The SECRET to better writing

 

Ephesians 4:29 

King James Version

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed 

out of your mouth, 

but that which is good to the use of edifying, 

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Read you material out loud.

That's the simple secret to writing better.

When you start hearing your own voice, and words, you'll either cringe, or rejoice.

Then you can make adjustments to your work, so you can deliver something really clear, simple, and precise.

It just felt right to read my material out loud to myself.

I needed to hear what I had written.

Lo and behold, I caught my mistakes on time!

Written material sounds so different when spoken out loud.

Try it.

Will surely make a marked improvement in your writing.

Others may want to record themselves, so they can play it back.

I'm quite happy just reading my material out loud, without disturbing people around me, and making quick corrections.

I really have very simple methods.

They work for me.

Updated 4 March 2022

WRITE with heart

 

1 Corinthians 13:1 

King James Version

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, 

and have not charity, 

I am become as sounding brass, 

or a tinkling cymbal.

I used to write with art.

Now, as a born again, I write with heart.

Self has gone.

Evaporated.

Poof!

Only God remains.

And rightfully so!

Now, my writing has taken on new power, only because the Holy Spirit directs every thought, word, or move.

And now, I can share with you my new knowledge in Christ, too.

Before Christ, my writing was good enough.

After Christ?

My writing zoomed to greater heights, for the glory of God.

Why all this talk about God?

Why must our writing have God in it?

Who, and what is God?

Ah, great question!

1 John 4:8 

King James Version

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; 

for God is love.

Thing is, unless you're born again, you cannot possibly imagine the enormity of God's love.

You will still be of the world, and the world and God are not one.

Only by being gifted with the Holy Spirit, can you learn many things of Christ.

Your life will improve.

Your work will improve.

Your writing will be of God.

Things will become clearer to you.

Everything will breathe of Christ.

Writing becomes just one avenue, for God to live in you.

Oh, that rhymes!

Let's make a poem out of it.

Writing becomes just one avenue, 

for God to live in you.

You see what I mean?

The old me couldn't have produced that kind of material.

My writing flows beautifully now, only because I have drunk from the well offered by the Lord Jesus.

John 4:14 

King James Version

14 But whosoever drinketh 

of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; 

but the water that I shall give him 

shall be in him a well of water 

springing up into everlasting life.

Every word becomes important.

Words gather together beautifully to serve God, for a born again.

In the process of serving God, you serve others better, for God is in your heart.

You become a true child of God, obedient to His will.

If your desire is simply to write well, you can, and you will be able to -- but you will still serve the fallible, corrupt world.

But if your desire is to write things pleasing to the Lord, you must become born again. 

John 3:5-7 

King James Version

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.

Unless you follow the Lord's command, your writing will be of the world, and thus, not of Christ.

Now that you know God is love, you cannot treat writing with heart, as a plain chore.

If you do, you will get plain results.

Or maybe, no results at all.

Only because you have no idea what God can really do.

You have no idea what clarity God can give you.

1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)

33 For God is not the author of confusion, 

but of peace, 

as in all churches of the saints.

Updated 4 March 2022

You have the ABILITY to write

 

Psalm 27:3 

King James Version

3 Though an host should encamp against me, 

my heart shall not fear: 

though war should rise against me, 

in this will I be confident.

Sure, Adam was a direct creation from God.

And we came from Adam.

Nevertheless, God loved us so much, He sent His only begotten Son, so we may live.

John 3:16 

King James Version

16 For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 

but have everlasting life.

That being that, why are we not confident?

The Spirit of God gave us many gifts.

Ready for this?

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (KJV)

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, 

but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, 

but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, 

but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit 

is given to every man to profit withal.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; 

to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; 

to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; 

to another prophecy; 

to another discerning of spirits; 

to another divers kinds of tongues; 

to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, 

dividing to every man severally as he will.

Woe to any man who thinks he is the only gifted one, the only one who can write, think, speak, or act.

Nope, God gave each one of us gifts, according to His will, and wisdom.

We are to use our talents for the GLORY of GOD, even as people forget that, or try to forget it, or satan tries to hide that fact from us.

Remember what Scripture said:

1 Corinthians 10:31 

King James Version

31 Whether therefore ye eat, 

or drink, 

or whatsoever ye do, 

do all to the glory of God.

Have confidence in yourself, for God created you for His purpose.

Romans 8:28 

King James Version

28 And we know that all things 

work together for good to them that love God, 

to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I've barely scraped the Bible for proof of your worth as a person.

But surely, you get the idea.

You can write.

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Okay, maybe not a novel.

Maybe LOTS of novels.

Who's to know, unless you start writing?

God started with a Word, too.

John 1:1 (KJV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God.

