the 3 things it takes to be a writer.

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the holistic nature of writing, asserting its power to shape the world. They discuss the importance of clarity, meaningfulness, and persuasiveness in writing, using examples from social media and emails to illustrate effective communication. The process of crafting a message is highlighted, emphasizing working backwards from intent and iterating through drafts to connect with the audience and persuade them to take action or adopt a viewpoint.

Takeaways

• 📝 Writing is a holistic process that goes beyond just words on a page, shaping the world through storytelling and personal expression.
• 🎯 The power of writing lies in its ability to invite readers into the author's mind, stories, and worldview.
• 🌟 A good hook is essential for engaging the audience, whether it's in an email, tweet, or video script.
• 💡 The effectiveness of writing can be enhanced by pairing it with visuals, creating a more compelling narrative.
• 📈 Good writing should be clear, meaningful, and persuasive, aligning with the principles of good design.
• 🔍 Understanding the audience and tailoring the message to them is crucial for effective communication.
• 🔄 The writing process often involves iteration and refining the message to better connect with the intended audience.
• 🤔 Starting with the end goal in mind (working backwards from intent) can help clarify the purpose and message of the writing.
• 💌 The structure and content of a message can significantly impact how it is received and whether it prompts the desired action.
• 📚 Regular writing practice helps in honing one's ability to craft clear, meaningful, and persuasive messages.
• 🚀 Sharing personal experiences and stories can add depth and relatability to the writing, making it more impactful.

Q & A

What is the main idea the speaker wants the audience to take away about writing?

The speaker wants the audience to understand that writing is more than just words on a page; it's a holistic way to shape the world and communicate one's thoughts, stories, and perspectives effectively.

How does the speaker describe the power of a single sentence?

The speaker illustrates the power of a single sentence by showing how it can immediately invite people into one's mind, stories, and worldview, highlighting the emotional impact and the importance of context when interpreting meaning.

What are the three criteria the speaker mentions for good writing?

The three criteria for good writing mentioned by the speaker are clarity, meaning, and persuasiveness. The writing should be clear to understand, meaningful in the value it communicates, and persuasive enough to make the reader take action or adopt the writer's point of view.

Why is it important to pair visuals with writing?

Pairing visuals with writing is important because it enhances the overall message and can change the tone or perception of the text. Visuals are part of the greater holistic experience and can make the writing more engaging and impactful.

What is an example the speaker gives to show the importance of clarity in writing?

The speaker provides an example of a tweet that is unclear and difficult to understand, emphasizing that if people don't understand the message, they will likely ignore it or scroll past it.

How does the speaker suggest one should start when trying to improve their writing?

The speaker suggests starting by working backwards from intent, which means figuring out what the writer wants to communicate to the audience and then crafting the message accordingly.

What is the significance of the book title 'I'm Glad My Mom Died' in the context of the talk?

The book title 'I'm Glad My Mom Died' serves as an example to show how context and visuals can dramatically change the interpretation of the same words. The title alone might seem sad or psychopathic, but when paired with a bright and humorous visual, it changes the perception and invites curiosity rather than judgment.

How does the speaker use the example of the email to Shan Perry to illustrate meaningful writing?

The email to Shan Perry is used as an example of meaningful writing because it clearly communicates the sender's decision to quit their job and their interest in working with Shan Perry. It's meaningful because it conveys a significant life change and a direct request that is easy for the recipient to respond to.

What advice does the speaker give for creating persuasive writing?

The speaker advises that persuasive writing should lead the reader to take action or adopt the writer's point of view. This can be achieved by making the reader's life easy by providing clear options, as demonstrated in the email example where the sender presents two ideas and asks for a yes or no response.

What is the speaker's approach to refining their message?

The speaker's approach to refining their message involves multiple iterations and drafts, considering different aspects of their intent, audience segments, and the narrative they want to convey. They use a forcing function of communication to help shape their ideas and ensure they are clear, meaningful, and persuasive.

Why does the speaker encourage regular writing for oneself?

The speaker encourages regular writing for oneself because it helps in wrapping one's head around their thoughts and ideas, which in turn improves the ability to communicate them effectively to an audience.