Hey there, literary voyagers,
Today, I want to share a different kind of journey with you—not through countries or across city blocks, but through the realms of writing, where ink meets paper, or in our modern age, fingertips meet keyboards.
The Therapeutic Tap of Keys
Writing has always been my sanctuary, my personal therapy. There’s something profoundly soothing about translating the chaos of thoughts into coherent words. Most of my writing is a private affair, a dialogue between me and the page, with no intention of ever letting the world in on our conversation.
- Brain Dumps: Sometimes, it’s purely about emptying my mind, getting rid of the clutter to start the day with clarity.
- Memory Lane: Other times, it’s about capturing moments, telling stories to myself, reminding me of my past adventures and aspirations.
The Spark in College
My formal dance with writing began in college, in an Honors Composition class. The stars aligned with a teacher who not only taught but inspired, pushing us towards creative exploration. His encouragement was like kindling to a fire I didn’t know I had burning within.
Daily Rituals and Creative Bursts
This spark led me to cultivate a habit of daily writing, a sort of mental warm-up to kickstart my day. This practice matured into a disciplined ritual at 750words.com, where every day started with at least 750 words of unfiltered stream-of-consciousness.
Venture into Fiction
Teaching English opened another chapter in my writing life. Crafting stories for lessons or engaging students in storytelling sessions, I discovered the joy of fiction writing. This excitement propelled me into the ambitious project of writing a series of books. While they might not have been literary masterpieces, the planning and writing process was exhilarating, teaching me about structure, character development, and the sheer fun of creation.
Short Stories and Beyond
As time went on, I found a particular fondness for short stories. They allowed me the flexibility to experiment with different ideas, settings, and voices, without the daunting commitment of a full-length novel.
You can read some of my stories on my previous blog here
The New Frontier: Second Brain
In recent years, my writing has taken on a new form. No longer teaching English, I’ve turned my focus inward but in a new direction. I’ve adopted the Zettelkasten method for knowledge management, which has evolved into building what I call my ‘Second Brain.’ Using Kortex, a tool that lets me weave connections between notes, I’ve been able to capture and organize thoughts, ideas, and experiences in a way that’s both productive and, in its own right, creative.
Invitation to Share
So, tell me about your writing journey:
- Do you write for yourself, or do you share your creations?
- Have you ever tried your hand at fiction, or do you prefer other forms of writing?
- Are you familiar with the concept of a ‘Second Brain’? How do you manage your ideas and notes?
Writing isn’t just about telling stories; it’s about understanding our own journey, making sense of the world, and sometimes, just getting through another day. I’d love to hear how writing has played a role in your life or if you’re considering picking up the pen (or keyboard) for the first time.
Let’s share, learn, and inspire each other in this art of crafting words.
Warmly, David