There is something noble and great about writing. Writing forces you to decide what you think and what you believe. Writing also helps others to decide what they think and believe - through their agreement or disagreement with what you said.
Many great men and women have helped shape history through their written words. Theologians, poets, novelists, etcetera, have impacted thoughts and lives of countless individuals.
There is something noble about writing. I am still in great amazement that I can sit at Starbucks with a tall americano and my PowerBook, mash out some ideas and then publish them to the world wide web.
As I heard Randy say yesterday, thanks to ebay the price of sheep has gone up 5 clams. (Don’t ask.) The point is: Thanks to the internet the world has gotten very small. The role of journalism has taken on a completely different role. Anyone that wants can become an international journalist with their words being archived by Google for years to come.
But with the rise of self-professed writers giving their thoughts and opinions on everything from armageddon to the dietary habits of their cat, greater is the need for valiant, noble voices to shine forth and maintain the dignity of written words and the power of human thought.
I surely think it would be a missed opportunity if I never wrote a book. In fact, I’ve really been feeling an itch along those lines lately. The problem is that I have no idea what I would write about. Time Management? Probably not. A commentary? That may be cool.
For years I entertained the idea of writing a book called “The 2911 Factor”. It would be based on Jeremiah 29:11, that God has thoughts and plans to prosper us. It would be a book about discovering and walking in our destiny.
I was talking to Anna about this last night and she said I ought to wait until I can’t not write a book. That seems like a good idea. But how far away is that? Do I really want to wait another 5 or 10 years until I have something to say enough to break it up by chapters instead of h3 tags? That seems like an awful long time. But on the other hand, who am I to try and crank something out simply because I feel an itch to write? That surely seems like a waste of perfectly good trees.
I’m not trying to discount the 535 posts I’ve written for The Fight Spot. In the two years since I began publishing this site I have finally come to realize that I am a writer. All these little blurbs, articles and asides have helped me realize how much I love words and language. I will continue to write and publish for as long as I have something to say. But I also know that writing short pieces for the internets is not all I plan to do.
Dennis said:
Hey Shawn - I need some Starbucks time myself. I still have two gift cards in my wallet from last year.
I agree with you on writing. Small or large scale it is still writing. Whether the writing is making an impact to others or just to you for that matter it is definitely worth it.
We all just need to keep on going and spreading the Good News!
Posted on November 29, 2007 at 12:08 pm
randy bohlender said:
Shawn, I’ve had the same discussions and thoughts. One thing I wrestle with is the reality that good blogging does not immediately equate with good book writing. The disciplines are far more different than the average person would think…they’re not mutually exclusive, but they’re certainly not the same task. I know bloggers who should only blog, and bloggers who should quit and write a book.
And by the way, the going rate on ebay for a Botswanian sheep was 6 clams. If you’re going to lurk in my class, please take better notes!
Posted on November 29, 2007 at 12:10 pm
{Shawn} said:
@ Dennis: What frightens me is those who don’t realize their writing has an impact and a consequence. They just put words onto a screen and let ‘em rip. That’s a scary thought.
@ Randy: Your class was too much for me. I couldn’t keep track of the clams to the ketchup to the Star Wars figurines… My head was spinning. Why do you think I only come for the last 10 minutes?
Posted on November 29, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Ryan said:
Shawn,
I agree with Randy - bloggers can’t always write good books. But, what about “outliners”? Ever since I saw how Mike “outlined” his notes for his messages, I have been doing the same for mine.
It seems like Mike could just sit down with his sermon outlines for, say, his Life of David series and just begin writing from each outline towards a book. This is because books must take you on a progressive journey somewhere, strategically planned out and concisely thought through.
I wonder how many people outline their blog thoughts before they type them up. It seems most bloggers are just quick witted typists or stream of consciousness “whatever is coming to me” writers. This may not make for the best books.
On the other hand, Seth Godin has written several popular books. Small as they are, they are almost blog-o-books.
