The noise of writers

An acquaintance has a blog, like millions of people. Recently he sought recommendations for subjects, stating he preferred something he could "rip on." For him, it's a forum to ridicule and bitch.

Another acquaintance asked me to review her blog sometimes and comment. She stated she was looking to improve as a writer. She'd post about other people's writings or point out world events. When I asked if she ever considered revealing something about herself and her personal thoughts in the blog, she posted a sidebar hidden in a longer note that she intended the blog to be impersonal.

Many, many people want to be a writer. The previous incidents made me ponder what exactly that means. It probably made me judgemental. But I couldn't shake the question. When I used to coach journalists day to day, I stated that anyone could teach a monkey to write a story. It's really almost always a formula. I felt much differently about the innate talent it took to get information from people and to process that information, but presentation was almost plugging in a template.

It's the same in presenting most information. People can learn to arrange words in an easily digestible order, built sentences so the general populace can capture their meaning and construct a presentation that leaves a reader with the proper information. (Although it seems our society is less and less willing to do these things these days).

That is what most people who try to express themselves do. They utilize a skill. They implement an English lesson.

But I don't believe that makes them writers.

I define writing as using words to be more than words. To invoke an emotion, from laughter to tears. To paint a vision, not just describe a scene but make it so vivid someone feels as if they're standing there. Something that pushes the thought process beyond the boundaries that seem to exist and go places not imagined.

I suppose it's something that can be learned, practiced and refined. I don't think that happens by doing the same thing over and over, just pushing information. It takes gambles and innovation. Maybe actually be a writer involves simple, innate talent.

The entire process made me think of a piano player. First, I don't believe people who do not know a note would ever sit down and pound away and call themself a player. Secondly, most people can practice and learn notes and communicate a tune. But there are those who turn notes into emotions, somehow put some of themself and their experiences into the instrument and are a musician.

In the same way, it's like the blogosphere has become a room jammed with thousands of pianos. Most people are in there banging away not because they want to make music but because the pounding feels good to them somehow. And somewhere in there, there might be a true tune, something beautiful and melodic, something that would move and inspire.

I wonder if we could even hear it.