Thread by @Nicolascole77

Outdated Writing Advice:

"Just sit down and write what you know."

I'm sorry, but I find this incredibly vague and ineffective.

It makes the blank page feel insurmountable.

Instead, I've created a framework for achieving 100% clarity in your writing.

Here it is 🧵👇

Step 1: What type of content is this?

- Original
- Curated
- Researched

Everything written is 1 of these 3. Half the battle is knowing which of these 3 roads you're going to travel down.

Is this your own idea? Someone else's idea? Or lots of ides grouped together?

Step 2: How are you saying something "different?"

In Category Pirates (w/ @EddieWouldGrow & @lochhead) we call this DAMing the demand.

Your content is seen as "different" when you:

- Modify an existing category

- Frame, Name, and Claim a new problem.

categorypirates.substack.com/p/how-to-dam-t…

Step 3: What tone do you want to use?

Low-quality writing uses singular tones. "This is motivating" or "This is happy."

High-quality writing uses 2+ opposing tones. "This is motivating but brutally honest" or "This is sad but nostalgic."

Clarity & tension = tone.

Step 4: Create a "different" voice by twisting these 5 knobs.

- Word choice
- Perspective
- Rate of Revelation (Pace)
- Spelling/Grammar
- Rhythm & Flow

The more consciously you twist these knobs, in the context of the broader category, the more "different" your voice sounds.

Step 5: How can you use Languaging to create "your own language?"

Languaging = the strategic use of language to change thinking.

The more you can play with certain words and meanings in intentional ways, the more you end up shaping a different world around your voice/content.

Step 6: What conceptual format are you using?

There are 2 ways to use formatting to achieve differentiation in your writing.

- Conceptual
- Literal

Conceptual means the way you are organizing information adds a new layer of dimension to the work.

Step 7: What literal formats are you using?

The second use of formatting is how are you organizing the information on the page.

Not conceptually, but literally.

- Do you use subheads, Y/N?
- Are you playing with different fonts?
- Pulling out quotes?
- Etc.

If you go through these 7 steps BEFORE you write, you will walk into the writing with total clarity as to what you are setting out to create.

If you don't, you're approaching the blank page with a "hope it turns out OK" strategy.

And I've never found that to be very effective.

For more writing frameworks, you know where to find me:

ship30for30.com