The Art of Writing

Thank-You Mrs. Baine

Every Friday during my junior year of high school, Mrs. Baine, my A.P. English Language & Composition teacher, would have each student write a 500-word essay within the 50-minute class. I'm realizing now that this exercise, which I largely dreaded, is nearly identical to what I am doing with this collection of essays. Each piece takes anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours, with many coming in around 30 to 45 minutes. They're written in a train-of-thought style, and Mrs. Baine would likely still critique them, as she kindly did back then. Looking back, I am extremely grateful to have had a teacher who so adamantly required her students to write. While I don't recall a single essay prompt from that class, I do remember the satisfaction of completing a well-written, organized essay that delivered a powerful message.Distilling thoughts into words is very different from speaking. When writing, you have the luxury of time to precisely choose words, order, punctuation, and style that form a complete piece. Writing something to someone often spares them from inaccuracies or inefficiencies that may arise in speech. A succinct email can save what would have otherwise been a 15-minute conversation. Writing allows for the complete transfer of thought, as it cannot be interrupted like spoken sentences can. Consistent writing leads to more articulate thoughts and efficient conversation.Journaling is an excellent form of writing to begin with. A simple, five-minute morning exercise consisting of gratitude and daily goals is a great starting point. Journaling can also help persevere through difficult times by processing and regulating emotions. It's a great way to remember your life, and your future self will be immensely grateful for those few daily minutes.I enjoy writing because the addressable audience is vast. A beautiful aspect of writing is that we each interpret pieces in slightly different ways, due to factors like reading experience, vocabulary breadth, and topic engagement. I have always admired those who speak and write precisely, appreciating the time and energy they likely took to develop those skills. Through practicing and editing these essays, I hope to master the quill and sharpen my silver tongue. I hope that you have enjoyed reading these essays, and I encourage you to explore what writing can do for you.