Writing
Write with your reader in mind
Develop a writing process
Observe the writing of others
Prioritise clarity
Use your personal voice
Add style
Write continuously
Find a unique purpose
1) Write with your reader in mind.
Clear and purposeful prose is the result of understanding the reader’s perspective. This enables a balance between simplicity and effectiveness. Warren Buffet imagines writing to his grandmother to guide the tone and content of his pieces. This choice leads to a certain vocabulary, tone, and references. In order to engage in dialogue you must be able to speak in the language of your reader. Only then can you begin to get your point across and develop a conversation.
2) Develop a writing process.
A clear process enables better writing and reduces the likelihood of blocks. This is because different stages of writing requires different mindsets. They are therefore best separated. The initial aim is to develop ideas. This can be a stage which begins years in advance of publication as ideas and experiences are jotted down. Once the concepts and information are coalescing, a clear framework then gives structure to the writing. The next stage, the first draft, is an uninterrupted stream of consciousness. Then the final, but often repeated stage, is of editing and revision. It is unhelpful to be in an editing mindset mid flow, or creative mindset when collecting ideas. So it's best to compartmentalise these sections.
3) Observe the writing of others.
To develop your skill and style it's helpful to pay attention to how other people write. The work of the all time greats is a good start, as imitation is a starting point for much creativity. However, this is best blended with the writing of contemporaries. This is because writing and particularly rhetoric is a two way process. It’s like an arms race, the styles that work in one era wont in another. To be at the forefront of those changes helps develop writing at its most effective. Reading actively will help you spot these trends and perhaps even get ahead of them.
4) Prioritise clarity.
Make one point at a time. Each point should flow from the previous one to build the required picture or argument sentence by sentence. This requires clarity in your own mind which is then translated on to paper. We write as we think and our thoughts are not always linear which is why writing can default to a jumble. This is not a problem in itself, you can write yourself to an argument. It is simply that distilled thoughts are more effective. This benefits the writer as well as foolish writing can create foolish thoughts. A good rule is to value brevity and simplicity above all. Delete unnecessary modifiers, cut words where possible and avoid operators. Front loading paragraphs and sentences with the most important information can also help.
5) Use your personal voice.
It's impossible to be truly objective. Your writing creates a frame through which to view the world. As yourself, unconstrained, your descriptions of the world are more truthful. Therefore, it is helpful to write in a directly emotional way and err on the side of vulnerability. It is only by having opinions that you find out the common truth. A passive voice reduces clarity and purpose and tends to distance the writer from his words. However, there is also no need to over elaborate or emphasise, simply be true to the situation.
6) Add style.
Once the fundamentals are in place there is scope for decoration. Style plays an important role in conveying message. Similes and alliteration enable concepts to stick in the mind. Repetition creates a sense of momentum. Sentence and paragraph length can affect rhythm. Tropes and metaphors add depth. Suspense and rewards maintain attention. Be careful to avoid cliches, they demonstrate a lack of original thought. Your vocabulary is your toolkit, so feel free to develop it with a thesaurus. However, bear in mind, if your reader can’t understand your writing you’re wasting everyone’s time. A good test is to read out loud to test for scansion. Language was first spoken and then written so it is when read aloud that its impact is fully understood.
7) Write continuously.
Prolific, consistent writers seem to become the best. This should come as no surprise as the benefits of practice are well known. Most seem to build a routine around the morning and have a word or time minimum. They know that producing writing is a job and do not shirk from their responsibilities to it. Sometimes it helps to ‘warm up’ by writing about yourself or your day to get in the mood and avoid staring at a blank page. When you’re a less experienced writer this is even a good way to develop your skills. Simply get words on the page, break them up and reassemble them. If you're stuck take small chunks. Don’t pressure yourself, feel free to take a break and let your subconscious deal with the issues. The support of a network or core team can also help to motivate and keep you on track.
8) Find a unique purpose.
It is important to be sure of why you’re writing so you can write more effectively. This also helps the reader to know why it's important. When these motivations to read and write overlap is where words can have a lasting impact. The thread of this one point should run clearly through the piece. To make this as clear as possible, focus on what is unique, why you are the right person to write this piece. Then provoke the interaction and connect it to the wider world. Where possible show the point you're trying to make rather than telling it. Description and imagery are much more powerful. Your job is to help your reader see different perspectives, literally and figuratively.
Resources:
