""Starting my own blog is something I've wanted to do for years. Writing is one of my favourite things but spelling and grammar is something I've always found difficult. I'm a bit scared to put myself out there."A conversation that almost broke my heart.
- A quote (used with permission) from one of the sweetest email conversations I've ever had."
If you love to write, always write. Words are wonderful. They're powerful. The right words, in the right order, at the right time can be life changing. Life saving even. For both the reader and the writer. Fall in love with language. Play with words. Get lost inside them. Arrange them in different ways, create sentences with entirely new meanings. Discover new words. And don't worry about spelling everything correctly immediately, or about where that comma needs to go. Because those are things that can be fixed later.
Your words might make a difference to someone, somewhere. And even if it's only for a few seconds, it meant something. Maybe they'll mean something to someone for the rest of their lives. They'll carry them with them, remembering them during happy times, sad times, or times when they need to be reminded that they're not alone. But they'll also mean something to you. They will be a visible reminder of you, who you were and what you were feeling at that precise moment in time. And it won't really matter if you used 'their' instead of 'there'. Because that wasn't the most important part. What was important is that it meant something. In that moment. Forever.
Never be afraid to write. Even if it's just for yourself. Especially if it's just for yourself. Your words are yours. And you know what? Sometimes it's fun to forget the rules. To stick two fingers up at them and make your own rules.
Because after all, missing out on what you have to say is infinitely worse than whether that comma is in the right place.
- Jennie xo
*Shout out to my berol handwriting pen. It's my favourite because without it my handwriting is atrocious. And when I inevitably get ink all over my hands, face (don't ask) and clothes - it's washable! Also, the day in primary school when the teacher decided my handwriting was nice enough in pencil to be allowed to use pen was the best ever! Ahh memories...
I love writing! But when I write I just want to put my ideas down as quickly as I can before I forget. I don't worry about anything when I write. And that's my problem. I also found out that I don't really like re-reading stuff I've written because I tend to change not only spelling but whole words and usually end up messing up the whole idea I had. Plus English (with its twisted spelling!) is not my first language thus I find it quite difficult. But I love writing so so much that I believe its worth risking getting spelling or grammar wrong at times. At the end of the day it's the ideas You want to coney using word that matters :)
ReplyDeleteI would never know that English isn't your first language, you write so well! I completely agree, it's the ideas that are important <3
DeleteI love this post Jennie, thanks for reminding me that my blog is my own space for me to be as creative and free as possible <3
ReplyDeleteGold Dust
x
<3 <3
DeleteGreat post, but the bit that made my mind up to comment? Berol pens!! I love them, and working at a school means I'm lucky enough to always have a little supply on hand. I buy beautiful coloured pens, but none write as nicely as a good ol' Berol black pen!
ReplyDelete- Lorna at Scared Toast x
haha they're amazing! xo
DeleteThis is such a great post! I like to think I'm ok with grammar and punctuation, I hope! But it doesn't stop me from just writing how I want and I write for myself. As long as I would want to read my own blog, then I hope other people will want to also.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, as always x.
I think you write wonderfully! <3
Deleteoo i love a good handwriting pen! x
ReplyDeleteThey're the best! xo
DeleteYou've pretty much vovalised every single reason why I love to write and tell people why they shouldn't be afraid to write!
ReplyDeleteAnd when it comes to grammatical rules, I just go with the flow when I first draft anything - you can always edit later! Xx
Absolutely, grammar and spelling can always be fixed later! xo
DeleteAh Jennie you always write so beautifully and put things into words perfectly! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you sweet! xo
DeleteThis is a great post! Grammar and spelling isn't everything, an we're only human at the end of the day! I notice a few bloggers on Twitter who slate people for the writing skills often, and it really annoys me. Who are they to judge others? A blog is a persons space to use as they wish, and a great way to improve their writing skills, so if that's what you love to do, then you do it! Ignore the negativity! x
ReplyDeleteCompletely. I hate the idea of someone being scared to put their writing out there simply because grammar and spelling aren't their strong points. It's something that can be fixed! xo
DeleteThis post was really inspiring xx
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteI Love this post, I was terrified when I started my Blog, my spelling as awful, and my grammar isn't great. But blogging makes me soooo happy. x
ReplyDeleteYayy, I'm so pleased! xo
DeleteI loved this post! There's nothing better than writing in your own style, after finding what works best for you. In this day and age it's a shame there are still some people that can be so critical of others in their spelling and grammar. Life is too short! Couldn't agree more with what you said about words being powerful <3
ReplyDeleteSophie | soinspo xx
I think it's such a shame! xo
DeleteOh, I agree with everything you've said! Plus, the more you write and read, the more your grammar and spelling improve anyway, it's a win win! Gel pens were my thing in high school, I used to love collecting and swapping them aha! xxx
ReplyDeletehehe they were the best! xo
Deletehigh 5 to that! i've never been the best writer but i honestly think it's the thought and content that count :)
ReplyDeleterachel x
blush&brunch
absolutely! xo
DeleteHey, love your blog so I have nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award, you can see my post here - http://beansbeautyblog.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=inspiring+blogger+award
ReplyDeleteHope you have time to take part xx
<3 thank you! xo
DeleteAmen! I adore writing, whether I'm "inspired" or not. Practice makes perfect and all that, and it's all about the thoughts and sentiments behind the words, eh?
