A. Ragnauth: Expanding the Frame

Writing, to me, feels like picking a font. One of the most tedious tasks ever. I scroll through a million options until I finally find one that feels right. We’re told to consider our audience and find ways to hold their attention, just like choosing a font that aligns to our design. Yet, how are we supposed to write for a specific audience, but also write for ourselves?

In this week’s reading, Zinsser is encouraging us to be authentic first before considering an audience. By being authentic, we will naturally draw in the right audience. This made me realize that writing isn’t actually a contradiction. He says ” Think of the other as a creative act: the expressing of who you are. Relax and say what you want to say… Just as it takes time to find yourself as a person, it takes time to find yourself as a stylist.” This section struck me, I thought as a graphic designer, every design I create is rooted in my style. Every image, color palette, and layout reflects who I am. The same goes for writing, every word or sentence I type here, reflects pieces of me.

As a graphic design teacher, I thrive on teaching my students to craft and hone their own style alongside putting structures in place to set them up for success. I create projects with opportunities for student voice and detailed instructions. I realized that I also approach writing the same way. My voice is analytical, but personal. I value directness and clarity over sugarcoating. These chapters taught me that while writing may be difficult for me, I write best when I stop overthinking and write as I design. Piece by piece, structured and organized.

Ultimately, I finally understand that finding my voice means writing for myself and risking that my writing will reach those meant to read it. Writing that is authentic, honest, and intentional will connect with those who are alike to me. Writing for myself doesn’t mean I’m ignoring my audience, it means that I’m weeding out the ones who were never meant to stick around.