Kathmandu:

'Reading makes a full man, conference a ready man, writing an exact man — Francis Bacon'

Like speaking, writing should be thought of as a dominant medium of expression. For many students this can be a productive skill.

Writing skill plays a fundamental role in a student’s life. Generally, we don’t begin the process of writing owing many fears. We feel that failure means frustration, but this can also spell danger for our creativity. However, failure shapes our knowledge so that we don’t repeat the mistakes. Failure in a way moves us on to success.

The way we write develops through various and continuous steps of progression. We hesitate about taking up writing because we this illusion that there isn’t any new topic to write about. This may be true also to an extent, and perhaps we wouldn’t like to be labelled as a ‘copycat’.

But imitating (not copying) someone you admire could be the best way to begin your voyage into the world of writing. As has been said, there is no original writer, no original words and phrases, but the way of manipulation of the subjects, the words and phrases can be original.

Once you begin writing, you could show your work to your teacher, who could perhaps act as your critic and mentor. Their criticisms taken in a positive way can help you improve your writing.

Perhaps you will begin by writing about something imaginary. You could slowly move towards writing about your experiences.

Another way to improve your writing is to keep a journal or diary. You could develop whatever you’ve jotted down in your diaries into short stories and essays with some imaginative twist.

But one must remember that a person cannot be a writer in one sitting. You will perhaps be disappointed with rejections, criticisms and suffer from inconfidence. But if you have the talent and the flair for writing, the world can be your oyster.