13 ways to better writing

I may as well just say it. I am a writer. Because, you know, I write things. I write here, in a journal, a couple other random spots. That's what being a writer is.

A writer is different from an author. I've never had anything published, and I don't know if I ever will. Yet it doesn't take away from the fact that - however good or bad, widely or little-read, and however seriously I take it (or not) ... I write.

If you're anything like me, it would probably do us both good to read articles like Josh Spector's '13 Ways To Turn the Next Thing You Write Into the Best Thing You've Written.'

This mere numbered list won't do much good on its own, but it will serve as a nice reminder after you read the above linked post.

1. Remove 10% of the words.
2. Make the middle the beginning (or not).
3. Compare your first and last paragraphs.
4. Kill the "softeners."
5. "He" can be "she" or "they."
6. Amplify your three boldest statements.
7. Bring in the experts.
8. Bare it all (at least twice).
9. Read it as a letter.
10. A two surprise minimum.
11. Write a 280-character version of the post.
12. Do you promise a value or result in the headline?
13. Have you told people what to do next?
    

So, here's to writing. And writing better.

***

Psalm 45:1

"My heart is stirred by a noble theme
    as I recite my verses for the king;
    my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer."

Thoughts on writing

"Whoever says the most stuff in the fewest words wins."

Ahhhh, I like that!

I stumbled onto this great list of 'A Few Thoughts On Writing' from Morgan Housel, and hope to revisit from time to time.

I'm still hoping to do something a little more ...purposeful with this blog. Not just random stuff from my life (who cares about that), but something that might actually contribute to the betterment of society. Something positive, hopeful, helpful. I could do it, you know. So could most of you! The thing is... I have the time, and on most days, the desire as well.

Lately I've been trying to limit my posts to ~500 words or less. That just looks like a nice size on the page. This morning I was trying to think of titles like... "500 Words of Wisdom"... or "500 Words While Waiting"... or "500 Words to Wellness"... something like that. I probably won't use any of those, but that's the idea. Nothing spectacular or too deep, but a little story, a little Scripture, and you can get on with your day.

I also briefly thought about calling the blog "Peace out; and in." I think that's how I used to sign off on posts.

Anyway, take a gander at the list from Morgan. It's short and sweet like I hope to keep my posts.

***

"The one who talks much will for sure sin, but he who is careful what he says is wise." -Proverbs 10:19

 

What do I actually want?

They say Ray Bradbury had a sign over is typewriter for 25 years that said, "Don't think!" That's how he wrote.

I understand that to an extent. I suppose a writer needs to... write. And write a lot. Especially for someone writing fiction. You'd need to just let your mind goooooooooo.

James Clear is a writer and speaker focused on habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement, and he has a similar but slightly different take. While he would likely agree with the need to spend a great deal of time writing, he would also say you need to spend a great deal of time revising, revising, revising!

His advice: For a few weeks he started each morning by writing "What do I actually want?" at the top of a blank page. Then each day his answer became a little more precise. Once he knew what he wanted, the steps to getting there began to take shape. I like that!

I've thought about doing that here. Simply start writing each day with "What do I actually want?" at the top of the page. What do I want to do with this blog? What do I want to do with my life? What would I like to write about? What... ever.

I know I likely won't though. Maybe largely because I've got a boatload of posts in draft already; but also because I'd likely grow tired of it in a second or two. Yet, don't be surprised if it doesn't happen from time to time.

***

"LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” -Isaiah 25:1

 

To go public or not...

"If you want to take something more seriously, do it publicly... Social pressure forces you to up your game." - James Clear

 

I've been toying with the crazy idea of whether to go public with this blog or not?

I realize it already is public in that anyone can read it - IF they know how to find it. My url isn't exactly memorable (it's still my original blogger address from some 15+ years ago). I also don't advertise or share anything I write. That's probably all I would change - post a link on Facebook and such.

I suppose what I'm talking about is like a comedian or musician finally swallowing hard and going to an open mic night for the first time. You know, putting myself "out there." It's a tad nerve-racking.

Someday I would like to maybe send something in to the local newspaper. And, well, if I'm honest, I still daydream about being a writer. I mean, if I had my druthers, and didn't need money, that's what I would do. I would need to take things a lot more seriously, do some actual research, edit BEFORE publishing, and all those things real writers do. But if I could do anything in the world... ...

If I were to go "public" I suppose I would have some decisions to make...

• should I create a new blog and migrate certain posts over to it, or scour this one and remove any incriminating evidence regarding family and friends (as well as all my depressingly morbid personal feelings)?
  
• should I stick with this old blogger web address or purchase a more personalized url (I don't really know how to do that, but I suppose someone could help me)?
• should I stay with blogger or use another format (I'm comfortable with blogger, and being a loyalist and all I would prefer to stay, unless there are reasons I should change)?
• should I continue to write random stuff, or narrow the scope and be more focused on a certain subject (then have to decide what that would be)?
  

Or, maybe this blog is enough. I have a hard time thinking I ever do anything enough. Maybe I'm making much ado about nothing...

Anyway, that's what I've been thinking about lately. I've wanted to take my writing more serious for years, but I don't know if this is just the sobriety talking, or something I should really do. I would welcome any feedback or advice if you would feel so inclined...

***

“Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes.” And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” - Matthew 13:51-52

To be a moral human being...

I was feeling defeated as I arrived at work the other morning. One of the first things I do is walk through the locker rooms at 4:45 to make sure everything is in order. I don't normally notice, but on this day I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Man, I look tired.

I am tired, actually. Tired of wearing a mask all day every day. Tired of the "new normal" that is life during a pandemic. Tired of a meaningless job working for people who don't care. Tired of trying when it seems the powers that be are trying harder. Tired of the unrest in the world and our city. Tired of every day reading about the president fanning more flame into hate, division, and controversy.

