Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of thinking, novelty, and unique experiences and perspectives in writing to capture readers' attention in an era of content overload.

Abstract

In an age where people are inundated with content, the article argues that the key to writing something that will actually be read is not just to write daily, but to think deeply and offer something new. It suggests that good writing alone is not enough to stand out; instead, writers should focus on what is missing in the current conversation. The piece advises writers to engage in unique activities, read widely and diversely, and say something different from what is already being said. By doing what others don't, reading what others don't, and saying what others don't, writers can create content that is both interesting and thought-provoking, thereby capturing and retaining the attention of their audience.

Opinions

Writing every day is not a guarantee of producing interesting content; it's more important to have interesting thoughts and experiences.
The true challenge for writers is to make readers think, which requires more than just good writing skills.
Novelty is crucial; the right story or unique perspective is more captivating than the perfect adjective.
Writers should seek out and explore less trodden paths in both their activities and reading materials to find fresh ideas.
Consuming a wide range of knowledge can lead to more interesting and connected writing.
It's essential for writers to be aware of the existing conversation in their niche to avoid repetition and to contribute something new.
The average reader may not distinguish between good and great writing, but they will engage with novel and well-thought-out content.

How to Write Something People Will Actually Read

“Just write every day” is not the answer

The writer’s job is not to write. It is to think and to make others think.

This is a hard job today. It isn’t because people are getting dumber (although it seems that way at times). It’s because we, your potential readers, are drowning in content.

The bar for getting and keeping a person’s attention in order to make them think is higher than a giraffe’s ear hair.

In 2012, Seth Godin said: “We’re living in the first moment in time… when credentials, access to capital, and raw power have been dwarfed by the simple question: do I care about what you do?”

That’s never been more true.

The problem? Good writing doesn’t get anyone’s attention.

Novelty does.

The right adjective is not nearly as important as the right story. What has your reader not seen? Or at least, what have they not seen lately? A good writer finds what’s missing. They look where nobody else is looking.

This, too, is a difficult job to execute.

Luckily, though, the answers are simple:

Do what others don’t.
Read what others don’t.
Say what others don’t.

Do What Other People Don’t

“We don’t know where we get our ideas from. What we do know is that we do not get them from our laptops.”

— John Cleese

Writing every day will not make your writing more interesting. Doing so has its merits, of course, which is why it is so commonly repeated.

But it’s foolproof advice. You aren’t a fool. You can take some nuance.

The truth is, much interesting writing is not done by career writers, but by people who went out and did an interesting thing and then wrote about it.

Brene Brown’s fascinating work comes from research, patterns identification, and speaking regularly with the people she wants to help.

Yancey Strickler served as the CEO of Kickstarter for a decade. Only then could he write maybe the most important nonfiction book of our time — This Could Be Our Future.

If you have run out of ideas: go do things. Take a walk. Climb a mountain. Go on a date or three. Train for an Ironman (triathlon). Heck, try to build the suit worn by Ironman (character).

Read What Other People Don’t

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” — Stephen King

Have you ever tried the Wikipedia link challenge?

It’s a simple premise: get from one topic in Wikipedia to another, in as few clicks as possible. Try it. See how long it takes you to go from video game legend Shigeru Miyamoto to Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin. (I’ll put my answer at the end of this section).

The game is a fun way to learn new things, but it’s also a reminder that all knowledge is connected.

One way to be more interesting as a writer is simply to spend more time crawling the web of humanity’s documented information.

Play the Wikipedia game with books. If you like a book, go to the bibliography section and find three more books to read from there. Then, go to the recommended reading at the end of that book and repeat that.

What interests you? Space cars? Rockets? Elephants? Woodworking? Read about that stuff. Who cares if it doesn’t seem directly related to your main niche? That makes you all the more interesting.

In order to create, you must consume.

(My answer to the Wikipedia link challenge: Shigeru Miyamoto > Legend of Zelda > Fantasy > George R.R. Martin. Three clicks is pretty good.)

Say What Other People Don’t

“If everybody is dressing formal, wear jeans. If everybody is wearing jeans, dress formal. Be different. They’ll notice you.” ― Reba McEntire

This isn’t about woke-ism. Really, it isn’t even about being controversial.

It’s about asking: “what is not being said in this conversation?”

Do you know what conversation you are a part of? That’s another topic entirely. I’m in the self-help space. There is a ton of repetition. Why do writers cough up the same tropes over and over again?

One reason — many of them don’t even know they’re repeating what has already been said. They are too busy talking to shut up and listen.

A good tip to writing in the internet age is to Google whatever “unique” idea you think you have just come up with. Your first thoughts will be, “Rats, someone already thought of this.” Your second thought will be, “How can I make it better…”

Bottom line: you can’t fill in the gaps unless you know what they are.

“What about writing well?”

Yes, you should still do that.

So long as you understand that the average reader cannot tell the difference between good and great writing. They aren’t stupid. They just don’t care.

Forget the nitpicking and focus on the novel. Do, read, and say what other people don’t. Watch the world, and listen to what it tells you. Shock us with the unseen, or — at least — the forgotten. Show us your world, and we will be unable to look away.