Children, you've got everything on your side.

No more alibis.

Write!

(Image source: Jack Moreh)

Updated 4 March 2022

WRITE short sentences

 

John 10:30 

King James Version

30 I and my Father are one.

Jesus said that.

"I and my Father are one."

High impact, right?

That's how your sentences must be.

Be a man of few words, but get the job done.

Remember when our parents would get angry?

One look, and we got it.

They didn't even have to speak.

Plus, our conscience knew trouble was forthcoming.

Remember the telegram of the old days?

If you don't, you weren't born then.

But I did receive one, or two.

During my time, they came in a tiny plastic envelope.

The words were few.

Peppered by the word "STOP", so you knew where the sentences ended.

You'd know if you received a telegram, that it was important.

And they weren't that cheap either, so not many people sent it, unlike how we write emails now.

Potential spam.

But that's how you must write compellingly.

Write short sentences.

You've only got nano seconds to invite the attention of your reader.

Don't grab; invite.

You're not a thief.

You don't accost people when you write.

Have respect, my dear readers.

Be respectful of your reader's time.

Be respectful of their intelligence.

Focus on the real message you intend to send, and support your statements with clear, concise facts.

Make it fun, happy, if need be.

Don't cause panic.

Don't cause fear.

Don't threaten.

Don't manipulate.

Remember, you are writing to the SPIRIT of God in each person.

Treat people with kindness, and respect.

You can imagine what happens when you write long sentences, or novellas.

People's attention glaze over, they may even junk your email, or brand it spam.

Or they may be so disgusted, they'd delete it.

Of course, it depends what you're writing, who you are, and who your readers are.

If they're fans, they'll read anything you write, whether you make sense or not.

If it's for business, information, or even courting purposes, have mercy on your readers.

It's no time for ego.

Keep your sentences short, direct, factual, and respectful.

Write with love in your heart.

Be a loving person.

Short sentences show love.

Not necessarily a lack of intelligence.

More about confidence in the next post.

Interesting material:

Sending a telegram in 2016

Updated 4 March 2022

The TOTAL package

 

Luke 10:27 

King James Version

27 And he answering said, 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy strength,

and with all thy mind; 

and thy neighbour as thyself.

What to consider before you write a whole letter, a book, or a lecture?

First, who will your reader be?

When will you write, or send it?

Timing is everything

Start with a compelling introduction.

Ask a question, perhaps?

Fascinate the reader, or listener.

Then start explaining briefly in the body.

Support your statements with factual material.

Even humorous material, if need be.

Keep all details related to each other.

Keep facts simple, and straightforward.

We did say, your readers may be busy, too.

Don't overdo the supporting material.

Choose the ones that say it best.

Depending on what you're writing about, you may need to include images, maps, graphs.

Show respect for your reader by presenting clear material.

Perhaps, your letter is but an introduction to more material?

Then keep that letter brief, and precise, but interesting.

Close by repeating what you said in the introduction.

As you got into the body, perhaps, your readers got lost along the way.

Gently call them back in, with your closing.

That reinstates what you wanted in the first place.

Consider the introduction, and closing, the real object of your writing.

The body merely fills in the details.

Others would say to focus on the body.

If your introduction isn't interesting, would your readers bother getting to the body of your presentation?

Like SPIRIT and I say, keep it simple, clear, and direct.

And yes, honest.

Don't sugar-coat what is bitter.

Refuse to be boring.

The next post will show you how to be interesting.

Updated 4 March 2022

HOW to write compelling material

 

2 Corinthians 1:12 

King James Version

12 For our rejoicing is this, 

the testimony of our conscience, 

that in simplicity and godly sincerity, 

not with fleshly wisdom, 

but by the grace of God, 

we have had our conversation in the world, 

and more abundantly to you-ward.

What is compelling material?

It's the kind that makes you go, "WOW!"

It's the kind that glues your reader to what you've written.

It's the kind that produces positive action, toward the action you designed your material for.

Pretend God is your coach (and I hope He really is), and you will write lovingly, and respectfully.

Care about your reader.

Write simply, and clearly.

If you're into creative writing, it could be humorous, even crazy.

If you're into professional writing, all the more keep it clear, simple, and factual -- but not boring.

Short bursts of information help.

Like bullet points.

Enumerate, by numbering your ideas.

Keep the numbers low.

We wouldn't want to make our readers throw up.

Insert at least one appropriate image.

Your image must match the tone, and content.

I know you know what I mean.

Everything has to be consistent, and appropriate.

Simple, and direct.

Pretend wee're all writing for busy folks.

Because we just might be.

It's the digital age, people get distracted easily.

We're only given nano-seconds to compel our readers to pay attention.

Why not with a cool, short, memorable title?

