The Most Important Piece of Writing Advice That Blew Me up From Newbie To Relevant

It came at the right time.

Many thoughts raced through my mind like scared mice.

I muted those thoughts and asked her to lend me her copy of the September 2020 edition of a popular ladies’ magazine I’ve seen her read dozens of times.

I promised to return it in two weeks, clean and shapely. The look of desperation on my face overcame the quizzical one on hers.

Finally, she gave in to my request.

What did she have to lose? She’d already read it from cover to cover. Probably several times. Besides, it was only collecting make-up markings and drops of hair gel lying on her dressing desk.

A course instructor had assigned me to read a women’s mag for some writing tips. It turned out that advice was the best advice I ever received as a newbie writer.

Many rules spun on their heads

Reading several articles in the September 2020 edition of the Cosmopolitan Magazine, I came up with a few helpful observations. Key among them was the need to spin some of the writing rules on their heads.

Apparently, two-word sentences are normal

When you’ve spent the formative years of your young working life reading and reviewing leases, you get used to a style of writing.

You’re tempted to think writing lots of long-winding sentences that ramble on about precious little is the way to go.

Then I pick up this mag and see it’s actually okay to write two-word sentences. Like wow. FYI, I still enjoy the long sentences — more out of habit than any intention to communicate a sophisticated style — but I’ve gotten more comfortable mixing them up with shorter ones.

You can create your own words within context.

Some people think it’s taboo to use words not recognized by dictionaries or accepted by writing aids. I was in that camp, too.

While I still obey many writing rules, I also love the freedom to bend the rules and retain relevant information. Isn’t that a big part of creativity? Guess where I first found the freedom to apply this tip? From Cosmo, guys.

Well, it’s fun to know I don’t have to follow every rule and Grammarly every drop of creativity out of my work. No, it has nothing to do with being a lazy writer, as a friend wrongly suggested.

Lemme put it bluntly: I’m not advocating misspelling words and sparking subject-verb disagreements all over your work. Nor am I kicking against helpful online writing tools.

Good writing is not about disregarding writing rules; it’s more about relaxing a few hard and fast rules that have tied us down and shrunk our creativity. What a fun little adventure that has been.

For example, not every sentence needs a subject, an object, and a verb. The passive voice is not always a crime. Adverbs are not your enemies. They’re not what’s holding back your success as a writer.

See them as spices. You only need to use them sparingly. But when you do, they give a glorious taste to your meals. By meals, I mean your words. But if you don’t, well….whatever! You catch the drift?

It helped refine my tone

We all agree your tone may vary depending on what you’re writing. And also who you’re writing for. But do you know your tone? What are the top three adjectives that can describe your writing voice?

One edition of Cosmopolitan Magazine showed me the need to refine my tone.

Okay, I realize this is a never-ending process, and I’m still at the tone refinery 13 months later. But I’m happy the mag took me through a practical tone-refining session.

When I read some articles in there — maybe because most of them were pandemic-themed, silver-lining-finding articles — the tone instantly whispered something in my ears.

I realized I had to drop the overly formal, nearly legal tone I picked up from my career as a real estate appraiser. I realized I had to write like I’m talking to my sisters. At least on most occasions.

I’ve since been on a quest to make my writing more relaxing, more calming, more soothing. I’m trying to make my words sound more arm-around-the-shoulder than kick-up-the-behind.

And I’ve seen marked results. But there’s still a yawning room for improvement. Also, I realize that approach may not apply to everyone or every piece you write.

Oh wait…..there are a few other intangibles I can’t fully articulate

I learned a thing or two about writing headlines and intros.

Some of the article titles in there gave me options for styling my headlines. Then there was an overdose of several intro sessions for me to consume. I also learned to talk about what matters to humans.

And many other cool tips besides.

The weirdest advice I ever heard also wound up helping me destroy the weird newbie writer curse. Who knew? It all goes to show that sometimes, the best tools are the everyday items we leave around, even ignore.

Often, it comes down to being humble enough to take other people’s (stupid) advice. I’m grateful to the instructor who recommended Cosmopolitan Magazine to me.

Sure, as a guy, it was awkward for me to go borrow one from a lady. It was even more so flipping the pages. But once I shed the awkwardness and put on a hat of objectivity, the benefits have been immensely career-defining.

I’m still reaping the rewards.

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