Make Your Writing Process Easier: Part 3

Before creating any piece of writing, ask yourself the question, Who am I writing this for? Who is my ideal reader? The answer creates clarity that makes your writing flow with ease. The answer gives your writing focus. And it helps you speak directly to your readers with words, tone and style that resonate with them.

If you write without identifying your ideal reader, you are writing in a vacuum. You’re talking to yourself. And your writing won’t appeal to anyone except you. Of course, that’s fine if you don’t want anybody else to read it. For example, when I write in my journal, my writing is for me and no one else. I don’t want anyone else to read it. In fact, I would tear the journal out of their hands if I caught them reading it!

To identify your ideal reader, ask yourself who in your life represents the type of person you want to read your novel, essay or how to book. If you can come up with one person, great! If not, think in terms of gender, age range, values, concerns, likes and dislikes, outlook on life, and social and economic status. What’s most important to them? What makes them happy? What makes them mad?

Identifying your ideal reader can be challenging. At first, all you may see is a gray, amorphous blob. Keep looking for specifics. Then create a composite ideal reader. For example, your ideal reader could be working mothers seeking information on how to balance work and family. This ideal reader could be more specific, such as working mothers of toddlers or working mothers of teenagers.

Many writers get concerned that by identifying their ideal reader, they are excluding others who may be attracted to their work. Don’t worry. You’re not excluding them. They’ll find you if your writing resonates with them. But if you don’t identify your ideal reader and try to appeal to everyone, you’ll end up with bland, watered down writing. Your work will lack a distinctive tone, style and voice.  

After you have identified your ideal reader, direct your writing to them. Write as if you are talking with them over a cup of coffee. Do this and you’ll discover how much easier it is to write simply because you know who you’re writing for.

Now that you have answered all three questions — Why, What and Who — you have a solid foundation to launch your writing process and guide you to completion.

Make Your Writing Process Easier - Part 2

When someone asks you what the book or short story or article you're writing is about, can you tell them in a couple of short sentences? Can you say it in words they'll easily understand? (In other words, without using jargon or words you've coined for your story?)

No? Then you are missing another key piece of the foundation for your writing project. That key piece is your theme — your core message.

Stating your theme, or core message, in under 50 words gives you clarity. It provides you with a compass to guide your writing. When you can't describe your theme succinctly, it's easy to meander and take detours that muddle your writing. Having a theme keeps your writing focused so that each word, each point you make, each word propels the story forward and keeps the reader engaged.

To identify your theme, ask yourself this question: What? What am I writing about? Keep your description short — just a couple of sentences, under 50 words. And describe it in simple language you would use at a party or networking event. Then try it out on a trusted friend or associate. Do they get it?

In Part 3, we'll focus on the question, Who? When you answer all three questions — Why, What and Who — you will have a solid foundation to launch your writing process and guide you to completion.

Make Your Writing Process Easier: Part 1

Are you getting overwhelmed with your writing project? Chances are you left out a key piece in the writing process. But take heart — it's never too late.  

What's missing? The foundation to support your writing project. Your answers to three basic questions will build that foundation. The more thoroughly you answer them, the stronger your foundation will be.  

The questions are simple. Why? What? Who?
But only you know the answers.

Why?  Why are you writing this book, story or special report? Your answer will probably vary from one writing project to another. Why are you writing this one? Are you writing it to heighten your professional credibility? For a contest, publication, assignment? To chronicle your family history?

When you answer this question Why, be as thorough as possible. For example, if you are writing an article for a contest, what are all the reasons behind your decision to enter the contest. After you list those reasons, explore your Why even further with some more questions. For example, how will you feel after you submit your work? How will you feel if your entry wins an award? The more compelling your Why, the more you'll feel motivated to start writing and keep writing. 

Take time now to answer the question Why? 

In future posts, Part 2 will explore the question What? And Part 3 will explore the question Who?

When you answers the three questions Why, What and Who, you will have a solid foundation to launch your writing process and guide you to completion.

Instead of struggling, you can experience the joy of being in the flow!

There Is = Lazy Writing

When I see "there is" and "there are" in an article, I want to throttle the writer for being lazy. Yes,coming up with a descriptive noun and an active verb often requires extra thought and creativity. But that’s what good writers are supposed to do.

Take a look at how just a few changes give these sentences more life.

- There’s a show at ABC Theater for all tastes.
Whatever your taste, ABC Theater has a show for you.

- There’s always something exciting going on in Our Town.
Something exciting is always going on in Our Town.

- There are numerous self-guided trails to enjoy the spectacular views of the lake.
Numerous self-guided trails lead to spectacular views of the lake.

If you catch yourself using "there is" or "there are," ask yourself, what noun can replace "there" and what verb can replace "is" or "are." Do that and your writing instantly improves. And you become an active instead of a lazy writer.

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3 Ways to Make Writing Easier For You

Writing doesn’t have to be a struggle, but all too often it is.  

The culprit? Starting to write before anchoring the process by answering these basic questions. 

• Why are you writing this essay, novel or how-to book?  Are you writing it for a contest, publication, assignment? To chronicle your family history? To heighten your professional credibility? To express your opinion about a topic dear to you? The more you understand your "why" and the more compelling your “why,” the easier it is to start and keep writing. 

• What are you writing about? Can you describe your theme in 25 to 50 words?  These few words serve as a helpful guide, especially if you get stuck or off track.  

• Who is the ideal reader? When you can envision your ideal reader, you can write as though speaking directly to him or her. The words start to flow naturally. 

Taking time upfront to answer the questions “why, what and who” will give you a solid base for launching your writing process and guiding you to completion. Instead of struggling, you may even find yourself experiencing the sheer joy of being in the flow!    

Power Your Writing With Dynamic Verbs

Verbs — run, talk, sleep — drive a story forward. They describe actions. The more specific the verb, the more your reader can see the story you're telling.

For example, "run" is a general verb which creates any number of images. What do you see when you read this sentence?  The girl ran down the street.

Let's see what happens when we choose specific verbs, like these:
The girl skipped down the street.
The girl dashed down the street.
The girl sauntered down the street.

Verb choice makes a huge difference in the mood and energy of the image, doesn't it. The more specific your verb selections, the more control you, the writer, have over the image your reader sees.

See what specific verbs you can use instead of "talk" and "sleep."

How about chatter, gossip, whisper ...

And snooze, doze...

Go ahead. Give it a try!