Writing Well and Writing How

I’ve been told I write well.

College professors complimented my writing style when grading my assignments. Rarely do I write a bulletin article that someone doesn’t tell me “good job,” or “I liked that one.” Amanda probably praises my writing ability and style more than any single strength of mine. I’ve even had a childhood friend praise my writing style, though he disagrees with much of what I’ve written.

I wouldn’t dare suggest that praise is proof that I’m a good writer. But I do think I’ve learned throughout the years how to communicate in a clear, smooth, and enjoyable style. On that level, my on-again/off-again blogging habits are irresponsible stewardship of an ability with which the Lord has blessed me.

But this alleged “writing well” also provides a different dimension in the world of blogging. I know a lot of good writers who write blogs that stink. There are very few blogs–including popular ones–that I actually enjoy.

The blogs I enjoy most communicate a specific purpose, but are not predictable and formulaic. I can think of at least one such blog by someone I don’t consider a great writer. But he (or she) is a fantastic blogger.

So it’s possible part of my struggle with maintaining consistency at blogging (to a lesser degree than this) is that I’ve never approached this space with a sense of purpose.

I still don’t know what my exact purpose for blogging should be. I know a few things I don’t want it to be. And I have some ideas about what I might like for it to be.

Above all, I want to be helpful.

I have no desire to get another “Thanks for that post,” “great job,” or “someone needed to say this” about posts here. But my prayer is that from time-to-time, someone does something based on what they read here and it influences the kingdom, the community, or the world for good.

Our greatest struggles often aren’t determining what to do. But a lot of us struggle with figuring out how. So I want to write not to write well, but to write how. Writing well easily becomes about me; but I want to write how so that it’s about you. And about that someone you can help.

Again, I thank you for reading. Let’s commit to helping one another. It is difficult to purposefully and consistently be helpful. But we all need it.

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