Over-analyzing as a Writer | Olivia J

"Writing is an underestimated art. You are painting colorful images in people's minds by using words of black and white."

In literature class, what is most likely the first word in a set of questions on a worksheet?

Analyze. 

One of the largest elements of a literature class is to analyze the characters, the writing, the plot, the author's intent. This involves taking the actions and the words of the character or author to derive meaning or understanding from it. 

Translating this to being an author, this process works the same, but in the opposite way. The author must choose the precise words and actions to portray the right message, whether it be through a character or through word choice. 

As an avid reader and writer, I'm in this analyzing mindset constantly. 

Naturally, I carry this into my daily life - or, more accurately, reality. Because this is how I've been trained - by teachers or by my own practice of writing and reading - to see people, to see the world through this analytical lens of literature. 

However, people aren't characters. Life isn't a novel. And by applying this analytical lens to life, problems arise. 

Obviously. 

Because the goal of overanalyzing is to make sense of people, their words, their actions, and of things that happen in life. But sometimes people do irrational things. Sometimes life doesn't make sense. 

Sometimes no amount of mulling over people's words or considering their actions will make anything make sense. 

Sometimes it takes the grace of God to just do - to just be kind even when your heart wants to lash out because holy hell it just doesn't make any sense.  

And somehow, the over-analyzing, the assumptions just fade away with a little prayer and a lot of loving your neighbor. 

~

Preachy? Sure. True? Hell yeah. 

Just some revelations from your friendly neighborhood human,

~The WordShaker