Writing starts way before you put letters to a page.

It involves processes like critical thinking, communication, and creativity.

People will take your message more seriously when the evidence is right in front of them.

This is like dressing up a household pet in evening clothes.

The pet is embarrassed and the person who committed this act of premeditated cuteness should be even more embarrassed.

You’ve probably read someone’s essay before where you cringed or frowned at their excessive language.

Keep this in mind as you move through life as well.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel as you approach each problem.

Sometimes, it’s whatnotto do (and unfortunately, sometimes you’re learning those lessons from yourself).

Writer and Nobel Prize laureate William Faulkner suggests:

Read, read, read.

Read everythingtrash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it.

Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master.

You’ll absorb it.

Read and explore all types of media to refine your perspective.

You’ll become more creative.

you’re free to take this advice both literally and figuratively, as it expands beyond books.

Reading is primarily about acquiring information, but you don’t just acquire information from books and writing.

So “read” those carefully as well.

Don’t avoid small talk and light banter.

Talk to as many different people as you like.

Invest yourtime and money to seeing the world.

I used to only read cheerful books, and watch fun TV shows and movies.

However, sadness, rage, and anxiety are all parts of the human experience.

The events that cause these feelings could happen in your real life at any time.

Experiencing these emotions is crucial to getting a better grasp on joy, peace, and excitement.

Trying to do everything is futile.

confirm that what you’re giving up is worth it.

You’re a busy person.

Show other people your ideas to make stronger impressions.

Avoid dressing up your language, and write like how you would talk.

Learn from everything and expand your mind.

Most importantly, buckle down and focus to get more important things done.

Photos byJaime Gonzalez,Eric Danley,Pedro Ribeiro Simoes,Magdalena Roeseler, andChris Dlugosz.