Clearly, Not Poetically

Sometimes I’ll read Ava’s newsletter or I’ll listen to Anthony Bourdain’s monologues (Bourdain previously wrote for the New Yorker) and I’ll get imposters syndrome on how beautifully they write. Both Ava and Bourdain have a poetic style of writing. Their writing paints a vivid picture in my mind, it makes me feel things, and it makes me want to read more.

Early on, I thought that poetic writing was the hallmark of a great writer. I tried to use big words and literary devices thinking it would improve the voice of my writing when in fact it made me sound like a fraud.

I learned that writing poetically is not my strength. I learned that my strength as a writer is about insightful ideas, clearly and concisely explained.