The Naked Redhead blogs about dating, love, and sometimes squirrels on her aptly named blog, The Naked Redhead. She hails from Columbus, OH, and lives with her dog, two cats and hunky boyfriend.
A reader asked me recently how to write, citing specifically that she has trouble getting emotions from heart to page. While I was flattered to be asked to share this advice (seriously, I say “fuck” a lot…I’m not sure this qualifies as being an expert writer), I began to think back on the steps I took to be a better writer. Lo and behold, I came up with three essential steps that every writer should keep in her toolbox. Read away, Internetz, and then go write something! (There will be a test. Results will be back in five to seven days. If there is burning or itching in the meantime, see your doctor.)
1. Honesty is key. I really did not get comfortable with writing until I learned how to be honest. I know that seems like maybe an obvious piece of advice...however, I did have to train myself to actually write what I mean. So, I started doing personal journaling where I forced myself to write EXACTLY what I was thinking. For example, don't write "poop" when you're thinking "shit", don't write "make love" when you're thinking "fuck". I found that I was censoring and editing myself a lot, and when I forced myself to write uncensored in my personal writing, I was able to write more honestly for an audience.
2. Write every day. Ugh, I used to hate this phrase in college: "Good writers write always." I would think to myself, "Well, I can write well, I don't need to write every day." Wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I think the blogging world is a little different, because readers expect regular posts, but it wasn't until I began writing (nearly) every day that I saw a spike in my readership or improvement in my style. Even if I'm not publishing something, I'm writing: writing a speech for my Toastmaster's group, writing an e-mail, writing a paper. If you don't have the initial discipline to write on your own every day, join a class or a group where you will be forced to write regularly. You'll be surprised at how the words start to flow.
3. Find your voice. Write like who you are. Learn to write in the same way that you speak and think (though obviously within most of the rules of good grammar and syntax. Really, there is nothing worse than visiting a blog where everything is all “omg u wer so awesome lol on mi blkberri, lmao!!111!”). My verbal conversations are almost always light, a little snarky, and wry. It took me a long time to begin to write this way, because I think I thought that, “people can hear me talk, why would they want to read the same thing?” But they do, because, again, your true writing voice stems from an honest place. Don’t copy…I effing love to read Agent Lover (www.agentlover.com), but if I tried to write the way she writes, my audience wouldn’t buy it. Finding a voice takes time--sometimes you'll find it just sort of "evolves"--but, if you're being honest and writing every day, it'll come sooner than you think.
One last little tidbit: good writers are also readers. Read great blogs like Yes and Yes, The Naked Redhead (shameless personal plug! WOOO!), or The Fierce Beagle. Pay attention to who they link to, and read those guys, too. You’ll find that your words flow better when you’re reading good stuff. Get writing!
A reader asked me recently how to write, citing specifically that she has trouble getting emotions from heart to page. While I was flattered to be asked to share this advice (seriously, I say “fuck” a lot…I’m not sure this qualifies as being an expert writer), I began to think back on the steps I took to be a better writer. Lo and behold, I came up with three essential steps that every writer should keep in her toolbox. Read away, Internetz, and then go write something! (There will be a test. Results will be back in five to seven days. If there is burning or itching in the meantime, see your doctor.)
1. Honesty is key. I really did not get comfortable with writing until I learned how to be honest. I know that seems like maybe an obvious piece of advice...however, I did have to train myself to actually write what I mean. So, I started doing personal journaling where I forced myself to write EXACTLY what I was thinking. For example, don't write "poop" when you're thinking "shit", don't write "make love" when you're thinking "fuck". I found that I was censoring and editing myself a lot, and when I forced myself to write uncensored in my personal writing, I was able to write more honestly for an audience.
2. Write every day. Ugh, I used to hate this phrase in college: "Good writers write always." I would think to myself, "Well, I can write well, I don't need to write every day." Wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I think the blogging world is a little different, because readers expect regular posts, but it wasn't until I began writing (nearly) every day that I saw a spike in my readership or improvement in my style. Even if I'm not publishing something, I'm writing: writing a speech for my Toastmaster's group, writing an e-mail, writing a paper. If you don't have the initial discipline to write on your own every day, join a class or a group where you will be forced to write regularly. You'll be surprised at how the words start to flow.
3. Find your voice. Write like who you are. Learn to write in the same way that you speak and think (though obviously within most of the rules of good grammar and syntax. Really, there is nothing worse than visiting a blog where everything is all “omg u wer so awesome lol on mi blkberri, lmao!!111!”). My verbal conversations are almost always light, a little snarky, and wry. It took me a long time to begin to write this way, because I think I thought that, “people can hear me talk, why would they want to read the same thing?” But they do, because, again, your true writing voice stems from an honest place. Don’t copy…I effing love to read Agent Lover (www.agentlover.com), but if I tried to write the way she writes, my audience wouldn’t buy it. Finding a voice takes time--sometimes you'll find it just sort of "evolves"--but, if you're being honest and writing every day, it'll come sooner than you think.
One last little tidbit: good writers are also readers. Read great blogs like Yes and Yes, The Naked Redhead (shameless personal plug! WOOO!), or The Fierce Beagle. Pay attention to who they link to, and read those guys, too. You’ll find that your words flow better when you’re reading good stuff. Get writing!
10 comments:
Fantastic advice!
This is a great post! I struggle with my own voice, but I have started daily writing meditation which basically means I just write freely for three pages in my notebook each morning. I just know it's helping already! Plus I love finding new, inspiring and interesting blogs to read :)
Yay! I love you TNR!
*tear*, sniff You like me! I was just about to leave a comment saying fantastic advice, and then saw your link to my blog and seriously nearly cried. That means a lot.
Seriously, though, very thoughtful advice. #2 is a good one--and that's part of why I started a blog, to have accountability to write (almost) every day.
Thanks for the much needed tips. I have the biggest problem with the "writing everyday" thing, as I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator...or more so, I just feel like I have nothing to write about. I always find, though, that once I buckle down and start writing something, the words just flow. Now if I could just figure out a way to put as much effort into writing as I put into checking Tumblr. Gah.
Thanks, guys! :)
Great advice, thank you.
Awesome. I enjoyed this =)
This is seriously good advice!! Especially number 3, people can tell a phoney straight away when you're trying to imitate what you think is your voice but is in fact not.
Thanks!
ALL excellent advice. In my experience, finding my voice is the hardest - but most rewarding when you're on the right track and everything flows!
www.thewineglassmanifesto.blogspot.com
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