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15 writing tips that I picked up from @david_perell 50 Days of Writing.
Those who can communicate their thoughts clearly will forever have an unfair advantage over those who can't.
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Those who can communicate their thoughts clearly will forever have an unfair advantage over those who can't.
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1. Good writing doesn't happen by accident.
Every prolific author has a system for:
- Taking notes
- Sourcing ideas
- Writing first drafts
- Distributing final copies
Invest in your process and the results will follow. Trust me.
Every prolific author has a system for:
- Taking notes
- Sourcing ideas
- Writing first drafts
- Distributing final copies
Invest in your process and the results will follow. Trust me.
2. Capture every idea into a note-taking system.
Never let an inspired moment go to waste.
Evernote works for me.
Roam and Notion are popular as well.
Learn how to build a second brain from @fortelabs
Never let an inspired moment go to waste.
Evernote works for me.
Roam and Notion are popular as well.
Learn how to build a second brain from @fortelabs
3. Write once, build twice.
Once you write something down, you can remix and reuse that idea for the rest of your life.
Every note is a Lego block added to your intellectual arsenal.
The more Legos you have, the more things you can build.
Once you write something down, you can remix and reuse that idea for the rest of your life.
Every note is a Lego block added to your intellectual arsenal.
The more Legos you have, the more things you can build.
4. 50 gallons of sap makes 1 gallon of syrup.
Spend most of your time away from the computer collecting experiences.
When you return to write, you'll have much more to say.
You can't be interesting online if you're not interesting in real life.
Spend most of your time away from the computer collecting experiences.
When you return to write, you'll have much more to say.
You can't be interesting online if you're not interesting in real life.
5. Creativity can be cultivated.
Your mind follows the body.
If you're in a creative rut:
- Take a nap
- Play a game
- Go for a walk
Sleep, leisure, and movement can be used to jumpstart your imagination.
Your mind follows the body.
If you're in a creative rut:
- Take a nap
- Play a game
- Go for a walk
Sleep, leisure, and movement can be used to jumpstart your imagination.
6. Write about things that don't make sense.
The things that surprise you will surprise your readers as well.
The things that surprise you will surprise your readers as well.
7. Avoid cliché ideas.
Use specific examples over vague generalizations.
Be prescriptive with your advice and pragmatic with your recommendations.
The 10,000-foot view is uninteresting.
Zoom-in and write about the particulars.
Use specific examples over vague generalizations.
Be prescriptive with your advice and pragmatic with your recommendations.
The 10,000-foot view is uninteresting.
Zoom-in and write about the particulars.
8. Eliminate weak, wasted, and redundant words.
Weak words lack meaning.
Wasted words don’t serve a purpose.
Redundant words say the same thing twice.
Avoid these three deadly sins by compressing your sentences.
Weak words lack meaning.
Wasted words don’t serve a purpose.
Redundant words say the same thing twice.
Avoid these three deadly sins by compressing your sentences.
9. Write CLEAR sentences.
- Create a rhythm
- Link your sentences
- Eliminate anything that adds confusion
- Add colorful details
- Remove unnecessary details
Remember: Great editing makes for great writing.
- Create a rhythm
- Link your sentences
- Eliminate anything that adds confusion
- Add colorful details
- Remove unnecessary details
Remember: Great editing makes for great writing.
10. Swap "And/Then" with "But/Therefore"
"But" creates conflict.
"Therefore" resolves tension.
Use conflict and tension to propel your story forward.
"But" creates conflict.
"Therefore" resolves tension.
Use conflict and tension to propel your story forward.
11. Originality is overrated.
@harari_yuval sold 12 million copies of Sapiens without adding any original research.
Drawing inspiration is not the same thing as plagiarism.
Don't fear plagiarism to the extent that you risk being boring.
@harari_yuval sold 12 million copies of Sapiens without adding any original research.
Drawing inspiration is not the same thing as plagiarism.
Don't fear plagiarism to the extent that you risk being boring.
12. Imitate your favorite writers and shamelessly copy their style.
All creativity is inspired by others.
Nobody starts from a blank page.
The faster you embrace that, the more successful you can be as a writer.
All ideas are second-hand.
All creativity is inspired by others.
Nobody starts from a blank page.
The faster you embrace that, the more successful you can be as a writer.
All ideas are second-hand.
13. Writing online is like bringing dessert to a party.
You can either invent your own recipe or add a unique twist to a popular one.
Avoid competition by bringing treats that everybody wants but nobody thought to bring.
You can either invent your own recipe or add a unique twist to a popular one.
Avoid competition by bringing treats that everybody wants but nobody thought to bring.
14. Share earned secrets.
Earned secrets are ideas that only you can write about.
They’re valuable because they can only be acquired via circumstance or hard work.
My favorite example is @danielxli newsletter coverage of the Seattle/PNW startup market.
Earned secrets are ideas that only you can write about.
They’re valuable because they can only be acquired via circumstance or hard work.
My favorite example is @danielxli newsletter coverage of the Seattle/PNW startup market.
15. Great writing has three POP elements:
Personal: Tell stories and convey emotion.
Observational: Add new insights.
Playful: Don't take yourself too seriously.
Balance all three into your writing style.
Personal: Tell stories and convey emotion.
Observational: Add new insights.
Playful: Don't take yourself too seriously.
Balance all three into your writing style.
[Credit] Icelandic photographs by Peter Eastway.
Want more great writing advice?
Go read Dave's ultimate guide to writing online. It's gold. https://perell.com/essay/the-ultimate-guide-to-writing-online/
Go read Dave's ultimate guide to writing online. It's gold. https://perell.com/essay/the-ultimate-guide-to-writing-online/
I share ideas on productivity, performance, and personal development with other young professionals once a week.
There's always room for one more. Join us. https://tylerdevries.com/newsletter/
There's always room for one more. Join us. https://tylerdevries.com/newsletter/
