Write Day?
Did you know writing has a national day? Just recently I learned that November 15 was National I Love To Write Day. (How did I not know this?) It started 21 years ago, created by non-fiction and self-help Delaware-based author John Riddle. His goal was to get both children and adults to write.
Write What?
“But I don’t want to be an author and write books, Betty.”
No problem. What you write doesn’t matter. Maybe you have a thank you or a birthday greeting card you need to send. Do more than sign your name. Write a short personal note. Or maybe you’d like to write a poem? Personally, I like poetry that rhymes—who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss?—but it doesn’t have to rhyme. You can write almost anything—even if it doesn’t make sense—and call it poetry.
Do you keep a diary or journal? If so, you’re already writing. Congratulations! What about trying your hand at writing a short story? You don’t have to make it up, just tell a story about something that happened to you or someone you know. You don’t even have to record it exactly as it happened—use your imagination and tweak it. Or pretend you’re a journalist and write an article about something that recently happened.
Write Idea?
With Thanksgiving only a few days away, why not write about those things for which you are thankful? You can do it in list form. Then again, feel free to expound on specific items on your list. Interview relatives and friends this Thanksgiving, especially older ones, documenting their stories, thoughts, recipes, etc. for future generations. Or maybe write a paragraph or short story about your favorite Thanksgiving food—success or flop; Thanksgiving travel and/or meal location; or most memorable—good or bad—Thanksgiving in general.
To Write . . . Or Not?
It doesn’t matter whether you use a pen and paper or a computer. Likewise, it doesn’t matter what you write or how skilled you are in writing it. Perfect grammar and correct spelling are not required. The point is simply to write.
Dr. Seuss once said: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
My version goes like this: “You have ways to write. You have nothing to lose. Write down your thoughts or anything you choose.” (Alternate Version: “You have ways to write. You have thoughts in your head. Write something down before you are dead.”)
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Did You Know…
- Writing is an essential communication skill.
- Journaling is good for both mental and physical health. Alleviate symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression, while improving self-confidence and staying motivated, positive, and focused on the future by keeping a journal. Journaling also improves sleep, I.Q., and wound recovery, while also helping promote a stronger immune system.
- Writing helps you think through problems, improve your social skills, and organize your thoughts.
- Goals are more likely to be achieved when they’re written down.
- Creative writing engages both sides of the brain.
- The usage of electronic diaries and planners continues to increase, but paper diaries and journals are still very popular.
- Dr. Seuss wrote Green Eggs and Ham because his publisher bet him $50 he couldn’t write a book using only 50 words or less.