Editor’s Picks— Top 10: A Civilized Writer — The Best Way to Jinx Your Writing Journey

Let’s have a look at our top 10 stories today

I had been watching David Goggins’ motivation video¹. But before that, I saw Professor Mark Ott tear down² Ernest Hemingway for being a racist, misogynist, and an anti-feminist³.

In a way, every one of us is Dr Jackal and Mr Hyde, good and evil, civilized and boorish. You choose to show one side of you at the time you meet someone.

“AGH. I won’t let her bore me for full five minutes,” a civilized writer seems boring to a reader these days. Why? I’ll explain in a minute.

Here is an excerpt about voices in our heads — David Goggins is talking f**king poetry. If you are below 18, you may put your hands on your eyes — or skip it.

“It’s that one voice. That voice I used to love to f****** hear. That we all love to hear. It’s that soft mother*****. That soft mother****** voice that says, “Sleep the f**k in! It’s okay.” It’s that coddling voice. You want to be hugged. And nurtured. And all that s**t. That says, “It’s going to be okay.” Well, there’s another motherf****** voice that wakes you up in the middle of the night. It’s that f****** demonic voice whispering in your f****** ear. And it says, “Get up mother******!” “You’re not f****** good enough.” “You got to work f****** hard.” “You haven’t put enough time in.” It’s that voice you want to run away from. It’s that voice you don’t want to f****** hear. But guess what? It’s that voice you need to f****** listen to. Every first strike that hits the pavement. That’s how I feed myself. Motherf****** look for inspiration. Inspiration is found in every first step you take.”

That is what you are competing against — add music and amazing gym scenes to it on top. Now compare your article on self-doubt with this sh*t — It would be like comparing a fully clothed demure Amish girl to a hot and nude pornstar.

Do you get why readers may not like to read your civilized story? What grabs the attention of your readers — and holds their interest? That is the kind of content you have to create.

But before realizing how I was jinxing my writing journey with decent content, I had watched a video² about Ernest ******* Hemingway, “So Ugly, So Beautiful.”

Mark Ott has written three books about Hemingway. He goes on to argue how Hemingway used Paul Cezanne’s aesthetic principles in his writing. Hemingway was impressed by Cezanne’s paintings in 1924. Then Mark explains how he did it.

In simple words, Ernest Hemingway hid deeper meanings into words he chose to describe his scenes. If you read Hemingway’s “a very short story,” you’d probably not notice anything anti-feminist.

Hemingway, and all the greats, know how to hide their incivility in plain sight. Or maybe not. Henry Miller writes in Tropic of Cancer: “I am f**king you, Tania, so that you’ll stay f**ked. And if you are afraid of being f**ked publicly I will f**k you privately. I will tear off a few hairs from your c**t and paste them on Boris’ chin. I will bite into your c****ris and spit out two franc pieces…” I think you see my point.

Subtle or not, the world of words keeps evolving. You must have read the book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. There are many other titles like Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern, quotes from his foul-mouthed father, A**holes Finish First, The Complete A**hole’s Guide to Handling Chicks, Go the F**k to Sleep, and The Little Book of Big F*#k Ups: 220 of History’s Most Regrettable Moments. The list goes on, but you get the idea.

We live in a civilized world. We shouldn’t use such words. Nah. I am just f****** with you. Go ahead, do what it takes to get the reads you deserve.

You are allowed to write in a civilized way — at times. But don’t make a habit of being refined and scholarly all the time.

Here is a list of our top 10 stories today — by writers⁴ definitely not uncivilized but, then, who knows:

10. Why Do You Write?

James Ssekamatte is an artist, engineer, and human on the journey of health wealth, love, and happiness.

He is a fine writer. His writing style is not easy to follow at times but it is honest, humble, and engaging. Do check his other work.

9. How To Get Ahead In Life And Still Watch Your Favorite Show

Thomas Hahn Nutrition Coach & Student writing about Movies, Diet, Health and Fitness. He is living in Vienna.

He is a good writer. I would advise him to start with a personal story. But his writing style is easy to follow, direct, and engaging. Do read it. Tell him if you have any suggestions.

8. 9 Habits That Can Significantly Improve Your Life

Emeka Nwanedo is an experienced finance professional and leadership enthusiast. He loves research and writes to inspire.

