Do you agree that simplest things are hardest to write?
By scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
February 14, 2011 10:19pm CST
I just written an article about how to wash hands properly, and post it in Triond.
Ironically, such a single thing like handing wash hardly takes a minute.
Guess how long it takes for me to write the article?
More than half an hour. Can you imagine that? Using more than half an hour to write about something that is done in a minute or less.
The weird thing is that when I am halfway in my writing, I actually forget some of the steps taken in hand washing.
I have to go back to the bathroom, wash my hands, and try to take note of each and every step.
The step I forget is the part about scrubbing under the nails.
Sometimes we do those simple tasks so automatically that we never stop to recall each and every step.
I think if you were to write about tying shoe lace, you would have the same problem. It is easier to do, than to write.
Do you agree that sometimes the simplest things in life are hardest to put into writing?
1 person likes this
12 responses
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
I'm with you on this. Try to put into writing things you would explain to a child. It's really harder than you think. You have to choose words the child would understand and your sentence construction should be basic - just plain subject-verb agreement without dangling modifiers and stuff.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Feb 11
Hi Beamer, it really takes a lot of patience to teach a kid to brush teeth properly or to tie the shoe lace.
The only thing you refuse to teach them is to play with fire, yet they always love to play with fire.
Sometimes I think kindergarten teachers are underpaid and undervalued.
They have to deal with all those kids at an age that are more terrifying than dinosaurs.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Feb 11
Hi Beamer, I think teaching them is not the hardest things they do.
Once a kid starts to cry, half the class will cry. The noise is deafening, and it is hard to get the kids to stop crying, and start the class proper.
I think I will end up strangling those kids.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Feb 11
haha, I can understand. Without the music, and without everyone singing together, I doubt I can get it word perfect too.
I dare not try writing it out.
Words somehow seem different when you sing it than you read it.
I think if the newspaper runs a contest to see who can write the national anthem without a single mistake, that will be very interesting.
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
16 Feb 11
Hi. scheng1. I totally agree! I have wanted to write about the easiest topics, but I seem to struggle with the best way to write it. It is like I have so much to say about the subject. It seems like it is so much easier to talk about a subject, than it is to write about it.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
16 Feb 11
Hi Cream, I think that is the reason why articles on doing simple tasks are so limited.
Everyone finds it hard to write about simple things that we do everyday.
I think teaching kids is the hardest jobs of all, since kindergarten teachers have to teach them to brush teeth, and all other simple tasks.
@shynepapin101 (1879)
• United Arab Emirates
3 Mar 11
Sometimes we never believe what hit us, things that seems easy end up being the hardest to write about because you would want to be sure of every steps, take notice of extra little thing and make sure you pass in on in the articles.
You still did a good job at the end.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
3 Mar 11
Hi Shynepapin, actually most of us do not think too deeply about improving the ways we do things in life.
Most of us do not even know how to wash our hands properly, or brush our teeth properly.
Even simple things like washing hair and mopping floor are acquired skills.
That is why the salon can do a good business, even though everyone assumes they know how to wash hair the right way.
@godslove25 (402)
• Philippines
2 Mar 11
Yes I agree, It's the hardest thing for me to write an article. Even though you got the idea in your mind but when you begin to write, my mind begins to block. I don't where to start
However, I'm happy that I had also article post in triond while ago.
However, I'm happy that I had also article post in triond while ago.@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
2 Mar 11
Hi Godslove, actually writing very general article is very easy.
However, writing simple articles about washing hands, brushing teeth and setting dinner table are really tough.
These are all the things that we do everyday out of habit, and most of us do not even bother to note the sequence.
I think if you were to write about the process of brewing a cup of coffee or a cup of tea, you will find it tough too.
I like Triond for the freedom it gives to writers. There is no requirement to the writing style, and title.
@rossmae21 (10)
•
16 Feb 11
yeah, I'm agree with you, i already experience that feeling.You are very confident that you are able to write whats in your mind but then when you already have the paper and the pen you don't know how to start.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
16 Feb 11
Hi Rossmae, I feel the same way very often.
Before I sit down to write, I have in mind what to write, but when I start writing, I find that it is so hard.
I rather write about general topics than those simple everyday tasks.
It is easier to write about the 10 benefits of healthy eating than to write about how to wash hands properly.
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
15 Feb 11
WHen simplest things are explained , normally it becomes more complicated. Take for example, the art of sentence making in a known language..You just make a sentence[provided you know the language well] but if a Grammar teacher codifies by rules it becomes more complex[if you see what I mean]
Instinctive things , habits are difficult to elaborate on.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Feb 11
Hi Kalav, I think most of us do not even know why a sentence structure is in this manner.
We take it for granted that idioms come about due to some reasons, even though we do not know how or why.
I really hate grammar. It does make simple things so hard to learn.
I think when it comes to cooking, it is worse if we just read a wordy article without the demonstration.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Feb 11
Hi Adhyz82, actually for most of our articles, we just show the general ways of doing things.
Most of us never write anything in so details.
I means we just say boil water to make tea. How many of us want to describe the whole process of making tea?
Like step 1, wash the kettle, fill it up with water to three quarter full etc.
i think that is why the standard operating procedures are very hard to write in office setting.
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
15 Feb 11
In such a case, would a video with narration be faster and more effective?
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Feb 11
Hi Tiffnkeat, video with narration is better for teaching purpose, but it does not work very well with seo.
If you note those blogs or websites with videos, they still have to write a long article so that the search engines can index and send readers.
I think for my simple article about washing hand, that will be double work.
@sergiobuitrago (8)
•
16 Feb 11
se dice que es mas dificil sintetizar en un parrafo un documento de varias paginas, que desarrollar varias paginas en base a un parrafo. la verdad es que si, es necesario enfocarse en lo que uno necesita para poder ser concreto y coherente.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Feb 11
haha Sexyice, what simple thing are you writing?
I think if you write about how to teach a toddler to hold a spoon, every parent will not understand.
It seems such a simple thing, yet to put it down to writing, it is so difficult, with all the instructions.
@Ichiru101 (284)
• United States
16 Feb 11
YES I do agree with what you are saying. When trying to understand simple things it seems easy. The real problem is when trying to "dumb it out". Its one thing to be able to explain it to yourself in your head, then to write it out. Words are always appearing to be lost.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
16 Feb 11
Hi Ichiru, I think most of us rather do than to write it out.
Most of the times we do things so automatically that we never think about the different actions involved.
Simple things like tying the shoes laces are easier to do, than to write, or describe or even teach.
I think if we attempt to write steps by steps article about all the things we do in the morning, we will go mad.
