this approach of writing consciously. It just happens - like dew drops on a leaf just after dawn. There is no harm in employing #CreativeWriting at the workplace - but this is a rarity as it is a skill that not many possess.

#FauxWriting is self-explanatory. It is an insincere usage of words that goes against the purpose of - transparency, honesty, and mutual value.

One of the main caveats of today's work culture is the reduction of a human being into a non-sentient asset that merely provides an output. Humans are not machines, and wages cannot be the sole reason that someone works for an organisation. There needs to be a cause for the employee to stick with the employer - to feel a sense of togetherness - for that relationship to continue. In the name of objectivity and professionalism, organisations and many employees themselves do not subscribe to this notion. And for sometime, I have been guilty of this too. But I realise that no matter how much objective we try and want to be, subjectivity is a given and to an extent this is not to be frowned upon.

Instead of pushing for objectivity at the workplace, one can train oneself to handle others' subjectivity. In most cases, any subjective action or reaction is a tell-tale sign of the person behind, a sign of fear, insecurity or lack of care. If that is understood, handling subjectivity at the workplace is never a big challenge.

Observe closely what you get to read or write at the workplace everyday - E-mails, Chats, and ask the question - what is the writing style here? It will help understand the plot, the sub-plot and more importantly, what you are in that very moment.

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