Sep 29, 2020
Writing with or without purpose
Write to entertain? Write to inform? Or write to make money. Writers may have various writing purposes. Most writers think it twice before they write.
My previous writing experiences
I remember my essay writing experience when I did my major in English language and literature in a college in Wuhan, China. It was a course in English composition. I wrote on smoking habits. To get a good grade, I researched on the topic on smoking extensively. I listed famous people who smoke and explained why they chose to smoke. I presented the advantages and disadvantages of smoking. My tutor gave me a very good grade, and I was so overwhelmed with the success that I celebrated with my best friend with beer. Later my best friend even asked me to give him the article for his own writing assignment for another course, which I did. I recalled I planned a detailed outline before I started to write down any words for that smoking article. I was proud of my efforts.
Another time I remember was my postgraduate year in Dunedin, New Zealand. I wrote an essay on qualitative studies in education. It was not a simple assignment, and I had to read a lot on that subject. I stayed a whole week researching that topic in the college library. I was so focused on my reading that I did not even notice that my wallet fell out of my pocket as I had to bow down from time to time to search research papers or books from the shelves. My reward was that the professor gave me a very good grade for my assignment. Time and efforts paid again this time.
Earlier this year I completed my certificate in Theology from a Hong Kong Seminary. Tutors appraised my essays with good grades. As you may guess, I spent heaps of time in writing each essay. Later professors encouraged me to study their Bachelor Degree in Theology as I did so well in my studies. However, I declined the offer. Not because I dislike Theology. I think it might be too much for me to analyze the Bible and write long essays with my current situation. I am now middle-aged and occupied with a full-time job daily. I think writing long essays in Theology an enormous challenge. If I cannot afford to do it well, I’d rather not do it.
Good writing does not come easily
It is worthwhile for one to make plans before she/he writes. The key point is a writer should know why she/he writes, and she/he should take writing seriously. No matter what subject it is, a writer would better research on that subject at first. Success does not come easily. So is good writing.
Writing on Medium: my goal
I tried blogging several years ago, and it was a failure. I had few readers, although I made efforts to writing occasionally for my hobby. Now I hope to try on Medium. I write on Medium because I love to share my thoughts with others on subjects I like, such as literature, music, sport, and beliefs. Medium offers me a perfect platform to reach out to a large audience. My goal is not to be profitable but productive. One important thing is that I need to improve my writing and become more mature in thinking. Time waits for no man. Keep trying and practicing. I wish myself good luck.
