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BETH ANN ERICKSON
How To Write Conversationally And Easily Connect With Your Readers
We live in a nano-second world. Today's readers, harried and exhausted
just don't have time to linger, quietly absorbing the glorious intricacies
of the English language.
Nope. Too busy. Way too tired.
This means everything you write has to appeal to the fast paced, raised
on Sesame Street, weaned on MTV generation.
And as a writer, you need to deal with this reality.
But how do you do this?
Easy. Write conversationally.
Now, when you're speaking with another person, they have the benefit
of watching your nonverbal communication. You wave your arms, roll
your eyes, intone your voice… all these nonverbal cues clarify the
message you're trying to convey.
Unfortunately, written words don't transmit nonverbal cues very easily.
That's why you must write conversationally while using absolutely every
tool we can muster to make up for the lack of nonverbal communication.
Here are three of these tools:
First, as a writer, you must "word paint" your message and create as
similar a message in your reader's mind as possible. This means that
you must choose ultra-specific words, particularly verbs. Of course,
using a few passive verbs (such as is/was/had/etc.) is inevitable.
However, whenever possible, eliminate them and replace them with
a vibrant/active/visual verb. This means that a sentence such as "You
are greeted" can easily transform to "Larry greets (active verb) you
the minute you step in the door."
Second, you must also use ultra-specific language.
Readers cannot hear your tone of voice. They cannot observe gestures.
This means that EVERY word you choose MUST carry its weight and
propel your message forward.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about. What do you visualize
when you read this sentence?
“I drive a car.”
Weak sentence, eh? We've probably got two very different pictures in
our mind. Here's a better sentence:
"I drive a red car."
Closer but I'd venture to guess that our pictures are still very different.
How's this?
"I drive a cherry red 2005 Porsche 911 Turbo S. Coupe with an
incredible 3.6 L. Turbo engine."
OK. Now we're probably "seeing" the same car PLUS you can infer
a number of my personality traits based on this car I drive.
How would your opinion change if I told you I really drive a '93
earth friendly three-cylinder Geo Metro hatch back?
I don't drive either of these cars, but by now I'm sure you're able to
see how word choice can influence your reader's opinion of your
message.
Lastly, you've probably heard the writer's mantra, “show, don't tell"
.
This sentence puzzled me for far to long. It's actually a very easy
concept to understand.
Suppose you came across this line, "The food is cold."
This sentence doesn't draw a “word picture.” In fact, at this point,
you're probably not even sure if "cold food" is a good or bad thing.
Here's a better phrase: Light dances on little ice crystals as the
waiter carries your own little slice of heaven.
Or perhaps instead of saying, "The food is hot," write "Fragrant steam
drifts upwards as..." well, I'm sure you get the idea.
So yes. Write conversationally, but choose ultra specific words.
This means you tighten your verbs. You won't get rid of every passive
verb, and that's fine. However, you must pull every weapon out of your
arsenal to make your reader see, taste, smell, hear, and feel this world
you're creating.
Paint vivid word pictures and you'll connect with your readership like
you never have before.
©2006 BETH ANN ERICKSON
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