Posted on November 30, 2007 at 11:00 am
randy bohlender said:
It goes both ways. Long form writers sometimes are the worst bloggers. Blogging is more related to the zinger than the elaborated point.
Blogging is to books what twitter is to blogging.
Stink. I should have blogged that.
Posted on November 30, 2007 at 11:04 am
Evan Olsen said:
I think when you write a book it will be great. I would definitely read it (you know, as long as the cover looks sweet)
I think if you really know about the topic you want to write about, and you feel that God is giving you grace, that you should write as much as you can.
Posted on November 30, 2007 at 1:09 pm
{Shawn} said:
@ Ryan: I hardly ever map out my posts. But usually I try to have an idea in my mind of where I want to go with it.
And you’re right about outlines and books. In fact, that is how Mike writes his books.
@ Randy: You should have twittered that.
Posted on December 1, 2007 at 3:50 am
Jerry James said:
So the idea is to write something brilliant about what I think and what I believe in order to help others decide what they think and believe through agreement or disagreement with what I write about what I think and believe.
Hmmmmmm
Posted on December 1, 2007 at 3:42 pm
david said:
Dude, Randy…I’m taking each of your last two comments way too personally.
Well, not really, but it’s fun to pretend I did.
Serious question though, that has probably been explored in depth elsewhere - when it comes to blogging and writing, is it a matter of form, content, or style?
Of course the answer is, “yes!” But which aspects to what degree? You would probably rank them in that order, but I would think that content is king and style establishes form. Of course, I’ve taken much heat for the length of my posts…but you know how it goes: you can take the dog out of the fight, but you can’t take old tricks out of the dog. Or something.
Posted on December 3, 2007 at 3:52 am
randy bohlender said:
David - once again, you irk me, and then convince me you’re right. How do you DO that!?!
I concede. While I obviously value content, I treat it as coupled to form rather than arching over it. As I approach it, the form is nearly as intrinsic as it would be to poetry - no excuse for a lack of content, but certainly a reality to be reckoned with before mashing the PUBLISH button.
Of course, you have been telling me that I think of it this way for, oh, about a year. It’s just that you took so cottin’ pickin’ long to say it that I got bored.
ha!
Posted on December 3, 2007 at 8:52 am
{Shawn} said:
@ Randy & Dave: Ditto.
Content is most certainly king. But like Randy says, I don’t think you can lessen the importance of style and form.
Bad style can do lots of harm to good content, while good style can make poor content seem less like it really is: watered down gravy. So good content with good style is the obvious winner.
I think it’s all the more important with blogging. When you read a book you expect to get a pleasant blend of the content, style and form. But when reading a weblog you often get randomonium, vanilla words. Thus making good content and style all the more necessary to establish your voice as above the norm within an over-saturated, under-paid, free-from-accountability market.
Posted on December 4, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Ryan said:
@ Everyone:
Truly - content, style, and form are all important. An important observation though, I believe, is that each blogger must “be themselves” and have a unique creative flow that genuinely comes from who they are. People who try to copy another’s form or style generally dud out.
Take for example, Randy’s ingenious title for his new post “I had no ID. uh.” After reading the blog, my mind began clicking with the many ways his title subtly captures not only the content but the emotion of what happened to him. As usual, Randy is concisely hilarious, and poignantly creative.
That being said, I wouldn’t want Dave to copy Randy, and he doesn’t. He still does funny (ex. danielisms) but I read (and re-read!)Dave’s blog to be fed with deep thoughts on the scriptures. He doesn’t post as often as Randy, but he can’t in order to keep his personalized style true to form.
They are both very appreciated for finding the way to express themselves that is unique, but yet both could be called good with regards to content, form, and style.
My three cents anyways.
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Leroy said:
Well stated, Shawn–I too feel a calling to write. Your work here, along with those at The Daily Scribe, inspire me to pursue the written word with passion. Thank God for you all!
Posted on December 13, 2007 at 10:39 am