Life can be a little exhausting right now, and it's tempting to try to block everything out. However, I happened onto this article by Maria Popova: 'Susan Sontag on Her Advice to Writers.' I think it's helpful for more than just writers.

Popova notes that Sontag "spent a lifetime contemplating the role of writing in both the inner world of the writer and the outer universe of readers, which we call culture..."

There is one sentence in particular that leapt off the page and slapped me awake:

"To be a moral human being is to pay, be obliged to pay, certain kinds of attention."

She notes that, for people who write, there is the opportunity to sort of stop time and see exactly where they are in relation to everything else. Judgments can be made because you can see that this is more important than that, at this given time. You can see it because it's what you are writing about; it's what you are focused on.

So it seems Sontag is saying... to be a moral human being, we need to be able to pay attention to what is most important at any given time. Perspective.

For instance, there is much turmoil in the United States right now: The pandemic, another case of police brutality, the protestors, rioters, and any number of other would-be distractors from who knows what. The question is... are we paying attention to the right thing(s)?

There are pleas for people to "stop the madness"... but is it the madness of breaking windows and gathering in the streets or the "madness" that has been forged upon minorities and poor folk generation after generation.

It's like the difference between saying: "It's horrible that an innocent black man was killed, but destroying property has to stop" versus "It's horrible that property is being destroyed, but killing innocent black men has to stop." Do you see the difference?

Are we able to pay attention anymore? Are we able to discern right from wrong?

 ---

Anyway, this whole situation reminds me of the book of Micah in the Christian Bible. Micah was an Old Testament prophet who spoke up against unjust leaders to defend the rights of the poor. Some of his most well-known words are in chapter six and verse 8, "...To act justly... love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." I really like how Eugene Peterson worded the verse in The Message:

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
    what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
    be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
    take God seriously.

Over and over the prophet admonished people to HEAR... LOOK... SEE! In other words, to pay attention! What is really going on here? What might God be saying to us? How then should we live?

So, what are you paying attention to? What kind of person do you want to be? Are you fair and just to your neighbor? Are you compassionate and loyal in your love? Do you take God more seriously than yourself? These are the kinds of things Jesus went on to teach us about, and the Spirit does still.

If you're like me, you may not want to think about those things right now (or maybe ever). But this is an opportunity to pause... to pay attention. Are you willing to listen?

---

As an 'aside.' I don't know about the rest of you, but I have been crying a lot more lately. Sometimes at the most inappropriate times and with seeming little reason. I'm actually starting to think it's a good thing though. Perhaps it's not that the STRESS is getting to me, but that maybe, just maybe, GOD is getting to me more. I'm trying to pay attention to that.

So, I'm praying Psalm 51:10-12...

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Amen.

When you find my journals

My journal-writing has been quite good lately. I don't know how else to say it. I'm not bragging, or trying to tempt anyone to read it/them... but it's been a good experience. The things I am learning, the way my heart seems to be changing, how God seems to be speaking into my life...

When I come to die, if you happen across my stack of journals, look for the ones from mid-2019 and on. I believe they will contain the best stuff. I mean, if any of it is worth reading. It may not be.

I have kept a daily journal for a long time. At least since the days when I started working as a pastor. I think I know where most of them are, but I'm sure some have been misplaced.

Most of them are from my morning prayer time. My current ritual is: read a passage from N.T. Wrights 'Mark for Everyone' (including the Scripture), his commentary, and then journal a page in this beautiful mole-skin journal my daughter gave me (pictured). Generally I describe the passage in my own words, share a few thoughts, then write a prayer to God, incorporating it into my life and the lives of those around me.

I recall a number of years - when I was still pastoring - most of the entries were probably nothing more than depressing laments about how miserable I was and my need for God to intervene. It would perhaps be interesting to read through them sometime, but I currently have no interest.

The past few months though... there have been several mornings when I would close the journal and think, "Wow... thank you, Lord. That was good." You know, how sometimes we can surprise even ourselves.

So, that's just something to tuck away for anyone who may happen across my stack of notebooks after I'm dead and gone. Certainly you don't need to feel obligated to read them. However, if you do, I suggest you start here. The rest can probably be burned.

Loglines and elevators

The other day I read this article 'The Art  of the Elevator Pitch,' and it really inspired me to improve as a communicator, whether writing or speaking. It was simple, concise, and informative... just how I would like to be.

The title likely caught my eye because we used to talk about the importance of the elevator pitch when I was taking leadership coaching classes. I was happy for the reminder and reinforcement of its value.

This particular article is mostly about how to get investors to listen to your idea, but it could be applied to just about anything. My mind actually drifted toward preaching - or at least public speaking - even though I don't really do it. I suppose this would work for everyday conversation as well. As the author says regarding your pitch,

"If you can answer in one compelling sentence, you can hook your audience... the human brain craves meaning before details. When a listener doesn’t understand the overarching idea being presented in a pitch, they have a hard time digesting the information. A logline will help you paint the big picture for your audience."

The three steps they recommend for a good logline are:

1. Keep it short
2. Identify one thing you want your audience to remember
3. Make sure your team is on the same page

The former pastor of our current church still preaches occasionally. He likes to start out with what he calls a "sermon sentence." He tells us what he's talking about in one sentence because, as he says, in case he gets off track he wants us to at least know what he intended to talk about. :)

I think this is important whether writing or speaking. It seems a lot of people say a lot of stuff, and so much of it seems unnecessary or people don't pay attention to it. It is definitely something I need to work on, and hopefully will. Because talking without communicating is pretty useless.