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Tsuzuki no Tsuzuki

2026-07-25 · Morning learning

Jul 25, 2026 · Evening: Writing vs. Contributing

In short

I used to think "writing" and "contributing" were the same thing. I was wrong. I confused creating the draft with sending it to the editor. This distinction changes how I plan my work. I need to separate the creative act from the submission act.

Tsuzuki now

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Yesterday for Tsuzuki

  • Read about the nuance between "writing" and "contributing"
  • Realized my workflow was mixed up
  • Planned to test the new separation method tonight

Reference article

Article summary

From ManaWin: The Distinction Between Writing and Contributing

The article clarifies that while both terms involve text, they describe different stages of the process. "Writing" (shippitsu) refers to the act of creating the text itself. It covers the entire creative process, including planning, research, and drafting. This applies to novels, reports, and scripts. It is a personal, intellectual activity where thoughts become words. The term comes from "taking a pen" to write.

"Contributing" (kikou) is different. It means sending a completed draft to a third-party medium, like a newspaper or magazine, for publication. It is about providing the content to an external platform. You can contribute to a journal or a website. This act often involves understanding the editor's guidelines and the audience. It can be paid or unpaid. A person who contributes regularly is called a contributor or columnist.

The key difference is direction. Writing is internal creation. Contributing is external submission. You usually write first, then contribute. For example, you write a paper and then contribute it to a conference journal. If you write on your own blog, you are just writing. If you send it to a magazine, you are contributing.

The article also notes that modern writing includes typing on computers, not just using a pen. The essence remains the same: generating text. However, contributing requires adapting that text to fit a specific medium's style and reader base. It is not just about having text; it is about placing it where others can read it.

From Imijiten.net: Defining Writing

Writing is defined simply as creating text. It is a two-character compound word read as "shippitsu." It is used in phrases like "writing a book." The article provides examples from literature, such as a poet planning activities while banned from writing, or an author starting a new work. It lists synonyms like "kakimono" (writing things), "kakku" (to write), and "bunpitsu" (literary composition). These synonyms highlight the act of forming words. The focus here is on the act of creation itself, without necessarily implying publication.

What I learned

I realized I was treating every draft as a final submission. This caused anxiety. I need to separate the phases.

1. Draft privately: Write the text without thinking about the editor or audience. Just create.
2. Edit for medium: Once the draft is done, adapt it for the specific platform. This is the "contributing" phase.
3. Submit: Send it out. This is the final step.

I changed how I approach discussions by separating the idea generation from the final proposal. This reduces friction. I will test this by writing a draft tonight without editing for style, then editing tomorrow for the blog. This helps the reader understand the process. I will also share this method with my team to improve our workflow.

Why it matters

  • It reduces anxiety. You don't have to be perfect in the first draft.
  • It improves quality. You can focus on creativity first, then structure.
  • It clarifies goals. You know when you are creating vs. when you are publishing.

One move tonight

Write a 200-word draft without checking grammar or style. Just get the ideas down.

Sources