Writing

I don't think I've ever really thought about this before, but writing is hard. I guess as an English student I'm spoiled with good writing most of the time, so I don't really realize how difficult it is to make words sound anything like reality.

However, a few examples of mediocre writing have sprung up before me in the last few days (not the least of which is my own attempt at a sonnet), so now I've got some points of comparison. And it's pretty obvious. Good writing pulls you in, makes you interested, doesn't make you think "That verb's in the wrong place" or "that rhyme is awkward" or "I'm not sure what she's saying here".

And the sad thing is, I don't think I'm that good a writer. I realized a few years back that most of my friends are artistically talented in some way. But I can't draw, I can carry a tune but I'm no bard, and I've never written anything but a few juvenile Mary Sue stories in my youth. I'm surrounded by doodlers, painters, writers, potters, musicians, and actors. For a while I consoled myself with the idea that at least I could write -- but I can't, really. I can write essays, but just 'cause I have to, and I can write speeches, but that's more to do with the fact that I can talk well, not that I'm the next Martin Luther King Jr. or anything.

Funny thing is, it's this blog that's made me realize most that I'm not a writer. I thought I would have profound things to say, but mostly I just end up talking about myself. It's not particularly funny, or very interesting, or very inspiring. It's just the random thoughts of a not-so-unique university student. I mean, what I say means something to me at the time, but when I read back over my posts, they're not exactly diamonds in the rough.

And now, in true, uncreative form, I don't even know how to end this post. I've tried a couple of things, but everything sounds so maudlin ("Poor wee me...") that it's just not worth the space.