Writing is Thinking on Paper

I realized that writing is only then fun for me when I am the one to decide what to write. Short stories, song lyrics, poems, creative writing. I enjoy letting my mind wander and making up situations and happenings. Even if I am not allowed to choose the exact topic. I’m fine with that. I know I am also able to interpret texts such as poems, stories and articles.

I have a hard time writing about topics I am not interested in. I know that I will have to do that throughout my entire life – especially at university. And of course I will do it and put efford in whatever I will have to write. But I don’t have to like it. Some topics or home assignments I like, some I don’t.

I also realized that feedback is essential – as long as it is supportive. Writing has been a part of my life. A huge part. Even more since I came here. I write every day, in my journal, on my stories, on the internet. It is an opportunity to transport my feelings and experiences, especially since I am so far away from home. I of course want my parents, friends, boyfriend to know how I feel over here and what has been happening since I got off the plane.

Writing can be challenging. When I write my private stuff I usually don’t write more than one draft, except when I write lyrics for my songs. They have to fit the music and some words just do not sound nice when sung. In my stories or poems, I try to find the ‘perfect’ word. That may take a minute, sometimes an hour or even a day. Even a week sometimes. I just want it to be as close to perfect as possible – perfect for ME. If I read a story later and don’t like it the way I wrote it, I would simply write a new one. I like to go back after some time and read my stuff again. I think there are other ways to develop writing skills or even a story than to write draft three or four. I know that this is helpful when it comes to work written for university though, it teaches you to write for university purposes.

I again learned that tastes are different, and I think this is a lecture I will be running into again and again. I am happy when somebody gets what I try to transport with a story but taste is different and that is good. I get frustrated sometimes when I am unable to find the words in English which I would want to use. I can express myself way better in German of course.

I think after this class I am even more sure that writing will always be important to me. Even if I am the only one who reads my stuff. For me it is not about the positive feedback, the compliments or the criticism. I simply need to write. What brings me back to the title of the first essay of the semester: The Need to Write – no Chance to Resist.