7 Painless Writing Tips That Make a Powerful Impact
By: Jessica A
Tags: Writing, Writing Tips, Writing Life, Creativity, Creative Process

1. Give me that title*

“What does an algorithm know about creating intriguing titles?” I snorted when I first discovered the headline-analyser co-schedule somewhere in the ether. As an experiment, I ran my most and least successful blog titles through the search bar and was horrified to discover co-schedule judged them accurately.

It’s actually a useful tool. OK, so it won’t get your puns and it’s not infallible, but it does analyse your title for a metrics you’re probably not aware of:

Sentiment: decides if you’re being optimistic or a killjoy; titles with a positive sentiment typically do best.

Keywords: measure your choices against words most commonly searched for by inquisitive Googlers.

Length analysis: tells you off for being too wordy or too terse; there’s both an optimal character- and word-count for clicks.

Word balance: takes a cold, hard look at the readability and attractiveness of your title.

*Meghan Trainor, ‘Title’

When 2. becomes one*

I had no idea how often I was writing “very embarrassed” when I meant “mortified” or “anxious and upset” when I meant “traumatised”. And while I’m on the subject, “I won’t” will always feel more natural than “I will not”. Two words are rarely better than one: be concise, make an impact.

*The Spice Girls, ‘When Two Becomes One’

3. I’d do anything for love (But I won’t do that)*

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again (and again until the end of time): go through your writing and remove every excess “that”. You’ll find an alarming amount and you’ll thank me.

*Meat Loaf, ‘I’d Do Anything for Love’

4. I came in like a wrecking ball*

Begin with ferocity. It takes 2 minutes of rewriting or swapping sentences around to make sure your first line is a dagger to the heart. Edit with ferocity. “I stood there and watched while the building burned down to the ground” becomes “I watched the building burn”. Fire. Literally.

*Miley Cirus, ‘Wrecking Ball’

5. Let’s twist Again*

I’ve read advice to “never use common phrases or cliches”. It’s a (partial) lie; you should absolutely use both, just remember to give them your own twist — however small. “through thick and extremely thin” will always be more interesting than “through thick and thin”.

*Chubby Checker, ‘Let’s Twist Again’

6. Why. do. we. crucify ourselves?*

You never need to apologise for what you’re saying. This isn’t because you’re always right (you’re not) but because qualifiers make your work less impactful and we should believe what we write. You don’t need to say “I believe, in my humble opinion, xyz”: we know it’s in your opinion because you’re writing it — and we’re under no illusions you’re humble.

*Tori Amos, ‘Crucify’

7. Stop! In the name of love*

This is my favourite all-time tip because it means doing absolutely nothing. After you finish writing, stop. Breathe. Step away from the laptop. Drink tea. Cuddle the cat.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been writing, no one can get away without editing after a break to clear their head. I should know: I once published an article that began “I once lived in a house in a house.” Sounds magical but is misleading.

*The Hollies, ‘Stop in the Name of Love’