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How to leave an impression on readers

Published on April 19, 2019April 18, 2019 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

And write like the invisible man.

You read me right.

Reading an article by August Birch on Medium.com got me to thinking about all the books and stories I truly enjoy. Want to know what I discovered?

If I want to write a review, I must do it immediately after finishing the book. Because the mechanics of the book fade quickly, but the impression lasts much longer. I remember what books I loved and the ones I hated, but my reactions are personal and vague.

As August points out…

“When we do our best work as writers, the writing disappears in the background.”

To me, that means the mechanics and style of writing fades in the background. August suggest writers should strive for “Invisible Writing.”

Have you ever become so absorbed in a movie, you couldn’t remember the color of the actors dress? Why? Because it was a great movie! Same goes for writing a great story. As the reader sees the story in their brain, it’s as if they are experiencing the story. Explaining too much makes the mental story shut down and off.

To become an invisible writer…

Avoid selecting words to sound sophisticated.
Don’t over explain or over describe the scene.
Too much description reveals a lazy writer.
If the words don’t move the story forward, cut them.
Don’t make reading your story a chore, don’t make the reader think too hard.
Reflect rather than over think as you write.

“When the reader focuses on the writing, she’s not using her subconscious to help engage with the story — you’ve lost her.” August Birch

You really should click on the link and read the article by August Birch in its entirety. He explains in greater detail what it means to be an invisible writer.

Why We Never Want Our Readers to Remember Our Writing by August Birch

PS:

I want to wish everyone a safe and happy Easter holiday. Don’t forget to add a book to that little one’s basket.

PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE AND LOOK ME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW.

AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

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How to plan for a successful writing year

Published on January 14, 2019January 13, 2019 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Well, everyone knows I’m as slow as molasses about achieving my writing goals, but this year I’m gonna try harder to reach them.

Tony Robbins quote We overestimate what we can do in a year and understatement what we can do in five

So, for those of us still working up the nerve to plan our writing projects, I found a really good and informative article. What I like about 2019 Writing Resolutions that Stick: How to Plan Your New Writing Year By August Birch…

A resolution is not enough. Make a plan for each day. (Mine: write posts ahead of time and spend the rest of my time writing on WIP.)
Just like a map makes travel less complicated so a plan makes keeps you on the right writing track. (Stick to my plan.)
Opportunities abound for writers but so does competition. Compete better by practicing. (I will practice writing something every day.)
Breaking a big project down into smaller sections makes it easier. Sort of like eating an elephant. (old joke, I don’t really eat elephants.)
Big ambitions are fine as long as you don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Remember slow and steady often wins the race. (Well I’ve got the slow down perfectly.)
Whatever your writing goals may be, they all start with one step. (Or one word.)
One word begets 500, 500 leads to 1000 – just get writing. (I’m on it.)
Don’t set your goals by the yardstick of other writers. (Wish I wrote like King or Rowling, sigh. But, I gotta be me.)
Push your self out of your comfort zone. (I’m already there.)