ReplyDeleteabsolutely! xo
DeleteThanks for writing this post, gives me a lot more confidence! :) x
ReplyDeleteEvelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves
<3 <3
DeleteI felt this way as well in the beginning, the fact that English isn't my first language made me really insecure because I'm bit of and perfectionist and hate making mistakes. But I've stopped caring now, I do try my best to get it all right but if I don't, who cares? :)
ReplyDeleteThe ideas behind the words are so much more important <3
DeleteWhat a lovely post! In response to some of your other readers, English wasn't my first language, either. There are so many rules, but I believe that writing is a form of art. There are no rules for art. (: Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts, as always.
ReplyDelete-Cindy from A Princess's Guide to Life, Love, & Looks
I agree!! xo
DeleteWell said! Such a lovely post :) it doesn't matter about if the spelling or the grammar is right, it's about the words themselves and what they mean to you! x
ReplyDeleteSarah @ sarahlouxo.com xx
<3 <3
Deleteyou're absolutely right. i only get on edge about grammar when I see silly (but repeated) mistakes on magazines, newspapers, etc. - probably because i had to learn English from scratch as opposed to naturally and studied a lot of grammar! at the end of the day though, it's the content that counts. xx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! xo
DeleteI love writing so much, but I'm dyslexic so I do find it hard sometimes. I proof read my posts loads and my housemate can still find errors when she reads it for me!
ReplyDeleteCorinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
Your love for it is all that really matters! xo
DeleteI don't care at all if people write with errors. Its all about the message. -Hanna Lei
ReplyDelete<3
Deletevery true :) i find spelling a bit hard sometimes .... LOL xx
ReplyDeletewww.ambifashion.com
<3
DeleteI agree with everything you said! It's all about what the words mean to you x
ReplyDeleteTelina | Love, Telina
<3 xo
DeleteA very beautiful post Jennie! xx
ReplyDelete- Chaitra | PinkPot
thank you! xo
Deletewriting is the best thing in the world. this is why i'm writer and i write to many portals. it helps in every moment. no matter if you are sad or happy.
ReplyDeletehttp://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/
♥
<3 <3
DeleteLOVE this post Jennie! And I'm sure Shakespeare broke all the rules so who cares? ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteexactly!! xo
DeleteAhh those pens bring back such memories!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that writing something is definitely better than writing nothing because you're too scared - at the end of the day you have to write for yourself first and foremost :)
Jess xo
hehe they're the best pens! xo
DeleteI had that exact thought for over a year now but a month ago I just did it and I have been really enjoying it. My grammar and spelling isn't the best but that's because english isn't my first language and I am still trying to learn it. But blogposts like this one encourage me to keep going no matter how horrid my spelling or grammar is because I am having fun writing. so thank you. xx
ReplyDeleteAlways keep writing! <3 xx
DeleteAs a language teacher, this one really resonates. Kids want to have a go but are scared of getting it wrong. I feel we put so much emphasis on getting everything right that it can stifle creativity and content.
ReplyDeleteI agree! xo
DeleteBeautiful post! I think it's easy to forget the effect words can often have.
ReplyDeleteAlessia | alessiadicapua.blogspot.co.uk
<3
DeleteSo inspiring. I love this post. Writing is therapeutic. x
ReplyDeleteIt really is! xo
DeleteThank you for writing this. I have been deliberating whether to restart my blog for months now and this was the little push I needed to write and post again! :)
ReplyDeleteAww yay! xo
Deletethis made me smile, thank you X
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteYes! Get the words down, don't worry about the way they're spelt. x
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteI felt the exact same thing, when I began blogging. I'm from Denmark and we're learned to use grammar differently, and my blog posts are written in English so the grammar on my posts... well... it's kind of a mix between two types of grammar rules.... It's not perfect, but I'm working on it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this post! xx
C:ndy | mazedays.blogspot.com
<3 <3
DeleteI love this post and couldn't agree with you more Jennie! Your blog is your own, no one else's and although there will always be people to judge you or your blog, we shouldn't let it, as not one actually has the right too! xo
ReplyDeleteHannah | Glitter and Sparkle
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DeleteIt is so nice to see this! I write every day, for my job and for the love of it, and I have never bin a strong speller, which can be embarrassing, but I would never give up the joy of putting one word after another just because I might not be sure which letter follows which! Stephie from Tea in your Twenties x
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