23. Study Great Sentences
Sentences are the backbone of your writing.
The stronger they are, the stronger your writing will become and the more impact it will have on your readers.
If you encounter a sentence that catches your attention, stop for a second.
Go over it again. Handwrite it. Study it.
Break down why it’s such a good sentence. Is it concise and powerful? Does it contain a metaphor with killer clarity? Is it crammed with power words?
Take notes on what makes other sentences good. You’ll discover useful lessons that’ll strengthen your own writing.
This applies to both your words and the ideas you express.
Instead of using the same word to describe something; aim for a variety of accurate words to make your writing blossom inside your readers mind.
Below is a short action scene I wrote.
Before cutting out boring phrases and using different words to create vivid images, this is what it looked like…
“He fired the gun. The bullets reached each target. One bullet hit the guards head and left a bloody mess. The other bullet hit the second guard square in the jaw and left an explosion of teeth. By the time he reached his next point of cover, both guards were dead.”
Here’s what it looks like after:
“The gun rattled to life. Each shot reaching its intended destination with blinding speed. One cratered through a guards forehead, the second exploded into an anatomical firework of teeth and jaw bone as it smashed into the 2nd guards mouth. By the time he reached his next point of cover, both guards were dead.”
See the difference?
I removed everything that was repetitive, and replaced boring words with high power verbs to create a more vivid image that hits where it hurts.
25. Play with Your Words
Instead of settling for the first few words that come to your head, whip out a thesaurus and get digging.
Try using different words and phrases instead of the ones you’ve chosen.
By regularly practicing this, you’ll expand your vocabulary and develop the important skill of choosing the right word at the right time to create the perfect image.
26. Your Reader’s Cursor is Hovering on the X button
It’s easy to think your readers are browsing for fun and enjoyment. That they’ll read every word of your post; but that’s just not true.
It’s better to think of your reader like this:
Your reader is juggling a screaming baby on his lap, has dozens of tasks to finish, and is ready to click on that big red x button the second your post doesn’t provide the solution to his problems.
Now, that may not be 100% true… but this simple mindset shift will help you create more reader friendly content from the get go.
You’ll be sure to keep his pains and problems in mind, which means you’re less likely to have fluffy, bloated writing that bores his ear off.
27. Kill Cliches with Lethal Analogies
Cliches suck.
They’re tasteless phrases that readers shake off like dirt on their shoulders.
Aswell as making you look like a lazy writer, they butcher any hint of personality in your writing.
So, what to do instead?
Kill them…with high power analogies.
28. Keep it Dead Simple
Want to instantly power up your posts?
Make them easier to read by simplifying your writing.
Now, simple doesn’t mean limp sentences whatsapp data that pass readers by… it means taking out unnecessary ten-dollar words that make you look like a pompous show off.
Don’t say:
Utilize when you can say use
Extrapolate when you can say estimate
Desiderate when you can say desire
And cut out words like very, really, almost, probably etc.
Keeping your writing simple allows you ການແກ້ໄຂຄ່າໃຊ້ຈ່າຍສ້າງຄວາມໄວ້ວາງໃຈກັບຜູ້ອ່ານ to communicate with your readers better. It smoothly slides information into their brains without them having to make too much effort.
29. Jump into Your Reader’s Bed
What do they struggle with the most?
Answering these questions gives you usa ceo a deeper insight into what your reader’s most troubling problems, hopes and desires are.
Use polls, surveys, or emails to find out what they want and need.
Knowing your reader well will help you improve on the main purpose of your writing, which is.
