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Three Simple Keys to Writing Success

Photo credit: SidewaysSarah

Writing is writing regardless of what kind of writing it is.  Here are three key tips for success from motivational writer Robert Ringer.

Force yourself to start. I can tell you that a writer is rarely motivated to write. What separates professional writers from amateurs is that they take action and start putting words on the computer regardless of whether or not they are motivated. In my experience, after I force myself to start writing, a seamless transition takes place and I become motivated. When you force yourself to write, it stimulates your brain and body cells and gets your creative juices flowing. And that, in turn, revs up your motivation. It’s the only way I know to combat procrastination. Writing is not about the future. Writing is about putting your hands on the keyboard now.

Simplicity is crucial. I learned this gem from William Strunk’s timeless little classic The Elements of Style.This book has been around for decades, and everything in it holds true today, especially the little jewel that follows: “Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.” Simplicity is a crucial aspect of quality writing…

Don’t try to be all things to all people. Authors (and screenwriters) are just like anyone else – they want to be loved. Or at least admired and respected. But this is a desire that can be fatal if you try to please everyone – or, the corollary, try not to offend anyone. A writer whose message is not clear-cut becomes “mushy.” A strong message translates into a lot of people who will not like your work, and some who will even hate it. But it also means that just as many people will probably love you for having strong opinions. Forget about the people who don’t like what you’re offering. Instead, convert your desire to please everyone into improving the products or services (or scripts) you sell to your market.

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