abrahamKim

shared this line in a post - "I want to tell stories that affect people emotionally."

Reading that line - I wanted to highlight it immediately. Like I did back when I used to read paper books. I used to do that when something resonates with me. I call them aha moments. This doesn't happen very often.

When I watch George Carlin stand-up comedy - I find a lot of those moments. He has a way of articulating something in such a brilliant way. I find myself thinking - that's how I feel but would have never thought of saying it that way.

When I read a nicely written memoir - I find a lot of those moments. Particularly man's search for meaning (my #1 fav book). Also Americanna by Chimamande Adiche... it is fiction but there is a lot of speculation that it is based on her life around her immigration to the US from Nigeria. I connected with a lot of her experiences and thoughts.

So when I read Sir Abe say that he likes to tell stories that affect people, I thought, that is what I want to do as well. Especially since I love psychology and find so much similarity in people from different corners of the world. I want to be able to write with the type of clarity and honesty that people can easy connect to. I want the reader to see themselves in my experiences. I remember reading

therealbrandonwilson

's post on medium about his relationship with apple products - which was more about his amazing relationship with his father. That piece is beautiful and made me cry. I can't forget that writing. I remember

abrahamKim

writing a letter to his friend Lee... I cried then too and can't forget how I felt reading that piece. 

I remember telling someone that I want to write in such a way that makes the reader cry. I didn't realize I wanted that as a goal before saying it out loud. Though I am now actively looking to improve humor in my writing, my primary goal is what Sir Abe said - connect with the reader emotionally.... to the point of tears. That is a true connection.

Most times, my best writing happens as I am weeping myself. So I love the idea that my readers can join me. I remember

GabrielGreco

once commenting on my Mustafa post with a similar sentiment in a reply post. And that made feel like I accomplished my mission. 

Here's to identifying our why and perfecting our writing skills - one day at a time.