writing under pressure
One of the best classes I’m taking this semester (or should I say took? 1 class left!) is taught by Maralee Schwartz, former political editor of the Washington Post. In this class, titled “How Politicians Connect,” we study the connecting strategies of Obama and McCain.
Of course it entails a good amount of reading and writing. Hmm… connecting, writing/reading… Seem to go together, no? A good book, or in Scripped-land, a good screenplay, connects the writer to the reader. It is done not just by writing well and looking good (Mitt Romney) but by being straightforward (McCain, at least in his better days) and always genuine (Obama, frustratingly consistent). Finding your true voice and being honest with yourself is what readers respond to in good writing. It’s probably why writing under pressure often produces your best stuff.
Like today. I got an email from Sunil asking me to put another one of my awesome blog posts together. I thought to myself, I have nothing to write about. Then I self-corrected - there is always something to say if I let my true self out. The best way to do that? Give yourself a time limit. I have contact@scripped emails to respond to before my lunch date with said Prof. Schwartz! Plus my own personal overflowing inbox! Plus economic problem sets to grade!
We all have our obligations, but taking the time to write, if that’s what you like to do, is critical. I leave with one last anecdote. Yesterday I had the good fortune to lunch with Jeff Taylor, the former “Chief Monster” at Monster.com (wildly popular job/resume website) and current head of Eons.com. He asked the other students at the table what we do for fun. Odd question from a bad ass CEO, right? Well, he told us he’s a DJ and spends his Sunday mornings sourcing music from all over the world and does his mixing on Thursday nights. Then his mix goes off to Sirius and XM where they broadcast his creation.
He told us that as you get older, it becomes increasingly important to do what you love. It helps you connect, stay straightforward, and be genuine and sincere with yourself. So thank you, Sunil, for making me write.
And with that, I return to those emails…
Ryan
![[del.icio.us]](http://scripped.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://scripped.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://scripped.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Furl]](http://scripped.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/furl.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://scripped.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Email]](http://scripped.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
Tags: Harvard, kennedy school, Scripped, Writing
March 27th, 2009 at 1:22 am
Huge exhibits of Arbonne Skin Care Products…
Arbonne is one of the main companies in the world when it comes to skin and beauty care. Its skin care line is one of the best in the world that many women. The products of Arbonne International skin care products are manufactured in Switzerland….
March 29th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Shag Hairstyles Tips…
Stylists of the those celebrities are miracle makers, capturing each of their personalities and presenting them in sophisticated fun loving shag haircuts. Let’s hope we’ll see more and more celebrities with their gorgeous shags….
April 4th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
English Writer Software…
I have referred certain software to my friends…..
April 16th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Mortgage Rates…
If you are thinking over a mortgage refinance, you should take into consideration a lot of mortgage refinance program types. For example, you may look into a 10 year fixed rate mortgage refinance. In this case your mortgage payments higher than a longe…
April 19th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Marilee’s Printable Paper Dolls…
Fashion printable paper dolls - are dolls designed to reflect fashion trends or just fantasy play. The dolls are made of paper, and are modeled both as for play and for collections. They are loved by many people. The fashion dolls are usually manufactu…
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:38 am
Marijuana is worse than Cigarettes…
All kind of tobacco is harmful, no matter how it is manufactured, said doctors. For example they found that smoking tobacco described as ‘light’ and ‘mild’ is not better for health and is not safer to smoke compared with smoking regular tobacco. do…
April 27th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Which is more detrimental Smoking or Obesity?…
Scientists stated in a study that heart deseases are hitting the overweight more often than a decade sooner than “normal” weight….
May 14th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
short hair style you like…
A short hair style can reveal some facts about your face that you are not quite fond of. Therefore, this is something to be aware of for those who might be more introverted about some of our facial features. It is also observed that it can take time to…
May 19th, 2009 at 1:52 am
generic viagra sales online…
The child’s world life needs to buy viagra online support his or her educational level. An organized, quiet study place is needed. A balance between diet, rest, play, and study should be maintained….