Write of Passage Weekly

Hello writers,

Welcome back to Write of Passage Weekly, where we help you unleash the transformative power of writing online.

Last week, you learned that while writing may not solve all your problems, it is how you can live forever. This week, we’re talking about how narratives help us understand the world.

Writing Sprints

Maybe you’re ready to start writing online but you can’t seem to get words on the page or hit that “Publish” button. If you’re looking for a deadline and accountability, join us for the next Writing Sprint, on November 3. You’ll write, edit, and publish an article in one day.

The Magic of Storytelling

The psyche needs stories like the body needs blood.

While science and mathematics teach us about what there is in the world, they don’t teach us about why it matters. We need stories for that. We need stories to understand each other, and most importantly, to understand ourselves. 

At dinner, you tell your family about how our day went. On Monday mornings, you recount your weekend to your co-workers. On first dates and job interviews, you weave elaborate narratives about your personal history. You refer to myths, folklore, and movie characters to explain how you feel or what you’re facing to your friends. And you form deep bonds with the heroes from childhood stories, like Tom Sawyer, Harry Potter, or The Lorax. 

Stories are at the very core of our psyche. But not only that — stories also connect us and remind us that we’re not alone in this world. Whatever you experience, someone has already been there, done that, and felt the exact same way as you. 

This is the magic of storytelling: it creates emotional bonds between people who are thousands of miles away, or separated by centuries in time. You can feel the emotions of dead poets, relate to the plight of mythical heroes, or learn from someone who lives on a different continent.

Science may teach us about what there is, but it is only through stories that we learn how to interact with what there is. The art of living is expressed in narratives, not in numbers.

How I Write Podcast

Marc Andreessen: It's Time to Write

Marc Andreessen deserves a place on the Mount Rushmore of Silicon Valley. His presence in the tech space is unprecedented, and he's one of the most prolific investors. The world of online writing is in debt to him.

He co-founded Netscape, where he created the first popular web browser. He invented the tweetstorm, and has helped form the Internet. He coined the idea “software is eating the world,” which has defined humanity's evolution over the last decade.

Marc isn’t just a mad-man creator. He’s a passionate historian and cultural critic too. Name the topic. Marc has an opinion.

Listen Now: YouTube | Spotify | Apple

From Our Alumni

Transparent Tuesdays

In the latest issue of her newsletter, Charlie tells the story of moving to New York City at 22 to become an actor, and why she only lasted nine months.

Thank you for reading Write of Passage Weekly. We’ll be back next week with more ways to make the Internet work for you.

Happy writing,

The Write of Passage Team