A few years ago, The Age of Conversation
My piece pointed towards how writing for the conversational reader was changing. While much of this style of writing includes what I call Eye Rests, my thinking is we need to write conversationally, not compostionally, dig?
The writing is easier. The reading is easier. And by the similarity, you will be more easily recognized in both your talking and your writing. Here's the piece that appeared in AOC I a few years ago:
Do You Talk Write?
Don't be nervous. It's okay. You don't even have to imagine your audience in underwear. It's not so bad, ya'know. Just put both hands on the keyboard and start talking…with your fingers. Write like you talk and more people will hear what you're writing.
If you're hung up on the advice of your English teacher, get over it. Either he didn't explain right…or he was wrong. Top Journalism professors have been singing the "write like you talk" mantra for decades. A few reasons why:
- People are more likely to remember what you've written.
- Because they remember it, they are more likely to share your thoughts with others.
- We live in the McNews generation. We scan. Lectures don't sustain our attention – neither do long sentences.
Writing like you talk can also be a freeing feeling to those who think they are poor writers. Of course, writing is a muscle that improves with consistent use. Here are a few exercises to build up those muscles.
Get to the Point: You can always elaborate as you get into the story, but unless you want to lose readers…get to the point likkety-split.
Pause on Purpose: How do you punctuate a pause when you're talking? With a sigh? Maybe a single word. Hmmm…how can we put this in written form? Oh…we just did, yes?
Read Out Loud: We've all seen this exercise, but do we practice it? If you do, one of two things will happen. Either you'll write like you talk – or talk like you write. For the love of Shakespeare, let's hope it's the former.
Keep 'em Moving: Your words. Your readers eyes. Like they're standing in line at Starbucks waiting for morning coffee. Keep them moving forward or lose 'em.
Listen, when your readers tell you they can hear your voice in the words – you've hit the target.
Still nervous? Don't be. Remember, you can always imagine your audience wearing a clown nose or something.
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