GRRM’s concept of the architect and the gardener as the two types of writers is one of those AHA! concepts whose power derives from its combination of familiarity and novelty - the familiarity of content, and the novelty of articulation.

(2:01)

Writing being central to my identity, I’ve been conscious of the changes in my style and process over the years.

My early writing was almost pure gardener.

The further I’ve advanced into formal education, however, the more I’ve been taught to approach writing as an architect.

The first teacher who ever taught me to embrace writing as a gardener was @MrZiebarth, who started the year by having us read two pieces about writing.

The first: @DCoffeen's "Essay," a beautiful piece articulating the exhilaration of letting language lead and discovery follow.

The second: @paulg's "Age of the Essay."

As GRRM says the gardener throws a seed into a hole, waters it & hopes for something interesting; Graham says to write a river & to "flow interesting" - to allow curiosity to chart the path to surprise, and find joy & insight on the way.

As a writer, I've come to use and appreciate both types of writing. I derive great satisfaction from the organization and foresight of architecture. At the same time, I delight in the surprise, the movement and the insight of gardening.

(All photos in this thread by me.)