by Elizabeth M Young

Created on: November 24, 2009

Insight is an intangible gift. Effort is a more definable, and tangible transaction. It is easy to attribute the more difficult achievement, insight, to greatness in anything, especially writing. But in order to gain great insight, great effort must be made. Insight is the serendipitous event where enlightenment comes from having the prepared and open mind, and it takes a lot of examination, learning, taking in of information and practice to have such a mind.

The great writer may have begun to write later in life, after having been exposed to unusual or grand events in life and in the world, or after the disturbing and arduous process of interviewing those who have done the same. It follows then, that the writer would give the impression of having some unusual, unattainable gift of spark of brilliance, when he or she actually has a significant lifetime of incredible processes.

The great writer may be younger and blessed with a stellar education, unusual experiences in life, or unusual skills or abilities in observing and processing what is going on around him or her. The great young writer may have developed some insights before the writing began, or may develop insight as the writing is re-read, edited and developed.

Insight comes from many processes, including the intuitive process. But insight can come from learning how to develop the intuitive process into a more reliable set of cognitive skills. Also, insight can come from non intuitive processes, such as studying a situation, being closely involved enough to develop deep understandings, clearly identifiable feelings, and far more well developed perceptions than someone who has not had the experience.

A reader who did not directly witness events or complete the detailed study is grateful for the great writing which grabs the heart and mind with clarity and brilliance. But intuitive processes are far easier to use in attributing impossibility to work that anyone and everyone has the native ability and wit to accomplish, given the proper cognitive tools, experience and training.

But the bottom line is that any writer relies on writing ability, storytelling ability, and do it yourself editing abilities to put the whole work of art together and in a form that has a good organization, use of language and flow. In that process, insight happens and the work is re-worked in order to incorporate the new conceptual frameworks, epiphanies, and intellectual breakthroughs that come from the process of translating thoughts and memories into words, music, or any form or symbolic expression.

Doing the art changes the artist, and the changed artist improves the art.

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