Summary

Tim Denning's stream of consciousness writing style, akin to deep point of view in fiction, is highlighted as a method for non-fiction writers to create a more authentic connection with their readers by sharing their thoughts and experiences in a personal and immediate way.

Abstract

In an insightful article, Tim Denning's natural writing style, termed "stream of consciousness," is explored and compared to the narrative technique known as "deep point of view" in fiction. This approach allows readers to not only observe the narrator's actions but also to access their internal thoughts and feelings, creating a more intimate and engaging reading experience. The author of the website content reflects on how this realization has transformed their understanding of their own writing process, particularly the importance of personal voice and perspective in non-fiction writing. The article emphasizes that by infusing one's writing with personal thoughts and opinions, a writer can establish a stronger connection with their audience, making the content more relatable and memorable. The piece concludes by encouraging writers to adopt this technique to enhance reader engagement and to become more "real" to their audience, drawing a parallel to the enduring realness described in "The Velveteen Rabbit."

Opinions

The author believes that Tim Denning's stream of consciousness writing style is a key factor in the authenticity and immediacy of his articles.
It is the author's opinion that deep point of view is not just applicable to fiction but is also a powerful tool in non-fiction writing.
The author suggests that the success of their own story-driven articles is partly due to the use of deep point of view, which allows readers to understand the writer's perspective more deeply.
The author posits that writing in deep point of view can lead to increased reader engagement, followers, and a more distinctive writerly "voice."
There is an opinion that while maintaining factual accuracy and solid arguments in writing is important, interweaving personal thoughts and opinions throughout the piece is what truly resonates with readers.
The author expresses a belief in the transformative power of deep point of view, likening the writer's journey to becoming "real" to their readers to the timeless wisdom found in "The Velveteen Rabbit."

Tim Denning Just Blew My Mind

It was obvious, but I hadn’t seen it. In fairness, neither had he.

In a recent article, Tim Denning talked about his stream of consciousness writing style. He hadn’t realized that’s how he wrote until someone asked him how to do it.

I knew there was something about his work that felt more “real” and immediate than many other articles. But until he named it, I hadn’t been able to put a finger on it.

And then, once started down that track, my mind leaped from connection to connection.

What he’s talking about in “flow of consciousness” is what in fiction we called “deep point of view.” You not only see and hear everything the character is doing. You hear their thoughts about what they’re seeing, hearing, and doing. The world of the story is presented through the filter of the character’s mind.

I am the point of view character for the non-fiction articles I write.

Boom! Mind blown!

Deep point of view

If someone else could have written the exact same article that you just wrote, it’s not in deep point of view.

When readers connect to you, they’re not just connecting to what you write. They’re connecting to you, the point of view from which it is written.

I always knew that articles I wrote that contained stories did much better than others. Part of that I put down to having spent most of my writing career as a fiction writer. Stories are what I know. I should be pretty good at telling them by now.

But now I see what else is going on. I’m connecting to readers when I tell stories. They can clearly see my point of view, and understand my thoughts and feelings about things.

Those articles do better because of the connection. The stories just happen to be the medium through which that occurs.

But it doesn’t have to be limited to stories. For example, most of this article is about facts and information. But it’s got a very deep point of view. No one else would have written it the same way.

I’ll throw in another term repeated in reverential tones without ever being explained. It has my “voice”.

What this means for you as a writer

Here’s Denning’s brilliant insight, or my brilliant insight enabled by his, whichever. Readers connect to deep point of view, in both fiction and non-fiction.

To get more engagement, more followers, and more readers, write in deep point of view.

Continue doing all the things that make for a good, solid non-fiction article. Add hyperlinks to references. Construct your arguments so that they’re solid.

After all, you want people to enjoy the time they spend in your head. If all you have to think about is what the latest member of the Kardashian Klan is doing, people may not linger. Or, then again, they may. The popularity of the Kardashians is beyond my ability to explain.

That’s neither here nor there.

When it comes time to actually write the article, share your thoughts on the material. Not in the schoolroom style. Don’t first present an objective piece of information. Then follow that by critiquing it.

No. Weave your thoughts, your opinions, your voice, through the entire thing. Let the readers see what you were thinking as you were thinking it. Even those messy asides about the Kardashians. (But please, not too many messy asides about the Kardashians.)

That makes you real to the reader. They can connect to you.

In the words of The Velveteen Rabbit, “You become. It takes a long time. But once you are real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”

Conclusion

If Tim Denning does it, it at least bears consideration. And one of the things he does is “flow of consciousness writing”.

This is very similar to what in fiction is termed “deep point of view”. You understand not only what someone is saying, but what they’re thinking as they say it.

Deep point of view allows readers to better connect to characters. And, in a non-fiction article, the author is the point of view character. So writing in deep point of view enables a better connection with the readers.

You can do this with stories. But you can even do it with your “factual” information. You just need to write in such a way that you become real to the reader.

And, in the words of The Velveteen Rabbit, “[O]nce you are real you can’t become unreal again.”

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