Writers Write About Things Important To Them

  

Writers choose to write about those matters that possess meaning for them. They write about things that deliver excitement, enrich them or inspire them. Through their writing, readers gain insight to what the author found meaningful and the reason why that matter is important to write about. 

    By choosing to write about topics and ideas that have personal connections, the author's task is made easier. The task of engaging the reader also becomes easier. 

    When writers choose to write about familiar things and things critical to them, they tend to include specific detail and vivid imagery to assist the reader to understand the true significance of the writing. This increased care frequently leads to the writing being elevated well above the ordinary.

    Being aware of this critical consideration is invaluable to inexperienced writers. If they choose topics with which they have a strong connection, then they will find it easier to create pieces of writing aligned to the needs of readers. 

    Encourage young writers to read a broad selection of written pieces -news and magazine articles, poems, stories and non-fiction pieces. Have them question the author's intention. Based on what they have read, what do they think was important for the writer based on the writing piece.

    Invest time in identifying the  broad writing territories of student writers. Share your own. Identify some broad headings such as People, Places, Things and Events. Consider also hobbies, collectables, animals, pets, books, movies, sports, games, arts & music, holidays, and food.

    Conduct an investigation into specific writing pieces student writers have produced. Encourage reflections on why they chose to write about that specific topic or ideas and how  writing about it made them feel. Help the writer identify why they care about that piece of writing

    I quite consciously advise young writers- don't write about things that hold no interest for you; things you don't care about. Write about those things close to your heart; things that help you feel connected. You are not writing to please your teacher, either. You are writing because you feel a need to say something. 

    Furthermore, you are writing because it is important to capture a specific moment, memory, thought or idea. You may want others to  understand and care about an issue in the same way you care. 

    We have many motivating drives for our writing. It remains important to be able to readily identify what is driving our personal need to write something down. It helps to narrow the gap between intention and action.

Alan j Wright.



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