We don’t see what we read.
We hear it.
If each sentence is the same length, you sound boring.
Instead, aim for 20% long and 80% short.
Make your sentences sing.
Most people suck at writing.
But if you avoid these 12 common mistakes, I guarantee you won’t:
🧵
We don’t see what we read.
We hear it.
If each sentence is the same length, you sound boring.
Instead, aim for 20% long and 80% short.
Make your sentences sing.
Writing and editing are two separate skills.
Mix them and you suck at both.
Instead:
Leave 24 hours between each session (longer if possible).
Write first, edit later.
Before we read, we assess.
'Is this worth my energy?'
Be easy to read and you'll be easy to love.
Schools teach you to use complex and clever language.
But online, personality wins.
Treat writing like a conversation with a close friend.
Read it out loud before you publish.
Delete anything you wouldn’t say in person.
Stephen King once said, ‘The road to hell is paved with adverbs.’
They don’t strengthen your point.
They weaken your writing.
Use adverbs as an opportunity to swap for bolder language.
Schools punish you for not writing enough, but the internet rewards you for being succinct.
Say what needs to be said, then say no more.
Pro tip:
When you edit, reduce your word count by 30%.
Constraints are the key to creativity.
Writing is a reflection of your thoughts.
And people aren’t interested in weak ideas.
They want strength.
Be bold.
Never hedge your bets.
When you write to everyone, you write to no one.
People want to feel special.
Instead:
Imagine you're speaking to one avatar (write to your past self if you're not sure who)
The worst thing you can be online is boring.
Swap words for more exciting, emotional ones.
(Use https://t.co/TsWfm8u9CG h/t @wrongstowrite)
Passive writing is weak and wordy.
It ruins the flow.
An example:
The girl was smiled at by the boy.
The boy smiled at the girl.
Use this test 👇
12 writing mistakes to avoid:
· Adverbs
· Too wordy
· Big words
· Being boing
· Passive voice
· Hedging bets
· No specificity
· No formatting
· Writing to a crowd
· Sounding academic
· Same sentence length
· Writing & editing together
If you enjoyed this, 2 requests:
1. Drop me a follow @itskierandrew for ideas on writing, philosophy and business
2. Share the thread so others can read
Just click below and up you go, cheers.
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Most people suck at writing.
— Kieran Drew (@ItsKieranDrew) August 16, 2022
But if you avoid these 12 common mistakes, I guarantee you won\u2019t:
\U0001f9f5
But if you're interested in attracting an audience, building your business and creating killer copy, you'd love my newsletter A-B-C.
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MDZS is laden with buddhist references. As a South Asian person, and history buff, it is so interesting to see how Buddhism, which originated from India, migrated, flourished & changed in the context of China. Here's some research (🙏🏼 @starkjeon for CN insight + citations)
1. LWJ’s sword Bichen ‘is likely an abbreviation for the term 躲避红尘 (duǒ bì hóng chén), which can be translated as such: 躲避: shunning or hiding away from 红尘 (worldly affairs; which is a buddhist teaching.) (https://t.co/zF65W3roJe) (abbrev. TWX)
2. Sandu (三 毒), Jiang Cheng’s sword, refers to the three poisons (triviṣa) in Buddhism; desire (kāma-taṇhā), delusion (bhava-taṇhā) and hatred (vibhava-taṇhā).
These 3 poisons represent the roots of craving (tanha) and are the cause of Dukkha (suffering, pain) and thus result in rebirth.
Interesting that MXTX used this name for one of the characters who suffers, arguably, the worst of these three emotions.
3. The Qian kun purse “乾坤袋 (qián kūn dài) – can be called “Heaven and Earth” Pouch. In Buddhism, Maitreya (मैत्रेय) owns this to store items. It was believed that there was a mythical space inside the bag that could absorb the world.” (TWX)
1. LWJ’s sword Bichen ‘is likely an abbreviation for the term 躲避红尘 (duǒ bì hóng chén), which can be translated as such: 躲避: shunning or hiding away from 红尘 (worldly affairs; which is a buddhist teaching.) (https://t.co/zF65W3roJe) (abbrev. TWX)
2. Sandu (三 毒), Jiang Cheng’s sword, refers to the three poisons (triviṣa) in Buddhism; desire (kāma-taṇhā), delusion (bhava-taṇhā) and hatred (vibhava-taṇhā).
These 3 poisons represent the roots of craving (tanha) and are the cause of Dukkha (suffering, pain) and thus result in rebirth.
Interesting that MXTX used this name for one of the characters who suffers, arguably, the worst of these three emotions.
3. The Qian kun purse “乾坤袋 (qián kūn dài) – can be called “Heaven and Earth” Pouch. In Buddhism, Maitreya (मैत्रेय) owns this to store items. It was believed that there was a mythical space inside the bag that could absorb the world.” (TWX)
