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
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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
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