Make it easy to understand.

Remember...nano seconds...

More on the total package on the next post.

Updated 4 March 2022

WHAT do you want to say?

 

2 Peter 3:16 

King James Version

16 As also in all his epistles, 

speaking in them of these things; 

in which are some things hard to be understood, 

which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, 

as they do also the other scriptures, 

unto their own destruction.

Writing is a form of speaking.

Except it's in written form.

More like a monologue.

It gives your audience time to review your material, to think things over.

Or to throw away.

Don't take it personally.

It's just the way things are, usually.

Hard copy (books, letters, pamphlets, contracts, manuals, research) can be thrown, or burned. 

Digital copy (emails, websites, blogs) can be deleted, or blocked.

So, what do you wish to say?

What message do you wish to share, or impart?

That's why it's important to identify your audience well.

So that your message has greater chances of being read.

And your product, or service, may be given due consideration.

If you know your audience, you'll know your tone, the style, the manner of writing.

If you're writing to kids, your tone will be simple, imaginative, and informal, even playful.

If you're writing to professionals, your tone will be professional, and direct, for usually you're all busy people.

Whoever your audience may be, treat them with respect, and consideration.

Go directly to the point.

Pretend everyone's busy, and are giving you a few minutes of their precious time.

Maybe they've got tons of other stuff to read.

Pretend you'd be lucky they'd even give you the time of day.

That way, you'll keep your writing short, and direct.

Nano seconds is all you've got.

Surely I'm exaggerating?

Yes, and no.

Updated 4 March 2022

WHO is your audience?

 

Matthew 23:11-12 

King James Version

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; 

and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Who are you writing for?

Who do you wish to communicate with?

Who would be interested in what you have to say?

Who would be interested in what you have to sell?

What makes you think they'll be interested?

What makes you think they'll buy?

What makes you think they'll read?

What age range do you need to reach?

What educational attainment would they need to have?

What kind of profession or work do they need to have?

Why all the questions from my end?

Well, knowing your audience is important.

That will set the tone for how you will write, teach, or sell.

Things have got to fit, if they are to work.

It's actually plain common sense.

What if God was your audience?

Do you know your audience?

Get a good feel for your potential readers.

Know who you will be writing for.

And don't be afraid.

We're all people.

Even as some are monsters.

But then again, they're infused with a different spirit.

This blog was written, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.

We're here to teach how to write the simplest, kindest, most loving, and easiest way.

Updated 4 March 2022

WRITE simply

 

Psalm 116:6 

King James Version

6 The Lord preserveth the simple: 

I was brought low, 

and he helped me.

Don't be afraid to write.

Don't scare yourself.

Think simple.

Think friendly.

Think happy.

Think God.

That's how it is to start writing.

There's nothing to prove to anyone.

Just write from your heart.

Go straight to the point.

Speak in your own voice.

Don't be who you're not.

Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to pull it off.

People can smell that.

Who is your audience?

Don't forget who you're writing for.

What is your aim?

To inform?

To sell?

To persuade?

To impress?

To show off?

To put down?

To criticize?

To collect?

I hope your aim is to LOVE.

That's what this blog is for.

JESUS taught us to love.

Let's write love letters, conduct loving lectures, speaking gently as we write, or attempt to communicate.

Pretend you're writing to GOD.

Pretend you're showing God what you know.

Pretend you're presenting something to the Lord.

Let GOD be your first reader.

That ought to transform the tone of your writing.

Related material:

TRANSFORMING the TONE

Updated 5 March 2022

FREE writing pointers

 

James 1:5 

King James Version

5 If any of you lack wisdom, 

let him ask of God, 

that giveth to all men liberally, 

and upbraideth not; 

and it shall be given him.

Would you like FREE writing pointers?

Then please accept this little blog from my heart.

It gives me great happiness to share it with you.

For God gave me the spirit for writing.

I'm not a Pulitzer prize winner, but SPIRIT is my coach, and He's all I need.

My writing changed when I became born again nearly 30 months ago.

When that happened, all writing served God alone.

And because I serve God, I serve you, too.

I'd be so honored if you'd give this blog the time of your day.

For you'll find the SPIRIT of CHRIST here.

You'll find practical ideas here.

Everything is laid simply, and clearly for you.

So you can be up and running with your own writing.

Whether it's a letter or email you have to write.

A sales page you need to create.

A lecture you have to conduct.

A book you need to write.

Or wanting to write simply.

And clearly.

Clear, simple writing has solid principles.

Our writing serves under the banner and leadership of Christ.

Let's all be blessed by the Spirit of Christ, in everything we think, say, and do -- offering ALL GLORY back to GOD.

Click the links below to start reading the posts:

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Updated 5 March 2022