Write of Passage Weekly

Hey writers,

Welcome back to Write of Passage Weekly. Last week, you learned how the accumulation of small but powerful steps can make great writing. This week, see how conversations can ignite your creativity and defeat writer’s block.

Start by Talking

When you think of the act of writing, you might imagine Henry David Thoreau hunkered down in his cabin at Walden Pond, drafting pages upon pages in quiet solitude. But that isn't the only way to write. It's not even the best way to write. Instead you can write from conversation.

Conversation stirs up new ideas, clarifies your thinking, dissolves writer’s block, and helps you learn what resonates. Conversation can be a catalyst for each stage of the writing process.

For starters, conversations are a rich source of inspiration. Like a prism refracting a single ray of light into a rainbow, dialogues let you see your bright ideas from myriad perspectives. A simple conversation can reveal something you never would have been able to see on your own — this includes conflicts and disagreements, which are very useful in the ideation stage.

But the benefits of conversation don't stop there. Once you have the spark of an idea, you need to refine it until it's clear. You're like a comedian testing new jokes at a small club. We naturally compress ideas when we speak; talking through an idea forces you to be simple and clear, to get to the point. It’s harder when we write. So, before you try to craft the perfect opening paragraph, riff on your idea with your friends, refining it through conversation. 

Once you have a clear and compelling idea, you still might find yourself stuck with writer’s block. Worry not. Like tapping into a natural spring, conversation can help your words start to flow. At this stage, instead of talking through your idea, talk around it. Figure out all the places it could lead you. Conversation can deliver epiphanies and serendipitous connections between seemingly disparate ideas — the kinds of things you don't think of when you're sitting alone at your desk.

Writing in isolation can sometimes become an echo chamber, where you find yourself repeating the same words over and over and over again. Sharing drafts and half-baked ideas with others invites constructive criticism that leads to improvements and gives you direction. Let others tell you what works and what doesn’t. Don’t waste time trying to bite your own teeth.

Solitude has its role in writing, but conversation can be a catalyst for your process. In between bursts of working alone, seek out feedback and the kind of clarity that only conversations can provide. If you're stuck, start by talking.

How I Write Podcast

Why Founders Should Write | Jason Fried

So many people think that business writing is tight-fisted and intense. But the opposite is true. For example, Jason is:

• The founder of Basecamp, one of the most successful software companies in the world
• A four-time published author
• A writer who’s penned hundreds of articles.

But he writes from a place of pure intuition. He’s relaxed. He’s effortless. He finds his flow and rides it like a Santa Cruz swell. And if he can’t find his flow? Simple. He moves on. 

“What’s the point of struggling with writing?” he says. “I write when I have something to say.” 

In this episode, you’ll learn how to make writing easier. Jason reveals his best advice for leaning into your intuition and following what feels natural. He does this by breaking down technique: storytelling, structure, and word choice. Ultimately, he shows you how to write like yourself. 

If you’re ready to stop forcing your writing and start finding your flow, this episode is for you. 

Listen Now: YouTube | Spotify | Apple

Thank you for reading Write of Passage Weekly. This week, let conversations be a catalyst for your creativity and thinking.

Happy writing,

The Write of Passage Team