writing is more than words
Writing

5 Reasons to Show You Why Writing is More Than Words

When we think about writing as a process, we usually think of putting words on paper, on a computer or any other device one after the other aiming to create sentences that make sense. Well, of course I have no objection to that. The physical act where writing actually takes place is exactly that. So, what do I mean when I say that writing is more than words?

Words and a good use of them are necessary elements of writing. Thus, having a rich vocabulary or simply having the knowledge of making a good use of each word is important. However, in my mind, writing is also about lots of other things.

Allow me to explain myself by listing what are the 5 reasons ‌writing is more than words.

Read also: Introduction to Creative Writing – Benefits of Writing?

5 Reasons ‌Writing is More Than Words

1. Writing is More than Words Because it is Also About Thinking

For most writing products, thinking before you write about what you are going to write is a process you cannot ignore. We need to think about what we are going to write about, how we are going to write it, and what we want to accomplish through our writing. 

Writing provides you also the chance to influence your readers. By sharing your ideas through writing, you can change the way your readers think about the world, life, and themselves. Readers can understand the difference that new ideas and ways of thinking can bring into their lives.

writing is more than words - About thinking

Even if sometimes ideas are in contradiction with what they thought until that point, once you can talk to something inside them and get your message through, they will be in it.

So, when I say that writing is about thinking, this involves two different things. The thinking process before, during, and after writing and what can come out of the final written product in terms of how it can affect its readers and the way they think. 

“Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That’s why it’s so hard.”

David McCullough

Read also: Tips That Will Help You Get a Good Writing Flow

2. Writing is More than Words Because it is Also About Discipline

To write until you complete a writing project is not an easy process. You may ask whoever tries to finish a novel. Writing is about convincing yourself to sit and write even if you don’t feel like it. Even if you have no inspiration or the courage to do so.

Writing is a long-term commitment and to pull it through, you must have the discipline to commit yourself to it day after day until you complete something meaningful. And even then, it does not mean that anything ends. Not at all. You just write and keep on hoping that someone will get interested in it and read it. But it might never happen and yet you must continue writing as if everyone expects you to create a new masterpiece. 

writing is more than words - discipline

To write, you must accept failure and yet still have the discipline and guts to carry on.

“The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.”

Lee Iacocca

Read also: How Does Freewriting Help to Writer’s Block

3. Writing is About Impacting The World

Good writing can affect the world. In fact, writing can change the world. Any form of writing. Think about it. Throughout human history, lots of books were marked as heretics. The Nazis would burn books because they were afraid of their power.

Think about Marx and the philosophy of Communism. You may also think about all the science fiction books and the inventions that came out due to them. Think of George Orwell and 1984. How many similarities can you identify with the world now?

Impact the world through writing

To name a few of the means by which writing impacts this world, I would say through the ideas shared, persuasion, and imagination.

“The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.”

Albert Camus

Read also: 12 Useful Tips to Empower Your Writing Skills

4. Writing is About Understanding

When I talk about understanding, I mean understanding yourself, your emotions, and your needs. But not only, writing is also about understanding other people, their feelings, and reactions. It is even about understanding the world a little more.

Through writing, you process everything differently. When writing, you can constantly ask yourself why. While trying to provide answers to these questions, you may have a better understanding of everything.

“As a writer, you should not judge, you should understand.”

Ernest Hemingway

5. Writing is About Helping Thoughts Become Clearer

Apart from understanding, sometimes when you have many things in your mind, you get frustrated. You feel like there is a war taking place inside your head. Writing can help in clearing out your thoughts by putting them in some order and showing you the way out of frustration. 

Even the physical act of giving permission to your thoughts to exist somewhere else than just inside your head can lift a weight off your shoulders. Those thoughts stop dancing around. They get shaped and transformed into something you can deal with.

Having a clear thought can definitely lead to a more stress-free version of yourself.

“Words are a lens to focus one’s mind.”

Ayn Rand

Read also: 6 Most Important Steps to Self Editing Your Blog Posts

Final thoughts on Why Writing is More Than Words

To sum up, words are the basic elements of writing. However, writing is all about thinking. About making you as a writer think and about making your readers think too. Writing is also about teaching you discipline and commitment.

Written products have affected this world and even were the starting points of revolutions.

Through writing, you understand yourself, others, and the world better. Writing can finally help you win the war of thoughts inside your mind.

“A word after a word after a word is power.”

Margaret Atwood

“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”

Anne Frank

Read also: 8 Practical Ideas on How to Effectively Develop a Writing Schedule

These are just some ‌reasons ‌that make me believe that writing is more than words.

