Confident Writers Cheatsheet
Why is it called the Confident Writers Cheatsheet?
It’s called the confident writer’s cheat sheet because no-one reads work from a tepid, timid writer! You should feel confident as you improve your skills and build up your toolkit. Confidence will enhance everything that you do.
BE ACTIVE
Nothing slows down your writing faster than overusing the passive voice. Need a quick refresher on what that means?
• The cake was brought vs My lover brought the cake.
• The newspaper is arriving at six. vs The prison guard will deliver the newspaper at six.
BE BOLD
Don’t be boring! Start with a striking quote, a fascinating statistic or a powerful story. Strive to lift your writing from just a collection of facts to something that will connect with your reader.
BANISH THESE DEMONS
Multiple exclamation marks have no place in your writing!!!!! While there’s an exception to every rule, for this one, just follow the rule…
THE STRUCTURE SWITCHEROO
Sometimes, when we’re writing our first draft, we’re a little timid to start with. We only get on to the meat of the subject by paragraph two. So, here’s a quick tip: switch the first two paragraphs. Does that give your writing more punch? Another idea? Just delete the whole first paragraph altogether if it doesn’t set your heart on fire. Life’s too short for bad writing.
ADD SOME SPICE
Most of us describe what we can see and forget about all the other senses. Experiment with adding in sounds, scents, textures and tastes. When writing about colour, don’t just stick to stodgy reds and blues. Throw in some pomegranate or buttercup hues.
CUT IT OUT
You may have heard that “Google likes longer articles” and, overall, that’s currently true. But excess words reduce your impact on real human readers. Aim to cut at least 10% of your first draft through weeding out any diversions, excessive descriptions or heavy handed use of the passive voice.
BE NAKED ALONE
The first draft of your writing is for you. The published version is for your reader. Be as naked as you wish when putting together your first draft. Let go of your inhibitions and let the words flow! Then, by the time your writing goes out into the world, edit the text until it’s suitably booted and suited for a respectable day at work.
SAY BYE-BYE TO "-LY "
Here’s a quick tip: set your search function to find the letters “ly” in your text. Chances are, they’re from a word that’s slowing the whole show down.
• Spoke unevenly vs stuttered or hesitated
• Moved slowly vs crawled or tiptoed
HEADLINE FOR HOMER SIMPSON
Don’t be cryptic with your headlines. Instead, aim for the clearest explanation possible. Keep everything subtle, poetic and clever for the text, once people have decided to read. Can you tease a little? Yes, of course. Here’s the difference… For example:
• Footlights and Floodlights in Madrid – unclear and confusing
• The Secret This Madrid Store is Hiding – teasing
KEEP THEM COMING BACK
Don’t just…stop. What do you want your reader to do when you come to the end? Hire you? Comment? Read another blog post? Sign up to your newsletter? You need to make a clear, clean request to guide your reader along to the next step. Internet marketing people call this a “call to action” but I find it easier to think of it as a considerate invitation. So, with that in mind…
I want to invite you to the Booked Worms Virtual Book Club!
Don’t have any in-person book clubs? Factors like transport & time stopping you? Been thinking about joining but never got to it? Join our Virtual Book Club and meet like-minded bookworms and discover new readers! Our platform is a great way for introverts to come together and rant about books they hated/loved. Participate in reading marathons and challenges. Post anytime & anywhere, whenever & wherever you feel! We do have spotlights, reading marathons, reading challenges and DOZENS of reading recommendations! This is your VIP invite to the bookedworms virtual book club, follow this link to join!
Happy Writing!