Q-Tips for Penetrating Writing(#1)

Students often ask me: How can I write better?

Here is my response, in installments, via e-lessons. I hope that it helps.

Q-Tip #1: Write, write, and write some more

Stephen King urges us to ‘write’ if we are to become better writers. He spends three hours each day in a bare room, with minimal distractions, so that he can write. Even if he churns out one, quality sentence, he is pleased.

We need not be so extreme. Instead, we can send an electronic mail, post a reply on a blog, post a blog, send out a text message (in complete sentences), or Twitter. In Facebook or Twitter, we are encouraged to condense our thought and concept of usefulness. In secondary or high school, we learnt précis writing. That was a very useful skill, as it was about brevity. You may recall reducing a 500-word article into 150 words? It was challenging, to say the least.

Text message, or SMS is merely a tool, yet it does not mean we have to compromise our written language with shorthand script and emoticons. Write in full. I have replied to my customers in clear sentences on SMS, to minimize confusion. Attempt to write on one screen, your text message response. That is précis writing. Be precise, accurate and exact.

Keep a journal. Write in it regularly. I suggest using an A5-sized diary, where you can scribble notes and random thoughts. If you awake from a dream, and you are intrigued by an idea, jot it down. It will vanish when you awake. Our unconscious mind can be highly creative while we sleep.

Learn to edit other people’s work. Write and edit your department's Minutes of the Meeting (MOM). Writing the MOM requires unique writing and thinking skills. You will have to listen carefully, condense the conversation, contain the gist of the discussion, capture the essence, and summarise the decisions. Why do you think many staff still fear writing MOMs? They avoid it; thus, they are not confident with their skills of observation, summary and writing.

What do you write about? For starters, write about what is your favourite book, piece of music or recent experience? Focus on the content, and let the words flow. Build the sentence and the words will come. Writing is a habit. It involves learning, and discipline. Start writing, and your thoughts will flow.