What do you think? What other reasons can you think that make writing be more than words?

I would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

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67 thoughts on “5 Reasons to Show You Why Writing is More Than Words”

  1. Totally agree with all of these points. For me, writing is also about creating connections between people. As a blogger, I love engaging with readers through thoughtful comments. I think the same can be said for any form of writing. It’s about the conversation it inspires.

    1. I can’t agree more with you Michelle. Definitely writing is about the conversation it inspires between the readers and not only. There is always the conversation between the writer and the reader. And it stands to all forms of writing. Maybe when I update tgis post I will make an additional with your point and mention of you of course 🙂 thank you for this comment!

  2. Excellent post! I totally agree. I would like to add another thing to the list. As I try to help others in society with my writing, I find that in sharing and teaching others, I learn myself as well.

    1. I definitely agree with you. The same standa for me also. While doing my research before writing each post I always learn new things. Thank you for reading and commenting!

  3. Awesome points. & I agree writing is all of this and more. I also love that quote by Anne Frank about shaking off all worries when you write — because that is how it feels. Writing is like reading a book in that you can get lost in your own world.. only it is a world of your own making & you are the creator

  4. One of our closest friends once told us that people should not write just to say something, but rather because they have SOMETHING TO SAY. We agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly, and this post reminded us about why we write: to impact the world in a beneficial way, to push through all the bullshit out there. Thank you for sharing this great post!

    1. Thank you so much! I wrote this post because I also wanted to remind myself the reasons why I write and I am glad the outcome had the same effect on you also 🙂

  5. This is a really lovely post! I definitely agree that a lot of different types of thought going into writing, and I always find it invaluable for clearing my mind – particularly calming myself down when I’m stressed. Thank you so much for sharing!

  6. This is such a great post! All your points are totally true! For me writing is more than words because that is my way to express myself. I am not really good in conversation with people, but putting my thoughts into words is something I have always been good at! That is why enjoy being a blogger!

  7. You’re spot on the aspects and impact of writing. The process of putting together thoughts into words is what writers live for. Writing discipline is something I struggle with. This is a nice article.

  8. Totally agree, writing gives you clarity, it’s powerful and impactful. The process of unending writing makes it tedious but writing must continue. Thanks for sharing. Love your blog

  9. What a truly beautiful and profound way to look at writing! I absolutely loved reading this. I actually feel very similarly when it comes to reading as well – and of course, those two things go hand-in-hand! It was such a pleasure to read this and learn how you view writing and how it can really impact the rest of the world in so many ways.

  10. Yes, yes, yes, and YES! I love this list, as it so wonderfully shares several of the reasons why I write. I write to inform, I write to awaken, and I write to empower. 🙂

  11. Thanks for posting! I love the idea of writing as a discipline and thought organizer. I belive writing in any form consistently whether it’s a blog, creative, or personal (journal), you develop a discipline and clarity of language.

  12. Totally agree with a lot of this, but especially that writing helps understanding.a lot of my writing – particularly my poetry – helps me make sense of things that have burdened me for far too long.
    Great read. Thanks for sharing

  13. SO TRUE that writing is about discipline. It’s easy to write when you feel inspired, but sometimes you have to force yourself to do the work.

  14. What a wonderful post. Writing is definitely so much more than words. I love that you’ve included impacting the world, discipline, and understanding. I also loved the quotes that you’ve shared. 🙂

  15. I truly think discipline is one of the biggest differences between words and writing. Anyone can put words on a paper, only someone with dedication can turn it into writing!

  16. This was a great article to read. Believe it or not, most of my writing takes place while I’m walking or taking a shower. Later, those thoughts are converted into the words. But if I didn’t have that mental writing, I probably wouldn’t write anything.

    Paul Graham, an essayist who writes about programming and writing, talks about how to understand something, you need to write. Because when you begin to write, you understand that you thought that you understood something completely, but in reality, your understanding is shallow.

    I’m blind, so I write about a lot of blind related things. I often think to myself, «Who will read it?» But when people comment about how they are glad to learn these things, it often gives me a warm feeling.

    1. This was definitely an interesting insight. I have noticed myself that when I am stuck with some of my writing, taking time of my writing by thinking how I could proceed is also another form of writing. Thank you for this comment 😊

  17. This is a great blog post. You have shared some great impacts that writing can have. Thank you for sharing your post.

    Lauren x

  18. Thanks for sharing, any form of writing can be a form of therapy and that why we need to stop putting pressure on ourselves to do more or plan more.

    1. I definitely agree with you! No matter what I write I try to take my time and enjoy the process. It is therapeutic indeed. Thank you for commenting!

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