Do you want your writing to stand out, to have power and persuasiveness, to have life and zest and energy? Then here are four ways to take your writing to another level:
1: Have something to say
No matter how well you write, it’s really what you have to say that counts. If you have something to say, the writing will probably come easily. If you don’t know what you want to say yet, you’ll struggle all the way.
The greatest writers there have ever been (Shakespeare, Sophocles, long list goes here…) were not only good with words. They had something important to say about the human condition. They had stories to tell.
2: Use metaphor
A metaphor is a double-edged sword: it adds life, colour, vision and texture to your writing. But use too much metaphor and your writing can become like a crazy fairground ghost-train ride crossed with an out-of-control roller-coaster, with images flying past your readers mind faster than they can take them in, as their stomach starts to churn and they have to close their eyes before they vomit the whole lot up. You get the idea. Use metaphor sparingly and with discretion, but make sure there’s enough in your writing to give it life and sparkle.
3: Find your voice
How do you make your writing distinctive, even unique? By writing with your own voice. You are unique, we all are. So while you will need to learn and improve your writing by picking up techniques from other writers. your goal should be to find your own voice. That way people will recognise your style
Here’s some suggestions for ways to find your voice:
- Go easy on the grammar rules for a while - don’t let them strangle your writing.
- Think about the things you enjoy most in your own writing. What mood were you in when you write that? Can you get back to that place?
- Just write it - don’t try to edit as you go along.
- Write from your own experiences.
- Write what you want - without thought for what others expect. Do it your way for once.
- Picture your reader - but only one person. Don’t try to write for the world at large. Write for just one person.
- Learn to recognise when you are writing with your own voice.
4: Get into the ‘zone’
It’s not only sports men and women who reach peak performance when they are ‘in the zone.’ Being in the zone, or in flow, is a state of heightened concentration and focus. It’s nothing mystical or unachievable. It comes down to letting your unconscious mind take control for a while. In this state, when you are relaxed and focused, the words should start to flow, almost as if they were writing themselves.
Click here for a previous article on writing in the ‘zone.’
And go here for an hypnosis download recording that can help you to beat writer’s block and get into the zone. (Affiliate link)
