The A-Z of Great Writing
Everything you need to know.
Writing is hard.
Writing well is much harder.
Writing great stuff that people would love to read is the hardest.
Plus, it doesn’t help that there are so many videos and posts and tips and articles and courses and blah blah blah that all claim to teach you how to write “better.”.
This post is one of them.
The difference, however, is that while many of those other pieces of content focus on “rules” and “laws” that make writing “great,” this post is concerned with simple, practical writing tips that you can apply immediately, regardless of what you’re writing.
It’s all fundamental stuff, most of which you already know.
They’re easy to learn, easy to remember, and easy to use in your writing.
I guess you can even say they’re as easy as A, B, C...
A – Active Voice
Use the active voice to add more action to your writing.
Instead of “The ball was thrown by John,” write “John threw the ball.”
It’s a simple change, but it immerses your reader into the action being described and makes your sentences easier to understand.
B – Brevity
Write exactly what you mean.
And mean exactly what you write.
Don’t add too many fancy or extra words; they’ll only dilute your message.
Master the art of expressing ideas with as few words as possible.
C – Clarity
Be clear and direct.
Avoid ambiguous phrases and words like “ambiguous.”
Keep your writing at a level that a 12-year-old can understand.
Don’t write, “Some people might consider it unusual”; say, “Many readers find it unusual.”
D – Drafting
Accept that your first draft is a starting point, and it will almost definitely suck.
Imagine the first draft as “vomit.” It’s messy and it’s nasty, and you just want to get it all out of your system.
So do that; write first without judgement and then revise as many times as you want till you’re satisfied.
E – Editing
In my opinion, editing is the real writing.
It’s where your writing truly comes to life.
Turning that vomit from earlier into a 5-star meal is my favourite part of the whole process.
A good tip is to read your work out loud to catch awkward phrases and repetitive words.
F – Flow
Create a natural progression of your ideas in your writing.
Arrange sentences in a manner that leads one thought smoothly to the next.
Transitional words and phrases can be used to bridge ideas seamlessly, so they serve as a guide to your reader.
G – Grammar
The main point of grammar laws is to enhance the delivery of your message.
While most of them can be disregarded, not all of them should.
Punctuation, for example, is not negotiable.
Play around with grammar rules and see the ones that serve your writing the best.
H – Hook
Grab your reader’s attention as quickly as possible.
You can open with an unexpected fact, a bold statement, or a vivid image.
A great hook promises that a piece of writing is worth reading; just make sure you deliver on that promise.
I – Imagery
Paint pictures with your words.
Instead of saying “It was hot,” try “Sweat drenched their bodies as they waited in the room.”
With specific and descriptive images, you can evoke stronger emotions.
J – Jargon
More often than not, it’s not necessary.
Avoid overloading your text with technical terms unless they’re essential.
If you must use them, explain their meaning.
Clear and simple language should always be the priority.
K – Kill Your Darlings
Be ruthless in cutting anything that doesn’t serve your story, no matter how much you love it.
If a sentence or idea isn’t moving your narrative forward, let it go.
L – Lead with Impact
The opening lines should set the stage for what’s to come.
Start with a scene, a question, or an image that instantly draws your reader into your world.
Your intro must never be bland or boring.
M – Metaphors & Similes
Use metaphors and similes to make abstract ideas tangible.
Instead of saying “She was angry,” try “Her anger burnt like a wildfire.”
However, only use comparisons that will be understood by your audience.
N – Narrative Voice
Write the way you talk.
That’s how to develop a distinctive narrative voice that will reflect your personality and perspective.
Your writing voice should feel genuine and consistent, whether it’s in the first-person or third-person.
O – Outline Your Thoughts
It could be a rough draft too.
Before you write, sketch an outline of your main ideas.
It won’t be a rigid blueprint, just a way to organise your thoughts and ensure that your story has a clear structure.
P – Pacing
Mix moments of action with moments of calm.
Fast-paced sections of your writing will build tension, while slower passages will allow your reader to savour the details.
Pacing must always match the mood of the scene.
Q – Questions to Engage
You can ask thoughtful questions in your writing to prompt reflection.
Instead of simply stating facts, invite your readers to think along with you and also share their opinions.
R – Readability
Format your writing for ease.
This is something I’m very particular about.
Use subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs.
Having a clean layout helps your readers digest your ideas without getting lost in dense text.
S – Show, Don’t Tell
Let your reader experience the story through details and actions.
Don’t “write too much.”
Rather than tell “She was sad,” show it: “She stared at the old photograph, her eyes welling up as memories flooded in.”
It’s the simplest way to make your readers feel.
T – Tone with Intention
Decide the tone for your piece and stick with it.
It could be conversational, serious, or humorous.
Your tone sets the reader’s expectations and it should enhance the message of the story.
U – Uniqueness
What’s your unique angle when you write?
Don’t know? Find out.
You can only rehash clichés so many times.
Your writing will be more memorable when infused with your writing.
V – Vivid Verbs
Use dynamic verbs to bring your sentences to life.
Instead of “She ran fast,” try “She sprinted.”
Don’t use too many adverbs, though.
W – Word Choice
Choose only words that convey your message.
Nouns and verbs do the job well.
Using too much adjectives and adverbs will weaken the strength of your writing.
X – X-Factor
This is similar to your voice and uniqueness.
Identify and highlight that special quality that sets your work apart.
Whether it’s an effortless humour or a creative narrative style, your writing should be infused with what makes your perspective one of a kind.
Y – You in Your Writing
Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through.
Use your personal opinions, anecdotes, and reflections to make your writing relatable and engaging.
This is how you speak directly to your readers and build a connection with them.
Z – Zero Fluff
Every word must earn its place on the page.
Edit out unnecessary details that slow down the story.
Strive for precision so that every sentence drives your message forward.
There you have it! Very simple, eh?
Unless you’re doing strict academic work, there are no set “rules” that must be present to make a piece of writing “great.”
Great writing is any writing that the audience enjoys reading and that the writer enjoy writing.
These examples listed above are simple principles that will make your writing engaging and easier to understand.
Thank you for reading.
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Too real about the first draft being vomit 😂😭
Also, editing is the real writing because Omo
Lord knows if I publish something and I see any mistake after, in my head I’m using gun to shoot myself in the foot repeatedly.😭
Plus, I always feel like something can be written better.
Even after publishing I’ll still be feeling like I should have done this or that. It’s well sha.
I speak about editing in all seasons. It’s the icing on the cake! 💯