Hey Friends,

I often get some serious eye-rolling when I insist that writing is still really, really important.

In this age of A.I., and action-packed awkwardly-edited video reels on a mini-screen, writing might feel a bit, well, antiquated.

It’s just words, on a page. Isn’t that… boring?

My peeps, you know I love some good modes of multi-dimensional communication. Moving images! Colour! Text! And MORE!

Call me old fashioned, but the amazingness of writing cannot be ignored.

Writing is a product - a novel, blog post, grant application, scholarship essay, job application cover letter, etc. And this writing product might seem a little slower. But maybe we should try to embrace “the slow” in this often-overwhelming, fast-paced world.

However, writing is also a process:

• Organizing your ideas so they can be received clearly
• Imagining your audience/reader and what will resonate with them
• Selecting words and crafting strong language

All so good!

Writing is thinking. It’s a kind of analysis.

Writing is about communication and communication is about relationships. In our professional lives (and really, in all parts of our lives), writing is an incredibly powerful way to connect with other people and express yourself.

And, in case we needed another reason, all of this writing process stuff also offers amazing cognitive and life benefits. Writing has been shown to improve memory, critical thinking, creativity, verbal skills, and general, overall health - wild!

Now, don’t get me wrong - other modes of communication can also be amazing. These other things are also kinds of communication, as well as thinking and analysis. (I’ll save that idea for another newsletter…)

These other things do not, however, take away from the awesomeness of writing.

What do you think? Am I out in left field with this “writing is important” fixation (shakes fist at sky!)?

I’d love to know what you think.

Julia

Julia Gray, PhD

​Website | Instagram | LinkedIn​

• award-winning writer, researcher, teacher
• mentored hundreds of students & clients
• playwright, theatre creator
• chocolate devotee, Mum of 2, ex-bun-head

Looking for ways to build a creative and humanity-centred life or workplace?

• Download my freebie about building an awesome session, like a webinar or presentation (here!)
• Keep an eye out for my upcoming mini-course for professionals on writing with confidence, where I’ll share my proven framework to help you build your writing confidence and skill, and organize your ideas so you can connect with people clearly and authentically.
• Check out my thought leadership through my Substack, The Possibilities Project.

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