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Erika (Franziska Yao) Siao's avatar

1. I write a lot to process my emotions, and usually I learn something that I hadn't identified prior.

2. I think I just let words flow through, and whatever happens happens (rather than a strategic process of what to write or not)

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Jared Rosner's avatar

Are there differences when you write for an audience vs for your own processing?

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Melody Ding's avatar

1. I always took writing classes in college for the opportunity to feel productive (i.e be graded) while diving into random topics that I want to learn about. For example, I was excited about the entrepreneurial world at Berkeley and used a cultural writing assignment as an excuse to interview an inspiring female entrepreneur that I met at a hackathon. This gave me insight into and motivation to work in tech. I find it more difficult now to motivate myself to explore the outside world through writing, so it’s become more of a mental exercise.

2. Same as Dan. I think more about what I want to write about, which are currently topics to expand my imagination and perspective.

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Juliet St. Germain's avatar

Unapologetically write!!

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Dan's avatar

1. In university I wrote a piece about living without a phone for 4 months. I shared it with my friends and classmates which started a dialogue about their relationships with technology and social media. I learned a lot from hearing about their experiences and comparing/contrasting with my own experiences. I have a healthier relationship with technology now.

2. I don’t frame it as what not to write about, but rather what to prioritize writing about given a finite number of hours in a day. I prioritize topics that I’m passionate about, as well as topics where I want to expand my perspective.

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Jared Rosner's avatar

Thank you! I’d love to read more of your writing (like this phone piece which sounds dope), if you’re willing to share

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