Writing is enjoyable to some while others find it a chore. In a globalised environment where writing is such an essential part of communication, regardless of its medium, it is a skill and an art. Here’s why.
One of the first things we learn as children is writing. We first begin with writing alphabets and numbers and move on to stringing sentences to convey meaning and intent. This is where we are taught skills – the appropriate usage of grammar, spelling and punctuation. So technically, anyone taught those skills can write.
It is an art because writing creates ideas and allows readers to step into a different world, just like how a painter or musician does through their respective art. So is a writer an artist too?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘artist’ as one who professes an imaginative art, or a person skilled in the fine arts while the Oxford dictionary defines an artist as someone skilled at a particular task or occupation. So given the definitions, it can be said that art altogether is being skilled at something.
Authors such as J.K. Rowling and Dan Brown are apt in their writing skills because of the way they bring another different world and communicate ideas to their readers. When they make readers feel the emotions of their characters that is when writing is an art.
So in truth, anyone can write but for those who can perfect that skill, it becomes an art. What do you think? Let us know if you think writing is an art, a skill or both.