Are you a novice writer just starting out in the realm of digital content, or are you a seasoned expert seeking tips on writing better?
As a word nerd who is currently working on her own book, here are a few of my favorite writing tips you can use to hone your creative art and increase readership.
1. Nurture Your Brain. Read More. I have been reading for as long as I can remember. I was the kid in bed at midnight, under the covers with a flashlight, hanging out with The Babysitters Club, getting lost in the world of Sweet Valley High, and giving myself nightmares from devouring anything by Richie Tankersley Cusick.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve discovered the importance of reading different types of content by different types of people. Being exposed to a variety of cultures (Memoirs of a Geisha), opinions (How to Be an Anti-Racist), and lifestyles (Over the Top) through both fiction and nonfiction is a hell of a way to boost your own way of thinking. Unlike listening to or watching something, reading gives your brain a chance to pause, think, and process.
2. Mind-Mapping. Remember making bubble charts and tree graphs in elementary school? It’s time to bring it back. A mind map helps you tap into the knowledge and memories deep inside your head and release them out into the world. All you need is a blank piece of paper, a pen, and 15 minutes. I find writing it out the old-school way works best for me, as it allows the ideas to continuously flow.
In the center, write your idea. From here, branch out with all the related ideas that enter your mind surrounding this idea or topic. Don’t censor yourself. Simply get those concepts on paper as fast as you can to build momentum. The more you can exhaust the possibilities in this stage, the more efficient and fun the actual writing process will be.
3. Write for Yourself. Make yourself happy with every word you put on your page and be proud of who you are. When you like what you’re writing, you have a deeper connection to it, and it shines through in your work. The second you pretend to be someone else, your writing will suffer. Writing is hard enough. By trying to be someone you’re not, you’re making it even harder.
4. Write for Someone Else. There are others like you out there who will benefit from reading your words. These are your “ideal readers.” Write to them. This instantly helps you find your voice, with each writing decision being based around what these readers will resonate with most. You want them to feel you are writing to them specifically.
5. Orwell’s Second Rule of Writing. “Never use a long word where a short one will do,” George Orwell said. “If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.” Therein lies the brilliance of Orwell’s writing, which is renowned for being clear and unequivocal. You may enjoy waxing poetic and embracing your knowledge of “big words,” but it does not mean that your intended audience will want to read it. Simplicity is key.
By: Jenn Garner
Jenn is a Senior Editor at Technica Editorial
