Writing as an Exercise in Wisdom

Learning what we think by reading what we say

An editor who was haranguing Flannery O’Connor to outline her work before she wrote her books received her sharp rebuttal:

I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.

There is a lot truth to her observation, truth that extends beyond writing in one’s personal journal—although that is often a great place to start writing. It is true …