💡4 Simple Ideas to Transform your Writing

There are many things about writing that are hard. If you don’t think so, you’re probably doing it wrong.

I don’t blame you. We live in a disposable world were everything we write, especially on social media, will be gobbled up by the algorithm less than 24 hours after it’s publshed.

So, should we even learn to write well? Is it worth it?

If that social post is going to disappear before teatime anyway, does it matter whether you spend 2 or 20 minutes writing it?

I think so.

As the old saying goes: Easy writing makes hard reading.

As the other old saying goes: You only get one chance at a first impression.

Translation: You’ll never grow an audience online if you write shitty sentences.

I’ve been thinking about this recently because I’m reading On Writing Well by William Zinsser for the third or fourth or possibly fifth time — a wonderful book not only because of its timeless advice, but because of its warmth. Zinsser writes with the tenderness and affection of your favourite school teacher, the one that was always kind to you and seemed to genuinely care about your future.

I don’t confess to be a brilliant writer, but I am always trying to improve. I improve by reading widely and listening to the advice of master craftsmen like Zinsser. Yes, writing is a craft the same as woodworking is a craft. If you practice and pay attention to the details, you’ll get better.

My first tip for you is to read On Writing Well. If you’re writing a lot for any medium, you’ll thank me for it. Get it here.

But you’re busy. I know.

So, if all you’re after are some quick thought-nuggets to chew on as you go about your week, I’ve summarised Zinsser’s 4 principles for great writing, below.

1. Clarity

If you’re writing isn’t clear, you might as well go back to bed. Clarity is the number one job of a writer, and yet the world is full of unclear writing. Here’s a great example from Zinsser, quoting a letter he received from his landline provider:

You need to know the point you want to make, and you need to make it in a logical, straightforward way. If you achieve only one thing in your writing, make sure it’s that your reader understands what you’re trying to say.

2. Simplicity

Clutter is the enemy of writing. We tend to inflate what we write, to use words we don’t need, to use complicated words when simple ones will do.

Consider the dentist who asks: Are you experiencing any pain?

When what they mean is: Does it hurt?

We fear that a simple style equals a simple mind. In fact, the opposite is true. Simplicity is hard work. Making complicated ideas simple is the mark of an expert writer.

3. Brevity

Be concise. Use words like you’re running out of them, like they’re the last few coins in your pocket. Make each one count. Make them work.

Don’t use long words when short ones will do and eliminate phrases you don’t need.

An important thing to note is that phrases like “an important thing to note” have no place in your writing. If something is important to note, note it.

4. Humanity

Be natural. Be yourself. Don’t say anything in writing you wouldn’t say in person. Here’s a key quote from Zinsser:

We want people to think we’re smart, or proffesional, or astute. We want people to believe that what we’ve got to say is worthwhile. We want to draw people in. The tragedy is that the things we do to draw people in are the very things that turn them away.

You are your biggest asset. YOU need to inseparable from your writing.

Clarity. Simplicty. Brevity. Humanity. Easy to remember, hard to master. Write them down on a Post-it and slap them to the front of your notebook, or above your writing desk, or wherever it is you do your writing, and let them guide you as they guide me.

Finally, remember that writing isn’t really writing. Writing is re-writing. Never be satisfied with your first go at something. Always think: How can make this clearer, simpler, more human, more me?

Maybe this will help you to connect to more people with your writing and maybe it won’t. At the very least, you’ll feel some pride about the words you’re putting out into the world, forever attached to your name.

See you next week!

Daniel.