I'm home for the weekend and celebrating my return to broadband by visiting all my fave sites. Of course, checking emails and my blogs, too. A reader emailed me, remarking that she is frustrated with her writing skills, even embarrassed by them.

We all can't be writers. But that doesn't mean that you can't express yourself through the written word. The operative term here is express. If you've got something to say and you believe it's important enough to be expressed, then go ahead and express yourself! It's not just the pundits who are allowed to do this. Most of us are pajama bloggers, admittedly, but we all have stories to tell. I suppose you'll have to first determine why you want to express yourself. Is it for appreciation? For attention? For the heck of it? For the fun of it?

I started the TIS blogs for the lack of avenues to sound off on my experiences. I never thought that I'd have readers. I am thrilled, of course, that I have people who've chosen to accompany me on this journey. It makes a huge difference when you write for a readership, no matter how small or scattered or diverse in philosophy and way of life. But the blogs were and are still primarily for me.

It's funny how writing can be like sex. Ability comes from doing, as someone said. I can't remember who. One of those really great writers. Writing is my craft so I take great pains to improve myself in this regard. But, as I've stated before, talent won't get you far without life experiences. Unless you have something to write about, there's no use in writing. Words are only containers; they take the form of what it is you put in them. The stories from your experiences dictate the words, and you have to listen well to get them right.

If you have the itch to tap on that keyboard, you're probably hearing the words already. The next step is to learn the craft of writing and presenting ideas -- not to please an imagined readership, but to satisfy yourself that you have told the story as you've heard it.

Live them first, then listen to your own stories.

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MXRR

hi emyn nice to know that you're back and blogging again... after all you are one of the gifted ones who can actually express what they feel and convey what they want to say in words... i wish i was that lucky... :-)

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basangpanaginip

What an insight.

I like what you said: words are containers. This is so true. "Write what you know" the popular maxim goes.

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simplyjessie

That was insightful. I've also read your links on writting better blogs / better blogging and they've helped a lot!

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Punks

Wow, I am enlightened!! Thanks for the insight.