Self-Taught

Years ago, I read the book The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, and it left an impression on me for multiple reasons. The first thing I remember is that, as soon as I finished reading it, I wanted to throw it across the room. (I’m not big on spoilers so I won’t explain why, but the ending created a visceral reaction for me.) The second thing I remember is realizing that the language seemed “different,” and I realized it was related to the fact that the book had originally been written in French and was later translated into English and several other languages. The translator had chosen words that some people would not use every day in the United States, and that leads me to the final realization. I learned the word autodidact which means a self-taught person, and self-taught describes one of the characters perfectly.

While I have been blessed to attend college, I also spent many years paying back loans for that blessing so I earned every last minute of that degree through hard work. One of the things that I continue to do is educate myself outside of the classroom setting because my parents encouraged me to read as much as possible and ask questions. As I explore writing career options, I find books, libraries, YouTube, other bloggers, and published authors to be a valuable source of information.

One bookcase in my office space contains a variety of titles to help me learn, and I also have several of my favorite books there as inspiration. I keep titles by a variety of authors such as Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Charlotte Bronte, Grace Livingston Hill, Robert Frost, and Charles Martin. Each of the books by these writers has caused me to truly feel an emotion while I read their books, and I want to be that kind of writer.

I also keep a copy of On Writing by Stephen King on this bookcase because his total honesty about becoming a published writer gives me hope and courage. I have three copies of The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White because this is the classic guide to basic good writing skills. I also keep an old Harbrace Handbook and a copy of The Little, Brown Handbook for more in-depth writing questions. I even have my APA style guide hanging out there for when I need to make a reference in my blog. Next to all of these titles are other titles I haven’t even read yet because they pertain to something I need to learn about writing.

I remember reading somewhere that good writers read a lot of books, and it makes sense that you become a better writer by reading other writers. That’s why there are stacks of books hanging around my house. I enjoy reading, and it provides the added benefits of improving my writing skills and teaching me something.

Whether you like to read or prefer to consume content through audio or video, be sure to educate yourself as you continue the process of changing careers. You may learn valuable information and skills that will help in a future job, and you may be able to pass that knowledge on to help someone else. As I read new titles, I’ll continue to share them with you, and I’ll add them to the Resources page. Just because you aren’t in a classroom setting anymore doesn’t mean you have to – or should – stop learning. Plus, the benefit of learning on your own is you can set your schedule, timeline, and interests. Keep expanding your knowledge even if it is learning a new crafting skill. Exercising your brain with new information will always be beneficial.

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Inspirational Verse for the Day:

I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths. (Proverbs 4:11, CSB)