Be a Better Writer Every Day
Good writing matters. The world is full of very crappy writing, which is bad news for writers because humans naturally and unconsciously imitate that which surrounds us. (This tendency has broad and interesting implications in many areas of life such as finance and fitness, but we’re talking writing here.) The abundance of lousy writing in the world means that we all spend our days sloshing around in sloppy, jargony, bureaucratic nonsense. And it rubs off. I’ve had some very dark moments re-reading emails and reports that I dashed off in a hurry.
There are three ways to combat the insidious effects of crappy-writing-exposure.
- Surround yourself with great writing. This doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time reading Shakespeare or James Joyce. (Though maintaining a passing acquaintance with literature is not a bad idea.) Read what you love–great writing can be found in many quarters. If you’re like me, you’re tuned into language and instinctively know the difference between good and bad. Don’t waste your time with mediocre words. Immerse yourself in powerful, passionate prose and hope that it will leave its mark on you.
- Pay attention. All the time. As your mother always said, practice makes perfect. If you practice lousy writing, that’s what you’ll get good at. We write all day long–use this opportunity to your advantage. Edit your emails for passive voice. Strive for striking metaphor in your memos. Probably no one else will notice, but you will feel smug about it anyway, and you’ll become a stronger writer in the process.
- Start training. The work you do in #2 will keep you from turning into a flabby verbal couch-potato, but if you’re serious about building your writing skills, you’ll want to commit to regular writing practice. Take a class. Find a writing buddy who will hold you accountable and give thoughtful critique. Read writing books and practice the techniques they teach you.
Sadly, my experience is that conscious writing, like healthful eating or regular exercise, is a commitment that takes work and energy. Stop paying attention and you’ll backslide. But, like any other salutary habit, it gets easier with time, and the rewards are well worth the effort.
I really resonate with #2 — it’s a struggle for me to dash off a sloppy email, and I’ve rewritten this sentence four times. Yet sometimes a dashed-off, sloppy email is what the situation demands, and I wouldn’t ever get anything done if I wrote carefully all the time. I wonder how we can avoid the fate of flabby verbal couch potatoes yet free ourselves from the chains of careful writing from time to time?
Good point, but I think that’s actually just another reason to practice. Perfectionism and indecision are the bane of lots of writers (me included), but usually stem from lack of confidence. Getting in the habit of writing well and consciously lets you pound out solid prose more easily–without wasting time agonizing about it. So even those hurried emails won’t be sloppy!