by Peg Lewis

Created on: July 21, 2008

No doubt great writers employ both effort and insight in their writing, but which is more important?

On the one hand, insight is critical. Insight suggests an understanding previously out of reach by the reader, so that the reader feels the time he or she invests in the written material to be worthwhile, worth his time, worthy of his attention. The reader learns something, gains some valuable understanding, is enlightened.

On the other hand, ideas are cheap. We all have them every day. Insights may flash through our minds at the speed of light, never to visit again. It takes significant effort to capture those thoughts and express them on paper so they will endure and cause enlightenment in whoever reads them.

Even in the presence of profound discoveries, words don't always flow easily. Many a quill has hovered over the parchment as the would-be author struggles to commit to just one word. The act of writing can be painful, a struggle, and ultimately a failure. The ideas are there, but they will not commit themselves to mortality, they will not allow embodiment in words.

Hemingway wrote his 60 perfect words a day, and declared himself done with his chore and ready for a more relaxing endeavor.

Dickens wrote his 6000 words a day, was never done, and could have used some heavy editing.

But how many insights did either contain?

Fluency can, often does, mean breeziness. Breezy writing is the bane of fluent writers, those who find the words pouring out easily - and meaninglessly. How insightful can high-volume writing be?

The fact is that it CAN be insightful. Someone who is inspired may sit down and write 'from the heart' in a burst of passion or profundity. It is a rare treat to be the deliverer of such a message - the act of writing in this state of inspiration is compelling, exciting, moving, a joy. And the result is usually insightful for both reader and writer.

More commonly, though, writing is just plain hard work. It can be like squeezing toothpaste out of a tube: a narrow opening for a huge reservoir. Or it can be like a ball of yarn: a question of where to grab hold and begin. Often it is like a pot of honey: a mass of goo without substance.

Getting those ideas on paper may have its moments of joy and fluency, but hard work and solid effort are what are needed to get the job done.

So squeeze, pull, trickle, drip, spew, or blow like the wind - do what it takes to get that ink on the parchment and share those insights!

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