Sure, we write a bunch of junk communications on Facebook, Twitter, through texts, and maybe friendly emails, but when do we take the time to start writing better? There a big gap in growing communication skills and accepting the status quo that I believe needs to be closed very soon or we might face dire consequences as a society.
What will the future generations have to work with when they look back upon the written works that we’ve left about? 140 characters of wisdom that will help them get a full understanding of how we lived life? I think not. There’s a time and a place for it all, but now’s the time to really start thinking about learning to write better.
In this article, a gracious reader and champion for life-change was kind enough to do a little question and answer interview survey with me. I don’t claim to be the best interviewer in the world, but I do promise some good, raw, and honest answers from normal people like you and me. I do my best to NOT filter these answers, except for the bad words and hateful speech (which of course doesn’t happen often).
With that little blurb out of the way, let’s dive right into the content!
Today’s Topic: Writing Better (Take 2)
‘R’ = Richard N. Stephenson (me!)
‘I’ = Interviewee (anonymous by request unless otherwise noted)
[This interview is inspired and fueled by research done for my book: Quick Content Formula.]
R: Describe what writing better means to you.
I: It means having a heavier more direct impact to the readers themselves. It means besides grammar and content the word and phrases should pack a punch. It means writing clearly, concisely, and also a writer should be able to write fairly quick.
R: Describe how writing better would be useful to people looking to change their lives/careers.
I: Writing is a way for people to form an opinion on you without ever meeting you. so by writing better would cause those who cant verbally communicate with you to hold you in higher regard. writing better also turns into the ability to speak more clear and become more adept in social situations.
R: Give an example of writing better being used that has inspired you (from either internet/mainstream media examples or personal examples).
I: In English class we had to write about a current event in the new every week. My first paper was poor in terms of content and technique. My teacher gave me good comments to help me improve upon this skill. I researched more and found a current even on technology that interested me. I wrote about the piece and actually enjoyed this process. My writing and grades improved as a result.
R: How do you think a better understanding of writing better would help other people in their personal or professional life?
I: When you write, whether professionally, academically, or just for fun, you need a great amount of self-discipline. You need to be able to set aside distractions and allot yourself a certain amount of time to meet your goal. Most of the time, you also need to plan ahead and organize what you’re writing–make sure you leave nothing necessary out, or include anything necessary. I think that the ability to self-discipline and organize is essential in pretty much any profession, and any person’s life.
R: Give an example of how writing better has helped you professionally or personally.
I: As I have educated myself to become a better writer, I have been better able to get my point across to a wider variety audience. I am easier to understand. I feel that it has helped me to find a better way to put my thoughts in words.
R: Describe at least one way you think writing better could cause trouble or hurt someone in their personal or professional life.
I: Writing better could cause trouble because writing more clearly about negative connotations could be causation for a libel suit. Negative writing is not a good way to communicate even if the writing is superb and free of grammatical errors. The purpose of the writing can not be to tear a person down for an example and hurt someone regardless of how the writing is construed.
R: Give an example of how writing better has hurt you or caused you trouble in the past.
I: When I was a sophomore in high school, my English teacher made us write an essay. I don’t remember what the essay was about but I remember using the term “thus” in it. When we got the essays back, he made a note of my use of the word “thus” and said that I couldn’t possibly talk like that. It hurt my feelings since I actually did use the word “thus” when I speak and write frequently and I didn’t understand why that was a bad thing.
R: How do you think writing better could help you in a professional setting? Why is that?
I: Learning to write more correctly could help in any profession setting in which writing is involved. It could be a factor in who gets a raise or promotion, or simply, who looks good to the managers. Even in a wage job that isn’t writing-focused, there are things that must be written, and one who writes well will stand out.
R: Give an example of how writing better could be useful at work. Why do you think this?
I: Better writing beneficial to almost any career that requires communication (that is to say, all careers). This is because most work environments make heavy use of email nowadays, so writing is essential to properly get across what you want to say to your co-workers and clients. Writing is also beneficial in jobs that don’t make use of email, because it teaches you how to organize your thoughts and communicate more clearly with others.
R: How do you think writing better could help you at home? Why is that?
I: Writing better can help at home because therein is where most of the online writing occurs. If the writer writes better then most likely the online readership would increased. Increased readership online means that the revenue would get increased, as well.
R: Give an example of how writing better could be useful at home or in family life. Why do you think this?
I: Oftentimes there’s a need to write notes telling family where you are. Sometimes you need to tell them how to do things. Either way it’s important to be clear and concise in order for your message to get across the way you intend it to.
R: How do you think writing better could help you in a personal relationship? Why is that?
I: Writing as opposed to talking makes communication more precise. Often times I talk without a filter, by writing I could avoid those situations. Also, while writing, you can state your feelings based on reality and not the reactions or facial expressions of who you are communicating with . Some of my longest lasting relationships (years) have been sustained through writing, it also allows one to clarify and edit what one is saying.
R: Give an example of how writing better could be useful in a personal relationship. Why do you think this?
I: If you can write well it means you can form coherent thoughts and have the ability to express yourself in a way others can understand. I use writing to help clear my head and get thoughts down on paper – which I can then use to communicate with my husband.
R: Describe at least one thing you would like to learn more about writing better.
I: I feel I am a pretty decent writer, so i really want to learn the finer details involved. such as in stories and such how to describe a scene without going too far or not being detailed enough. also my spelling is terrible and id like to fix that as well.
R: Give your number one piece of advice for someone looking to learn more about writing better.
I: Take a writing class. You can find one online, at a community college, at a local rec center, find one that suits your tastes (you might be more of a creative writer, or structural/essay type writer) and take a class! My writing skills greatly improved during college, when I took an English class dedicated to advanced writing. My professor in that class helped me pinpoint my weaknesses, and conversely highlight my strengths. I highly recommend you do this to become a better writer, ask a teacher/professional.
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That’s it for now! I hope you enjoyed this interview conversation and found at least one useful bit of information you can immediately begin to apply in your life.
Also, if you’d like to figure out how to make a lot of great content for your own blog, website, school work, or email newsletters, then you might enjoy the Quick Content Formula. This is my own personal (and favorite!) method of creating highly engaging, fun, and useful information at a very quick pace. It’s a great way to beat that blinking cursor and write more awesome stuff. Click here to check it out.
Please share your thoughts, experiences, or your own interview answers and let’s share some real life wisdom, okay?