Warning: Pet-Peeve Ranting Ahead

I ran into something in an online writers’ discussion group forum that has ruffled my feathers a bit… and you get to hear about it.  [Oh, Joy!]

One of the members is promoting his “instant article writing template kit” that turns non-writers into writers overnight. 

I get irritated with similar claims that a 30-minute video can teach you to play the piano.  For all of us who had to endure years of piano lessons and those endless hours of practicing, this “short cut” promise just doesn’t sit well in the pits of our stomachs.

Don’t waste your time learning the notes.  Forget technique; forget the left hand; forget the intent and magic that the composers wanted to convey to you through their compositions.  Forget about the emotions that music stirs within you and others when you infuse yourself into the piece.  Forget all that…

None of that is important. 

Just play the melodies with your right hand and, every once in a while, hit a chord or two with the left hand, and you’re playing the piano. 

Yes.  You are, technically, playing the piano, but can you emotionally move people with what you’re doing?  Are you a pianist?  Are you an artist? 

In my mind, not all those who play the piano are pianists; not all those who sing are vocalists or performers; not all those who draw are artists; therefore, not all those who communicate in writing are writers. 

I know that article writing templates kits are useful.  They save time and help people organize their thoughts quickly.  Organization and structure is necessary for any type of oral or written communication.

Organization and focus is needed to successfully get your point across.  I cannot and will not deny that. 

I also cannot deny that many people are poor communicators, because they don’t organize and structure their thoughts and ideas.  Ultimately, these types of kits would promote better written communication.

So, what’s my beef?  I think I would have an easier time with their marketing program, if they said their kit improves communication skills… instead of saying the kit can turn non-writers into writers. 

Their structure ignores the creativity, imagination, and unique perspective that transform the written word into an emotional experience.

Many may not think that this distinction is important, but I do.

As a side note:  I ran across an excellent video, RSAnimate—Changing Education Paradigms, by Sir Ken Robinson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U ) that highlights society’s tendency to mass produce education to a formatted standard, while it organizes and formats creativity and divergent thinking to extinction.

So, it looks like there will be more of this type of thinking going on… and more ranting on my part. 

I’m just warning you…


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