Thirteen Theses for the Writer

Today I set aside the aforementioned MLA paper to start revising the second chapter of my doctoral dissertation. When I read through the chapter, I revisited the struggle of writing it in the first place, and so I started thinking about ways I'd like to approach writing.

This is, in part, a response to Walter Benjamin's "The Writer's Technique in Thirteen Theses," which I will post here sooner or later. But it's also just my thoughts on the practice of writing, conveniently packaged in 13 segments.

1) Advanced thought in accessible prose.

2) Always write as if a larger audience - one that consists of intelligent non-specialists, especially a group of smart people you know - will read what you've written.

3) Write about subjects that interest you. Truly.

4) How you feel about the writing, the subject, the audience, etc. will get embedded in your prose. So will how you feel when writing.

5) In three versions:
5.1) Be who you want to articulate. Then, write.
5.2) Ontology first. Composition second.
5.3) Compose your self first.

6) A writer's mantra:
Write.
Every day.
No matter what.
[Note: you can define "every day" how you like. For me, it mean 5 or 6 days a week]

7) If possible: Write First.
[This does not contradict number 5]

8) "Nulla dies sine linea" - Plinius

9) "Nulla dies sine linea - but there may well be weeks" - Benjamin
But if you find yourself having gone weeks without writing, start writing.

10) Embrace a healthy obsession with both your subject material and writing about it.

11) Revision is generative. Even destruction, as Marx tells us, is a creative process.

12) No single approach to writing is 100% effective 100% of the time. Switch it up as often as necessary.

13) Rest and relaxation can be as useful for your work as work itself. Moreover, taking a long enough break from work will enable you to return to it as both a reader and a composer.
[Note: But if you take too much time off, see number 9]