Writing When It’s Not Your Job

What is it about writing that makes me want to make it a part of any job I have, (even when that job’s primary roles have next to nothing to do with written communication)?

Since leaving the Journal newspapers back in 1992, I have in one way or another, tried to make writing a part of my position. Not so much a priority, because the given position had different responsibilities and duties, but because I wanted to contribute something more.

I was interested in letting folks know what we were up to. How we were contributing to the institution. Who we were as a department as well as individuals. What plans we were working on. And ways we could benefit them that maybe they hadn’t thought about or seen us as possibly being involved with.

Within my recent positions, I have been co-editor of a departmental newsletter, contributor to web sites and departmental guides, voice-over guy for our front desk phone (mainly because I was there when it needed to be changed). I’ve created signs for hours and closings, written updates and notes from things which happened the week before. And yes, I have sent the occasional email (give or take a few hundred) providing information about products or services offered.

So yes, writing has been a part of my career in pretty much everything. Sometimes it became part of the job. Other times, even if it meant writing some simple semi-humorous newsletter just for our small staff, I included writing just because I could.

Now what about you? How have you chosen to make writing a part of your job (even if it really isn’t)?

The Never Ending Question Which Fits Everywhere, Even For Writers

It’s a popular open-ended question which has helped change the world, make the seemingly impossible, possible. It has helped bring the unmotivated into leaders. It has helped creative people who may have been blocked for lengthy periods of time, come back with fresh views, ideas, aspirations and more creative ways of doing what they do.

What if… is the starting point to countless questions in any given area. And it works for writers as well. For me, and for this list, it’s about getting ideas and sitting one’s tail in a chair to actually write again.

What if…

1. …I got up 30 minutes earlier?
2. …I would exercise for just 10 simple minutes a day?
3. …I bring the tools of my trade with me everywhere I go?
4. …I would edit those pieces I wrote 4 years ago and sent them out?
5. …I sold something I wrote?
6. …I could sit myself down and actually write every day?
7. …My teachers were write when they said I wrote well?
8. …My teachers were wrong then they said my writing sucked?
9. …I could make writing more a part of my job duties?
10. …I go to the park, bring a voice recorder, talk about what I see, feel, smell and hear?
11. …while I am still at the park, I recorded my thoughts about what I wanted to write?
12. …I recorded ideas I had for possible greeting cards, bumper stickers, buttons and the like which I could send off to some places, or even design myself for Cafe Press?
13. …I just sat and recorded ideas I had for different books, booklets, articles, chapters, plays, videos, blogs and poems?
14. …I would just write instead of wondering What If…?

What are your What if… questions you have asked yourself over the years?

David
The Unmotivated Motivational Writer