The Decision to Write

When close to 2 billion people use TikTok, why have I decided to go old school with basic words on a page?

Simple.

Firstly, I'm getting a little resentful of my doom scrolling habits, and I know I can't be the only one.

Secondly, as someone who is trying to encourage others to read more I think it could be hypocritical of me to create wordless content.

It is not just that these videos are wordless (indeed, some do have captions), but it is that they give you all of the answers without you needing to put much thought to it. The videos are image and sound oriented, and designed to inform your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours intentionally, leaving very little room for critical thinking. Simple words on a page with no costume, or music, or colours, or charismatic faces, relies heavily on the mind of its reader.

In many of the literature-based podcasts I've listened to, as well as some of the theories explored during my time at university, there is the idea that the author simply starts the novel and it is the reader who finishes it. When an author publishes their work, they relinquish all control over the narrative, its characters, and its mission. An author will craft their work with painstaking detail to try to achieve their desired outcome, but ultimately they know that the spirit of a novel is only realised by the interpretation of a reader. The written word is just a scribble on the page until it receives a witness to its life.

I love this idea because it highlights the intimate connection one can have with a story that they themselves did not write. Whenever I read a book, I feel it as a moment of vulnerability and open-mindedness in which me and this stranger's narrative have all sorts of conversations - we can laugh together, cry together, grow together, and love together.

This active openness, and intentional vulnerability, is what I want to promote more. With time, I hope I can demonstrate to my tiny audience how impactful the benefits of reading can be on all areas of your life.