Summary

The article emphasizes the critical role of writers in providing hope and positivity during times of uncertainty and negativity.

Abstract

In an era where negativity dominates the media and people's minds, the article "Writers: The World Needs You Now More Than Ever" calls on writers to step up and counterbalance the prevailing atmosphere of fear and anxiety. It argues that writers have the power to make a significant difference by spreading joy, hope, and positivity through their words. The piece highlights the contagious nature of negativity and the importance of happiness for good health, suggesting that writers can contribute to readers' well-being. It also provides practical advice on how to infuse writing with joy and ensure that it resonates with readers, encouraging writers to seize the moment and share their work with the world.

Opinions

The media tends to focus on negative news, which is detrimental to the public's mental state, but writers can counteract this by producing uplifting content.
Writers are urged to embrace their role as influencers of public sentiment and to use their skills to inspire and bring comfort during challenging times.
Positivity in writing can lead to better health outcomes, as evidenced by scientific studies linking happiness to a stronger immune system.
To effectively convey joy and positivity, writers should use uplifting language, write conversationally, employ storytelling, and create memorable headlines.
The article suggests that by sharing their insights and love for writing, writers can become a beacon of hope and a bridge for those feeling isolated.
It is implied that writers have a responsibility to contribute to society by fostering a sense of hope and connection through their work.

Writers: The World Needs You Now More Than Ever

This is your moment to shine.

If you’ve been uhmming and ahhing about writing, fluffing about with a few words now and then, not sure whether to stay or go… Stop!

You’ve got to stay.

The world needs you more than ever.

Uncertainty rages around us whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. People are panicking. Many of us are home, isolated, held captive by our thoughts — and the media makes sure our vulnerable thoughts are fed each day with fear, anxiety, and negativity.

If you’ve wondered whether you should write. If you’ve ever wanted to write:

Now is your time.

Now is your time to make a difference.

Now is the time to neutralize the fear, anxiety, and worry in people’s minds, in people’s hearts.

Negativity sells

You may have noticed the media mainly writes about catastrophes and sensationalized, mostly negative news. Data scientists have discovered The New York Times and news outlets around the world have gotten progressively gloomier.

Well, the media knows something about readership numbers and what boosts them. But more than that, their bottom line tells them everything they need to know — and to keep running:

Negativity sells.

The media is thriving right now. We can’t pull ourselves away from the avalanche of up-to-the-minute news of shocking statistics and horrifying stories around the world.

They’re onto something big — and we all know it. We all have a negativity bias. Notice your thoughts in a day. How often do you talk down to yourself? How often do you complain? How often do you jump on shocking bad news?

Well, we’re naturally better at remembering negative emotional events more than positive events. Add to that, negativity is contagious.

As writers, we’ve got a tough road ahead of us. We’ve got a decision: will we join the mobs infecting the world with depressing news or will we flicker a light of hope, joy, and positivity and fan it relentlessly until it spreads?

It’s been proven: happiness leads to good health

In his book, The Emotional Life of Your Brain, Richard Davidson shared studies that found scientific evidence that happy, positive people were healthier than those who weren’t.

One study was run by Andrew Septoe and Michael Marmot of the University of College London, two of the world’s leading experts on the psychobiology of health and disease.

They found positive well-being is directly related to our biological processes. More specifically, happy participants of their stress study showed significantly lower levels of plasma fibrinogen than least happy participants. Plasma fibrinogen is a molecule related to inflammation and coronary disease.

In another study, health psychologist Sheldon Cohen, of Carnegie Mellon University, ran a 3-week mood assessment. He found participants with higher positive emotions were nearly three times less likely to get a cold than others with less positive emotions.

Health is related to happiness, positivity — and a strong immune system.

Ways to infect your reader with joy

Use uplifting words that capture readers with positivity: Enlighten, instill hope, use humor, appeal to your reader’s sense of pride, reveal, challenge, empower, and surprise.

Help your reader remember your messages: Write conversationally. Simply. Show vulnerability. Share stories and analogies. Format your writing. Use repetition.

Get into a writing flow: Don’t let doubt get in the way by reinforcing past successes, sleep well, remind yourself why you love to write, and share insights with other writers.

Understand how to get noticed as a writer and enjoy publishing more often: Readers can tell when you love what you write about. It will ooze into your writing.

Write magnetic headlines: but don’t stress about them. Your first thoughts often make the best headlines. But if you’re still unsure, begin with headline templates proven to entice readers.

Now is the time to write

My friend:

Now is the time to give the world hope.

Now is the time to give the world comfort.

Now is the time to be a light in the darkness.

Now is the time to be the bridge to people isolated, alone, wallowing in their despair.

You have this power.

You were made for this.

You are enough and always have been.

Write.

The world needs to hear from you.

“We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?…Your playing small does not serve the world.” — Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”

Cynthia Marinakos is an Aussie copywriter who loves rock climbing high ceilings and hiking amongst ferns. She’s on a mission to help you write with joy and publish often on Medium. Grab her free 5-part email series: Headline Hacks.