The Power of Writing: From Pen to Production

Writing has always been a key part of my academic and professional life, starting with my time as an English major and Creative Writing minor at Wake Forest University. I chose English because I didn’t want to lock myself into a narrow field of study. I wanted a major that would help me develop skills like critical thinking, clear communication, and creativity—skills that can be applied in many areas.

Writing isn’t just about putting words on a page; it’s about making arguments, delivering meaningful messages, and creating stories that connect with people. In college, writing taught me how to organize my ideas and present them effectively. Creative writing, in particular, pushed me to think outside the box and break away from the usual ways of looking at things. Fiction lets us imagine new possibilities and explore worlds that give us the freedom to dream and escape from our everyday lives.

Writing is also hard work. Writer’s block is real, and starting a new project can be the hardest part. Once I got going, though, it was much easier to build momentum. I’ll admit that I pulled my fair share of all-nighters to finish papers, but those papers always got done and were well-received. Out of the hundreds of papers I wrote, only a handful earned less than a B. Writing regularly helped me develop a rhythm and work ethic that I’ve carried into my career.

When I shifted into video production, I quickly noticed how much writing and video have in common. Both require planning and structure. You need to know your main idea, who your audience is, and the best way to get your point across. These are the same questions I asked myself when writing a paper, and they’re just as important when creating video content.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, where people are constantly scrolling through endless content, videographers have to think carefully about how to tell a story in a way that grabs attention and keeps it. Storyboarding is like outlining a paper—it helps me plan the flow of a video and imagine how it will look and sound. Even when I don’t use a script directly, writing one helps me clarify my ideas and ensures that the visuals and audio work together to strengthen the message.

Both writing and video production are skills that take time and effort to master. You’re always learning and improving with each project. It’s about experimenting, trying new approaches, and pushing yourself to grow creatively.

At their core, both writing and video are about storytelling. Whether I’m writing a narrative or creating a video, the goal is to connect with people through stories that inspire, educate, or entertain. When you approach storytelling with intention and creativity, you can create something truly powerful. Writing and video are different tools, but together, they open up incredible opportunities to share ideas and make an impact.

Crafting stories with words and visuals: where writing meets video production to inspire, educate, and connect #RyanGlassProductions #Storytelling #Writing