3 Writing Lessons from the Book Bird by Bird

The content should reflect the emotions of the writer

I recently read Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.

The author has given a few techniques to improve your writing. As a new writer, I found it quite helpful.

I have compiled the major writing lessons from the book that can enhance your writing quality and build a connection with your readers.

Let’s dive in.

Write more to understand your writing

A few months ago, I complained about not getting content ideas to write about.

I was not writing daily. I waited for the weekends to write.

So, the quantity of writing was less.

Now, I write daily. I publish on the weekends.

When I write daily on any subject that interests me, it benefits me in the following ways.

The writing speed increases
I write more words

Writing is a continuous self-discovery. On day 1, you will not know what you want to write about. I never knew.

As you write, you figure out what works for you.

Initially, I used to write about anything that I liked. After some time, I started to analyze what topics I liked and what my readers wanted. A combination of these two is my focal point.

I figured it out after writing daily.

Write crappy first drafts. Let all the emotions flow in the first draft. Then you do editing.

Initially, I started the first draft in the editing mode.

It was a mistake.

Every time my brain stops to correct the grammar, it obstructs the creativity flow.

It has the following disadvantages.

Writing speed decreases.
The creative ideas get lost.

So now, I write the first draft in the flow state. I write down whatever comes to my mind. It helps me in the following ways.

The emotions reflected in the writing bind the readers to the content.
My writing speed increases because there is no delay in capturing all the writing ideas that come to my mind. The ideas fly away when I write and edit at the same time.

Don’t fake your writing. Your readers will understand.

Consistent writing is necessary to build a relationship with your readers. Imagine your writing is connecting with hundreds of people whom you have not seen. Why will they trust you if they see your content occasionally?

So you have to write consistently.

Consistency happens when there is authenticity.

So, you cannot fake your writing. For example, you are writing about life lessons you learned from trekking without actually going on a trek.

Your readers can understand because there will be no emotions in the writing that only the experiences can give you.

The readers will not connect with you through your writing.

Summary

To conclude, below are the writing lessons from the book that you can apply to build a connection with the readers.

Write more to understand what works for you.
Don’t write and edit at the same time.
Do not fake in your writing.