Most of us love writing with the metaphorical windows open. Sometimes, though, we’ve got to close them. Knowing how to manage our open attention is part of the job of being a writer.

By comparing our life to well-known stories, we can see narrative structures and story arcs that might otherwise escape us. This might just open up new ways of creating the narratives of our lives, or expand our storytelling skills.

Writing for me sometimes feels like herding a bunch of goats into a likely area, and then letting them forage. It’s a little messy and imprecise. The results may be a little ragged. But it’s also fun to see what happens.

When we think of improving our vocabulary, we usually look for longer, more impressive words. This exercise encourages us to look for shorter ones.

Books, articles, and blog posts that explain ideas fill their purpose only when someone learns and remembers the content. Adding “more” simply crowds out that process.