Books are the only method of having knowledge. They offer vast reservoir of knowledge on any topic imaginable. Dive deep into history, science, philosophy, or explore new hobbies and interests. I was reading the Letters of C. S. Lewis and hit upon this gem on writing. Those of us who write will understand what C.S Lewis means – especially the part about not listening to the radio, for which we should substitute Netflix, Facebook, and bingeing on podcasts. It is not that those things are necessarily bad, but if we indulge in them, then we forfeit our right to ever complain about not having time to finish a book. I am only preaching to myself here.
On 14 December, 1959, TO A SCHOOLGIRL IN AMERICA, who had written at her teacher’s suggestion to request advice on writing C.S. Lewis wrote:
It is very hard to give any general advice about writing. Here’s my attempt.
- Turn off the Radio.
- Read all the good books you can, and avoid nearly all magazines.
- Always write (and read) with the ear, not the eye. You should hear every sentence you write as if it was being read aloud or spoken. If it does not sound nice, try again.
- Write about what really interests you, whether it is real things or imaginary things, and nothing else. (Notice this means that if you are interested only in writing you will never be a writer, because you will have nothing to write about. . ..)
- Take great pains to be clear. Remember that though you start by knowing what you mean, the reader doesn’t, and a single ill-chosen word may lead him to a total misunderstanding. In a story it is terribly easy just to forget that you have not told the reader something that he wants to know—the whole picture is so clear in your own mind that you forget that it isn’t the same in his
- When you give up a bit of work don’t (unless it is hopelessly bad) throw it away. Put it in a drawer. It may come in useful later. Much of my best work, or what I think my best, is the re-writing of things begun and abandoned years earlier.
- Don’t use a typewriter. The noise will destroy your sense of rhythm, which still needs years of training.
- Be sure you know the meaning (or meanings) of every word you use.
Regular writing & reading exposes the reader to a wider range of vocabulary, improving communication skills and comprehension. Latest studies suggest that these activities can help sharpen memory and cognitive function, keeping the mind active and engaged.
Sitting with a good book can be a form of mental escape, offering a reprieve from daily anxieties and a chance to unwind. In today’s fast-paced world filled with distractions, books strengthen the ability to focus and concentrate for extended periods.
Writing exposes to new ideas and thought processes, potentially sparking one’s own creativity. Immersing in well-written prose can improve the writing style, sentence structure, and overall communication clarity. Book time before bed will have calming nature; helps to relax and unwind, promoting better sleep quality.
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional. What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
