Seventeen years ago I wrote my first blog on Myspace, back then I had no idea what I was doing; and not just technically, as an English major I knew how to write. But as a writer, I didn’t know what I wanted to write about or who my target audience was. Since then a lot of things have changed.
- I’ve studied the craft more.
- I’ve focused my writing.
- I’ve embraced my disability and the struggles that come with it.
Understanding the craft improves writing in many ways: it helps us communicate more clearly, it refines our message, and it helps us target our audience. After I posted my latest blog on my website (which is another big change, I have my own website), a fellow writer messaged me and said, “Your writing is bold.” Bold writing is strong communication.
Strong Writing.
Strong writing holds our attention, is concise and to the point. A writer has “trimmed the fat,” cutting out all the extra words, and has a clear core message that comes through in the writer’s unique voice.
Unfortunately, most new writers get stuck in an information dump approach, have so much to say but fail to organize it and give the writing focus. They just put all of their thoughts on the page and expect the audience to dig through the adjectives, adverbs, and fluffy talk and walk away with a clear understanding.
After my accident, I was so determined to get back to life as I once knew it; I failed to listen to my therapists and neglected their training. Along the way, I failed to strengthen my muscles and fell a lot more than I walked.
Strong writing is developed over time, like muscles; we have to work our writing muscles before we can have strong writing.
“A word after a word after a word is power.”
Margaret Atwood
A good idea and determination only get us so far on our writing journey. Good writers have strong writing skills. They listen and they read. Reading teaches us the characteristics of strong writing.
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
Stephen King
Below are some tips on improving your writing from Marbella International University.
- Make writing a daily exercise.
- Read, Read, and read some more.
- Be Succinct.
- Never underestimate the power of a thorough editing session.
- Develop a clear message.
- Sit down and write.
Whether its physical rehabilitation or rehabilitation for substance abuse, the motto is, “You have to do the work!” You don’t just go back to life until you get stronger in your area of weakness. There are assessments to test what a person can and cannot handle.
The goal is to get better and not simply get by.
Writers need to honestly test their writing muscles and hone their writing voice. Getting stronger doesn’t come from being lazy and staying in our comfort zones. Writers and disabled persons cannot become complacent on their journey. There are no easy paths to publication.
Getting Stronger Takes Work.
Often, when the journey gets tough, a lot of people give up instead of letting the journey make them stronger. I can relate, there were so many times in the early stages of my rehabilitation that I wanted to just get stronger and not struggle anymore. But then my muscles wouldn’t have gotten stronger.
When we fail to do the work, our physical muscles can atrophy. This means our muscles literally deteriorate causing further delay in the recovery process. This is why nurses and physical therapists keep disabled persons active and motivated to continue the journey.
When writers struggle in the craft, they too want to give up or simply plateau in their career. Many writers never find their “voice” because they simply stopped working their writing muscles or they try too much to mimic other writers instead of concentrating on their journey.
Below are a few tips from Writers Digest for finding and strengthening your unique writing voice.
- Dictation-Refers to your choice of words. Words affect the reader’s experience when they are chosen with purpose. For example, instead of saying house, consider using the word mansion, cottage, or Victorian.
- Details- Include the facts, observations, and specific moments you choose to share in your story or essay. You can enhance the reader’s experience by choosing concrete details.
- Imagery – Adds an extra layer to your prose through sensory details. These sensory details evoke a vivid experience for the reader. The tools at your disposal are the five senses: sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. Using these, you can trigger pleasant or unpleasant emotions, create confusion or surprise, or be provocative—all through your choice of images.
- Syntax –Is the order of your words, which creates the rhythm of your piece. You can manage this effect by varying your sentence length.
- Tone- reveals your underlying attitude toward the characters/people and situations in your writing and your story’s/essay’s subject matter.
Strong writing muscles and voice only come by putting in the hard work. Easy isn’t always a good, because easy makes us lazy and causes our writing to plateau. It’s the struggles of the journey that makes us stronger. It is a difficult process to develop strong writing!
Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJonhson.com and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.
We love helping your growing in your writing career.
1 Comment
Good advice. I always think of the metaphor of the caterpillar becoming a butterfly. As it is struggling to leave the chrysalis, it is building the muscles necessary to fly. Thanks for the encouragement.