I write simply. Some days, I sense that I lack impactful vocabulary. To write well is to think well. Here are my random thoughts on writing.
How do you write? What do you write? All those are important questions. In the end, what matters is what your reader wants. This is a double-edged sword. If you write what your reader wants, then you are chasing and it will not always be satisfactory. Instead focus on writing from your experiences and your readers will find you.
A language is a tool. Don’t make it your enemy. English is not my first language, so it can be difficult to come up with the right words to express my thoughts. Similarly, most writers make it hard on themselves either by using flowery language or using unnecessary fluff in their writing.
Your readers can be anyone on the internet and they may not always be native English speakers. That’s why it is important to write simple sentences. What topic you write on matters less than how you write it.
There are a lot of writers who use fancy words effectively, but there are also writers who only use fancy words for no reason. Fancy words can be a hindrance to conveying the idea.
How to improve Writing
There is no certain way to improve writing but to write a lot. Write every day, every moment you get. Flush out those bad thoughts and ideas. Once you have removed the initial wrapper by writing a lot, you uncover hidden gems. All these hidden gems have one thing in common and that is to express them in a simple language.
Why do you write?
I write to express myself. I write to find out hidden truths. Use words that are easy on readers. Use language that tells the truth. Some days, I do not even know what I am writing till I sit down to write. I trust my instinct. I allow my mind to unwind with the thoughts that I put on paper.
Don’t worry about the language or grammar rules. Just write. Writing the first draft should not be that hard. Subsequently, take time to edit your first draft.
Editing is an important part of writing. Reduce the criteria of your success. So write that first draft however shitty it might be.
Simple writing is about getting to the point. It’s hard, but it’s equally persuasive.
How do you write?
Writing is an expression. Sometimes, it is easier to be honest on paper than in real life. You don’t have to follow a million rules to write well. Use the bible of style, and you can write even more effectively.
Nevertheless, decide your writing process and follow it religiously.
One idea about writing that I like is word association. Write the words that come to your mind and try to connect them to write something.
What do you write?
Find your own experiences hiding in the corner of your heart. It’s hard to choose a topic to write about. I prefer to write whatever comes to my mind. I trust my mind to figure out that hidden story deep inside my heart. Initially, I struggle. But slowly, it uncovers the story. This has been my process from the moment I have picked up writing as a daily habit.
It amazes me that my mind has so many stories hiding and I never knew till I sat down to write. Trust your instinct. That’s all I have to say.