Writing badly can lead to surprising discoveries from "summary" of The Art of Writing Badly by Richard Chandler Borden
When we set out to write, our natural inclination is often to strive for perfection. We want our words to flow smoothly, our ideas to be well-developed, and our grammar to be impeccable. However, in our quest for perfection, we may be missing out on an important aspect of the writing process - the element of surprise.
By allowing ourselves to write badly, we open up a space for unexpected discoveries to emerge. When we give ourselves permission to make mistakes, to write clumsily or awkwardly, we are freeing ourselves from the constraints of perfectionism. In doing so, we create room for creativity and spontaneity to flourish.
Writing badly can lead us down paths we never would have explored otherwise. It can push us to think outside the box, to take risks, to experiment with new styles and techniques. In the process of writing badly, we may stumble upon unique insights, uncover hidden truths, or stumble upon unexpected connections.
The act of writing badly is not about producing subpar work; rather, it is about embracing the messy, chaotic, unpredictable nature of the creative process. It is about letting go of our preconceived notions of what good writing should look like and allowing ourselves to be surprised by what emerges.
In the words of Richard Chandler Borden, "To write badly is to write bravely, to write boldly, to write with a sense of daring and adventure." When we approach writing with a spirit of openness and curiosity, we may be surprised by what we discover along the way. So, let go of your fear of imperfection, embrace the messiness of the writing process, and see where it takes you. Who knows what surprising discoveries await?
