My Secret to Great Writing
I’m letting you in on how my brain works
Want to know some writing secrets?
I am feeling generous today, so put aside a couple of minutes and gather around the old screen to learn some writing secrets.
As anything else in life, this works for me. And, it might work for you. But, you’ll have to practice. And, read other’s works. So, there’s no magical way to become a better writer. It just takes practicing.
When you think it will be tough, or you are staring a blank page, or otherwise looking for inspiration, think back to my secrets to great writing and allow your inner muse to bring inspiration.
Don’t worry about following the rules
I start off strong. There are all sorts of articles about how writers need to write following certain rules.
You must use a certain number of H1 headings. Or, maybe H2 headers, or maybe even some H3’s. Or, drop caps. Or, write lists. Or, never use horizontal photographs. Or, never publish a story without a photo.
While there are certain rules that will make it easier for your readers to understand what you are trying to communicate, you don’t have to follow a recipe to create something that will move others.
I told you to not worry about the rules, but certain things you do need to do
You don’t get off easy and get to forget everything you might have learned about writing. Spelling and grammar are important. Unless it is important to the story, try to keep your grammar in line with modern readers’ expectations. It is hard to decode novel writing styles. Especially during these days when there are so many things competing for our attention.
If you write something and it’s hard for me to figure out, I might move on because it will hurt my brain to try to decode it. I’m nice and try to never leave a story early because I know attention is what earns people their living here, but I might think twice if I see someone writes a 35 minute read that will be written in a unique grammatical style that will use up a lot of my processing power to decipher.
This is where reading engagement stats come into use. If you write stories that show a 8 minute estimated read time and people bounce out after a minute and a half, it might be an indication that there are issues with keeping readers engaged.
If it is hard to understand, it is hard to engage a reader.
Don’t worry about writing to impress the critics
Don’t worry about writing something to impress the critics or curators. If you have not been curated yet, you will be one of these days. Sooner or later, if you keep writing and developing your skills, one of your works will attract the attention of those who can boost your story.
In the meantime, build up your audience. I see a lot of first timers who get curated, then seem to fizzle out after getting that first award. Keep writing. Even, if you don’t get curated after that. Nobody really knows how things are done, except that there are only a few curators and thousands and thousands of words being written every minute.
You have to write for your audience and yourself.
Don’t take writing guides too seriously
Don’t take writing guides too seriously. Everyone has their own style. And, their own experiences. And, ways of expressing themselves.
I like using “And” a lot. You might not like that. If I tell you to always make sure to use “And” because a SEO plugin always suggests it in order to get a “green light” on the software’s dashboard, you can comfortably reject the suggestion.
But, if you like using “And” a lot and it makes sense, go for it!
Remember, writers guides are like cliches. Everyone has one. Or, something like that. Maybe that was a mixed metaphor.
Experiment and have fun.
You can always write again
Magazines publish the same couple of stories over and over and over and over. See what I did there. I probably broke some rules that a style guide would suggest you never do. But, it makes a point that sticks in your brain.
Look at any magazine in the checkout line at the grocery store. They have been publishing the same stories, written in different ways, and updated for the times, since paper was invented.
And, people love buying them. I know I like reading them on Kindle. I know the stories will be similar. But, it’s comforting. People like that.
It is the same way with classic stories. People re-write the classics all the time. They change the settings and characters, but you can always spot the outline. The same thing happens in music. Or, any other great artwork.
Build on other’s ideas. Don’t steal their work. But be inspired.
I know I’m using the wisdom that has been handed down the ages from various places to gift you this masterpiece that surely edifies.
Use vocabulary that impresses
While keeping things simple and easy to read is the suggested course of action, you can also throw in some spicy new vocabulary words for texture. I was taught to use plain English in my professional life. If you can write something to make it easier to read, do that.
But, I’ve learned some new vocabulary since coming aboard this wondrous writing ship, so I suggest using a fancy word here and there. Xavier Van Holde taught me “petrichor” in a writing challenge. Petrichor is the smell that comes right before a rain storm. Just writing that brings back childhood memories of being out in the front yard, smelling petrichor, and feeling the joy of a soaking summer rain.
You can go fancy when it makes sense to do so. Don’t write everything using difficult to read vocabulary, but don’t get too caught up on rules about writing simply also. Do what is right for your purposes.
I know a lot of writing software suggests keeping things at a 4th grade level. Sometimes, you need to write at a higher level, using longer sentences, and complex paragraphs to make your point. Do what is right for your writing.
Summary
In summary, do what is right for your story. Learn the rules, but also learn what works and when it is appropriate to blaze your own writing path. Check your spelling, maybe write your headline after you’ve finished your writing, don’t be afraid to edit. And, remember that you can always write again another day.
🦄 Chris Hedges, BA, JD, is a writer and photographer. I am an editor at ILLUMINATION, The Bad Influence, and Red Curtain Erotica. I also own Publisher’s Spotlight and Illumination Amplification.
