On Writing

The funny thing about writing is there is not much about it that is funny. It is time consuming, labor intensive, contrary and uncooperative. It moves at its own pace and is impervious to compromise, promises or even bribes. To top that off, it is insensitive to the one who makes writing what it is - the writer. Regardless of how much time and effort a writer may devote to it, writing shows no loyalty to that one who has taken pen in hand. Instead, the focus of writing is on the ones who validate its existence - readers. Once the writer has done their part, then writing moves on and does not look back.


This is in no way to disparage writing. As the same time, its indifference to the ones who make it possible does seem rather harsh. After all, in mankind's never-ending effort to be gain notice, writing was created as a way of to share information, confirm existence and exchange thought. Writing became one way - an important way - to  do that. There are theories as to about when this started and by what culture, but no one knows for sure. The fact is writing as a vital form of communication in the form of drawings, scratches and eventually letters was introduced and almost immediately became a fixture in the lives of all humans everywhere.


Yes, writing owes a major debt to writers. But the truth is writers owe it a debt of comparable size as well. Without writing, the history of mankind would be incomplete. Further, its present and future ponderings would be, at best, equally shallow. Writing as served mankind well. No doubt, this is why writing remains ever-present as a way for men and women to continue connecting. While one might be tempted to argue that writing is not as strong now as it used to be, the case that it not needed as much can and will never be made. Mankind needs it as much as it needs mankind. Writing is an indispensable communication tool.