"I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear"
About this Quote
In this insightful quote from renowned author Joan Didion, she encapsulates the deeply introspective nature of the writing procedure and its revelatory power. Didion speaks to the idea that writing is not simply an act of communicating pre-conceived ideas, however rather an exploratory journey into the recesses of one's own mind and emotions.
She begins with "I compose entirely to learn what I'm believing", recommending that writing serves as a tool for cognitive discovery. Typically, ideas are abstract and ephemeral, swirling around in the subconscious. The act of writing forces these thoughts into concrete type, requiring clearness, structure, and coherence. This process can expose underlying beliefs, predispositions, or concerns that might not have been consciously acknowledged.
Didion continues with "what I'm taking a look at, what I see and what it suggests", which indicates that composing help in the procedure of meaning-making. It's not almost external observation, however about interpreting those observations within an individual context. Writing allows one to examine the significance of what they discover worldwide. This can be particularly powerful in understanding one's own life experiences, societal problems, or philosophical questions.
The concluding portion, "What I desire and what I fear", delves into the dichotomy of human emotions and desires. Writing serve as a mirror reflecting internal goals and anxieties. By articulating these on paper, one can challenge them, make sense of them, and ultimately get insight into their motivational drives and inhibitions.
In essence, Didion captures the extensive and in some cases restorative nature of writing. It is an intimate workout of self-exploration, using clearness and insight into one's thoughts, perceptions, desires, and worries, hence helping with a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. Through her words, she underscores the transformative and illuminating capacity of writing as a practice of self-inquiry.
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