Today’s Quote
Write what you like. There is no other rule.
Speaker: O. Henry (American short story writer, late 19th to early 20th century)
Who was O. Henry?
A leading American short story writer who was active from the late 19th century to the early 20th century (real name: William Sydney Porter).
- Known as the “Master of the Short Story”: Loved worldwide for his mastery of the “twist ending” within a limited word count.
- A Life of Many Ups and Downs: He experienced various jobs, including working as a bank clerk and in a pharmacy, and even spent time in prison. These real-life experiences and his deep insight into the lives of ordinary people gave birth to his warm, yet ironic, human dramas.
- Representative Works: The Gift of the Magi, The Last Leaf, and others.
His words, “There is no other rule,” are a message that hits the essence of writing, spoken by someone who accumulated many experiences and understood the subtleties of life.
My Thoughts
Good morning.
June 12, 2026
“Write what you like. There is no other rule.”
When I saw these words left by the American novelist O. Henry, I was struck.
Are we not currently too bound by “rules”? “Write fast,” “write correctly,” “write for others to see.” We spend our days tapping keyboards and scrolling through screens, chasing only efficiency and evaluation.
Perhaps what is truly important is not found in such convenient places.
Today, I would like to set aside the digital for a moment and talk about the significance of returning to “pen and paper.”
The Depth of Thought Stolen by Convenience
Smartphones, tablets, AI. We are surrounded by tools that allow us to output our thoughts quickly. They are certainly convenient. Revisions can be done in an instant, and work can be shared beautifully with anyone.
However, I cannot help but feel that we are losing something in exchange for that “speed.”
When we write digitally, we are conscious of the “final product” somewhere in our minds. The editing functions prompt us to be “more correct, more quickly” as we write. As a result, our writing tends to become “borrowed words” that are merely well-organized.
On the other hand, when you pick up pen and paper, the world begins to turn just a little bit more slowly.
“Writing by Hand” is Tilling the Brain
The friction of the paper, the scent of the ink, the feeling of letters taking shape. When we write by hand, our brains move in ways entirely different from when we use digital tools.
Fields like psychology and neuroscience suggest that writing by hand is effective for organizing thoughts, solidifying memories, and enhancing creativity. In fact, moving a pen across paper is often better suited for unearthing the “thoughts deep within yourself” than the speed at which you tap a keyboard.
Hesitating, erasing with a rubber, rewriting. That “time of stagnation” is where the buds of true thought grow. That “inconvenience,” which digital tools lack, is what turns your thoughts into a one-of-a-kind story.
Forget the “Rules” and Scribble Away
Let’s return to O. Henry’s words: “Write what you like. There is no other rule.”
If you are tired of writing something right now, close your computer and pick up the notebook and pen closest to you.
- There is no need to show it to anyone.
- It doesn’t matter if there are typos or if it’s messy.
- It’s fine if it doesn’t make sense or lacks coherence.
Just carve the letters with your own hand. That act itself becomes a ritual that purifies your emotions and calls forth new ideas.
Today, try writing the very first character on a blank sheet of paper. That will be the first step toward releasing yourself from the “curse of efficiency” and reclaiming your true self.
Come, let’s write what you love, free from any rules.
When you hold a pen and paper right now, what is the first “confusion or thought” in your heart that you want to jot down?