He is a good writer. His writing style is simple, direct, and engaging. But he could have added a story in the intro and some quotes supporting his arguments. Do read the piece and give your suggestions.

7. How to Be Self-Motivated

Madoc Maduka is an entrepreneur, writer, and humanitarian.

He is an excellent writer. His writing style is simple, direct, and engaging. One possible suggestion is: ‘You could have used first person in the first and second paragraph of the intro.’ But correct me if I am wrong. Don’t miss this one.

6. The Grass is Brown Everywhere

Adam Prescott is a software engineer & manager of people.

He is an excellent writer. He is writing style is well-researched, thorough, and extremely engaging. One possible suggestion is adding a personal experience at the start of the intro. Do check his other work.

5. How Much is Enough?

Jonathan Isbill MS, RDN is a health & nutrition advocate, MS, RD, reader, writer, and dreamer. He is the owner #ZigZagNutrition Looking for freedom & health in all areas of life.

He is a fine writer. His writing style is thorough, direct, and engaging.

Two possible suggestions are an anecdote at the start and reducing the size of the first paragraph. Your start is your “hook.” Let the reader bite first before you pull them into it. (Sorry sweet readers, I don’t mean to call you fish.)

4. 4 Steps To Beat Anxiety At Work

João V Souza helps entrepreneurs build healthy organizations.

He is a fine writer. His writing style is simple, direct, and engaging. It is almost perfect, in fact. One possible suggestion is to use a personal story at the start. Since you cannot know about anxiety unless you have experienced it. João V Souza is a professional but the readers need a connection at an emotional level.

3. I’m Posting Daily — and So Happy!

Katie Michaelson is a retired therapist who specialised in parenting. She writes on the edge of verse and prose about plants and people and simple things.

She is an excellent writer. Her writing style is honest, personal, and charming.

Here you can see the application of how a skilled writer creates a personal connection. I could not find anything to add. Can you? If you find anything, do let her know. Don’t miss this one.

2. 4 Lessons I Learned by Changing Careers Twice in 4 Years

Alberto Romero is half engineer, half neuroscientist with a deep interest in the humanities.

He is an excellent writer. His writing style is honest, personal, and extremely engaging.

All new writers can learn how to add personality into a piece by reading it. Don’t miss this one. Sorry, I could not find any problem with it.

1. You Deserve Success, So Use These 3 Facts to Help You Get It Faster

She deserves the top slot. “My name is Dawn Bevier, and I am a teacher, thinker, learner, and writer. I love literature and all things “wild, airy, and beautiful.””

She is an outstanding writer. Her writing style is honest, profound, personal, and beyond engaging.

I try to learn from her. Note how she powerfully starts the story. With an intense question, she immediately switches to a personal viewpoint. The way she handles it deserves praise.

After the hook is over, she has fully connected with the reader on an emotional level.

Now she can take the reader into the details of the topic.

This is how we should be trying to write. Don’t miss any story she writes.

This post is part of the Top 10 Series — you can meet 500+ top writers with these links:

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Final Thoughts

If your story was selected in the Top 10, please share another story with a brief introduction and a short convincing review — in the comments. (Please write the review in the third person and start it with your name.)

I must have missed something today. I cannot read every story on Illumination and Illumination-Curated. I try — and fail daily — to read all of the masterpieces.

I am inviting you to join our private Facebook group for Illumination writers. Also please follow my publication — positive minds, and subscribe to my newsletter.

Iꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴀɴʏ ᴍɪsᴛᴀᴋᴇ, ᴛʏᴘᴏ, ᴏʀ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴇʀʀᴏʀ, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴠᴀᴛᴇ ɴᴏᴛᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ. Tʜᴀɴᴋs.

To be included as a top 10 writer, read these curation guidelines carefully.

You can read my curated stories here.

Resources:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV8mIfjwPeM
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WztLYVgjmy0&t=53s
3. https://www.elixirpublishers.com/articles/1350912484_45%20(2012)%207986-7987.pdf
4. Lovely writers, I am suggesting one possible improvement. Do read these Top 10 stories and suggest some changes on our Private Facebook Page. I welcome you to rip my articles apart after you read them. Lol.