What I learned about writing

What I learned about writing is that writing happens even before you write it. It happens at the back of your head. The moment you engage with a problem, an issue, a feedback received, your mind starts working subconsciously thinking about how to solve it and deal with it.

I learned that your first thoughts and instincts may not be the best ones. By all means you can draw them out or write them down, but don't take your first drafts as final. Give yourself time to look at them again. Again, give your mind time to work on it. Expect that it is not the best and it will change and improve as you read more, think more, and sit upon it.

I learned that writing takes time and commitment. But what happens after you engage with an issue or problem is straightforward, you begin to try to solve it. Your solution may not be the best at each moment you come to the problem but if you keep working on it, it will be a better and better fit. So give it time and don't give up so easily. And don't procrastinate. Begin the process as soon as you can.

I also learn not to be afraid of feedback. Receive it graciously and consider it carefully and based on the time and resources you have, make the best of it.

And always take ownership of your work. If writing something is going to make you detach yourself from that piece of work because it no longer sounds like what you think inside, then maybe consider sticking with what you truly believe. Take ownership of your work. Except of course you have been engaged to write somebody else's work and then in that situation what matters is that person's voice.