Little boxes and the power of the eraser

person writing on notebook

The task of writing can be split into two parts; idea generation and editing. Both are equally important, yet more emphasis should be placed on the editing part. Ideas alone are premature. Editing allows our ideas to be refined and moulded to say exactly what we want them to say.

So it bothers me to see teachers having students write essays on paper, and it’s even worse in Japan when you have to write in little boxes. At least they write in pencil I guess.

Either way, this makes it extremely difficult and tiresome to edit, which is exactly where ideas truly develop. I think this is partially to blame for the general lack of writing skill, besides the minimal practice they get.

Once you have any sort of idea out on paper, the eraser is one of your best tools. It just has to be followed with refinement of the idea, and constant progress, forever moving forward.

ENJOYED THIS? HAVE MORE.

MOUNTAINS OF WISDOM

Subscribe to my yamabushi newsletter

RECENT BLOG POSTS

shining chinese lanterns above bike parked near cafe
Public service and serving the public
sushi on brown wooden board
The Default Option
handwritten people notebook office
Making an effort vs. getting results

YAMABUSHI BLOG POSTS

person running near street between tall trees
The logical next step
Filler until it’s killer
light workplace with laptop in office
If it ain’t broke

RANDOM POSTS

person running near street between tall trees
Progress is where it’s at
corn fields under white clouds with blue sky during daytime
Hang your thoughts out to dry
Mt. Chokai above the sea of Japan
Get out on the ocean
Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

Get In Touch

Sakata City, Yamagata, Japan 

tim@timbunting.com

Share this:

Like this:

Like Loading...
Scroll to Top