Those who Write, should also Read

Intellectual Reflection vs. Intuitive Reflection (Let’s call it - a Moment of Intuition)

Image by Kirya from Unsplash

Anyone who writes should also read.

To whom does this apply and why is it so important?

Buckle up — We start our intellectual journey first…

When we start thinking about a text, we should do so in a structured way.

It starts with an idea — a concept, formed around that idea.

Which characters will be dedicated to the core of the text? How will tension be built up? Which metric will we follow?

The reader should be taken on a journey. But not alone. We accompany them, take them by the hand and guide them.

But only on a straight path. Every now and then the reader is let loose, allowed to go on a journey of discovery and look into unseen nooks and crannies.

But we have to lead them back on the path again and again — so that they don’t get lost on their journey to the core of our text!

He follows the metric, stilistic and rhythmic path we show him.

And at some point — as was to be expected — we bring him to his destination. Our predetermined destination.

We review the journey and discuss why he would reach his destination by any route. We underpin this with a kind of reasoning — stringent, answering and teaching.

That — that is the intellectual journey.

The self-imposed resolution and the playing of a predictable hand..

One thing should not be forgotten: We read our text iteratively again and again and improve it in this loop until it shines.

Precisely and without edges, as only the intellect can achieve.

But isn’t there another way? Perhaps — easier? More intuitive?

Buckle up again — now we look out for that very spark of intuition…

Just a moment, please..

Yes, it took just a moment.

Intuition does not ask

Intuition does not instruct

Intuition does not verify

Intuition - It knows.

Sometimes, we don’t have to read in order to write. It is enough to write so that others read.