Why Writing is More Like Remodeling
By: Dr. Zeynep Isik-Ercan
Tags: Writers On Writing, Writers Block, Writing Tips, Writing, Writing Prompts

Why Writing is More Like Remodeling

Writing always feels so overwhelming in the beginning. You know something needs to done, it looks so crowded up there in your mind and messy, just like your little entryway. But you do not have any idea what can be done. You have multiple problems and no solutions. All of a sudden, you begin searching for ideas to write, and just like a small remodeling project, millions of ideas, designs, colors, and shapes come to mind. You spend so many hours contemplating, browsing sites, collecting bits and pieces, and wondering. It all feels so confusing and you can never decide. Also, it can be a bit scary since you have not started and everything still looks ugly, a big ugly. You have lots of hesitation, too, what if the design looks too old, too plain, colors unmatched, what if it looks tacky, and people find it boring?

You achieve a bit of a breakthrough when you realize have a previously done piece, an inspiration piece, a hook, a “must”, or an “anchor” that you think can be at the center while you can adjust everything according to it. To me, it was the square vinyl tile piece that I purchased before, in writing, we can call it a central thesis, a key idea, or a niche that is not offered previously in this way. That determines the color theme — which is your framework, your skeleton, and your type of paper. Everything after comes down to fitting other pieces you have according to your central piece.

The first stage, painting, painfully resembles an drafting and editing process. The first crazy dabs on paint and careless strokes on the wall is like free write. Then, you begin doing a whole coating, which takes so much time. After you do the first coating, you realize that there is so many areas that do not look aligned, the color does not show consistent. It bothers you so much and you begin the second coating. As you continue to go down to the details, mistakes get smaller, but more bothersome. At some point, it looks very nice from a distance. You decide that it is “good” enough, and it is coherent and complete, even though it is textured and flawed. Your arms and hands hurt from painting and you know you have to say goodbye to paint when you feel it is satisfactory enough. You know every draft can be better, and there is no end to perfection, so it is OK.

After the painting — the foundation, you add the resources, details, ideas and evidence to your writing, and continue with your color scheme. It is like putting up an accent wall that is aligned with your core idea- your color framework, working with something and making it visible, appealing, clear, and new to others.

Then at the end, bring forth the previous discourses, ideas and history to live by re-purposing them in your discussion and conclusion, just like creating your storage cubes from egg cardboard boxes. They will complete the space you are given and end meaningfully. Finally, consider small touches in your language, style necessities, and grammar, just like added decorations and mats.

This way, writing becomes a remodeling project, you are creating a new being from history, but adding your signature. It is timely and fresh now, but it will get older, and get dusty in time. It is OK though, remember there will be opportunities to remodel other spaces, in other times, and imagine new colors to move the world further!