How to improve your writing:
1. Get ideas on paper: Put words on the page as fast as you can. First drafts are always messy. But you can only start shaping ideas into polished writing once they're out of your head. The beauty and clarity you desire will emerge with each edit.
1. Get ideas on paper: Put words on the page as fast as you can. First drafts are always messy. But you can only start shaping ideas into polished writing once they're out of your head. The beauty and clarity you desire will emerge with each edit.
2. Finding ideas
Sherlock Holmes once said: "The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes." But when you write regularly, you start observing those things because the pen turns you into a curious detective who is always hunting for clues.
Sherlock Holmes once said: "The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes." But when you write regularly, you start observing those things because the pen turns you into a curious detective who is always hunting for clues.
3. Collecting ideas
Finding ideas isn't enough. You have to save them too. Preferably, in a centralized place where you can instantly search for the best ideas you've ever had. The better your note-taking system, the less you have to rely on memory.
Finding ideas isn't enough. You have to save them too. Preferably, in a centralized place where you can instantly search for the best ideas you've ever had. The better your note-taking system, the less you have to rely on memory.
https://twitter.com/david_perell/status/1244089929258250240?s=20
4. Stay consistent
The Soul Cycle Effect says that people push themselves harder with a group of committed people than they do on their own. If it helps, find a writing group. Meet daily, but don't worry if you miss a session. Set intentions for the day before you start writing.
The Soul Cycle Effect says that people push themselves harder with a group of committed people than they do on their own. If it helps, find a writing group. Meet daily, but don't worry if you miss a session. Set intentions for the day before you start writing.
5. The two benefits of reading
Painters look at lots of art, musicians listen to lots of music, and writers read all the time. Read to collect ideas and get inspired. Save the best ideas into your note-taking system and let yourself be inspired by the majesty of beautiful prose.
Painters look at lots of art, musicians listen to lots of music, and writers read all the time. Read to collect ideas and get inspired. Save the best ideas into your note-taking system and let yourself be inspired by the majesty of beautiful prose.
6. The two modes of writing: Beer Mode and Coffee Mode
In Beer Mode, you enter a state of play and joy where you laugh with friends and collect experiences. Coffee Mode is where the actual writing happens. It's full of focus and empty of distractions.
In Beer Mode, you enter a state of play and joy where you laugh with friends and collect experiences. Coffee Mode is where the actual writing happens. It's full of focus and empty of distractions.
https://twitter.com/david_perell/status/1374214793792516099?s=20
7. Time-box your writing sessions
Chances are, you're limited not by how much time you spend writing, but by how productive you are when you actually write. Set a timer for your sessions and force yourself to stop when it goes off. Doing so will inspire the focus you need.
Chances are, you're limited not by how much time you spend writing, but by how productive you are when you actually write. Set a timer for your sessions and force yourself to stop when it goes off. Doing so will inspire the focus you need.
8. Ending writing sessions
Flow states are the holy grail of this craft. Once you're done writing, give yourself 60 seconds to jot down what you were thinking when you stopped writing and what you plan to accomplish next time at the top of the page.
Flow states are the holy grail of this craft. Once you're done writing, give yourself 60 seconds to jot down what you were thinking when you stopped writing and what you plan to accomplish next time at the top of the page.
https://twitter.com/david_perell/status/1292193245305270272?s=20
9. Imitate, then Innovate
Learn from the writers who inspire you. Study their tricks and imitate them. Paradoxically, imitating them will help you develop your own style. As their words enter your heart and become a part of you, you'll find your voice.
Learn from the writers who inspire you. Study their tricks and imitate them. Paradoxically, imitating them will help you develop your own style. As their words enter your heart and become a part of you, you'll find your voice.
https://twitter.com/david_perell/status/1343622731103956993?s=20
10. Grammar
Wait to study grammar. No part of writing is as important as having something interesting to say in the first place. That’s why we can read poorly written comments for hours on Reddit written by guys in their underwear but get bored with academic writing in a second.
Wait to study grammar. No part of writing is as important as having something interesting to say in the first place. That’s why we can read poorly written comments for hours on Reddit written by guys in their underwear but get bored with academic writing in a second.
11. Writer's block
If you're struggling to get ideas out of your mind and onto the page, start writing while you walk. Go for a stroll and capture the best ideas that come to mind. Or, talk into your phone and transcribe what you say. Move your body to ignite your creativity.
If you're struggling to get ideas out of your mind and onto the page, start writing while you walk. Go for a stroll and capture the best ideas that come to mind. Or, talk into your phone and transcribe what you say. Move your body to ignite your creativity.
12. Growing your audience
It's nice to have people read what we write, so focus on a specific topic that people care about. The more niche, the better. Learn as much as you can and share the best things you learn. Publish consistently and keep improving.
It's nice to have people read what we write, so focus on a specific topic that people care about. The more niche, the better. Learn as much as you can and share the best things you learn. Publish consistently and keep improving.
https://twitter.com/david_perell/status/1259539005097426944?s=20
Writing online is one of the highest leverage things you can do for your career. With the stroke of a pen, you can attract like-minded people and accelerate your career.
Follow me to learn more: @david_perell
Follow me to learn more: @david_perell
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