The #1 Fix to Write Engaging Prose

Summary

In this video, Tim Grahl teaches writers how to transform mundane, passive writing into compelling, exciting prose. By emphasizing the importance of having a clear opinion about the story and using strong, intentional verbs, adjectives, and nouns, writers can make their sentences more engaging. Through real-world examples and a practical exercise, Tim demonstrates how small changes in word choice can drastically alter the tone and emotional impact of a sentence, helping readers stay invested and eagerly anticipating the next part of the story.

Takeaways

• 😀 Writing becomes boring when the author lacks a clear opinion about the story's events.
• 😀 A writer should aim to guide the reader’s perspective, not just report what’s happening.
• 😀 Stories are about change, and the writer's opinion on that change should show up in every sentence.
• 😀 To make sentences more compelling, focus on verbs, descriptors (adjectives/adverbs), and nouns.
• 😀 The writer's opinion is essential in creating vivid, engaging sentences—this helps the reader understand how to think or feel about the events.
• 😀 Simple changes in verbs can drastically alter the tone of a sentence (e.g., 'walked' vs 'strutted').
• 😀 Descriptors like adjectives and adverbs give important emotional or sensory context to a scene.
• 😀 Even the nouns you choose, such as 'dog' vs 'mutt,' can deeply impact the reader's understanding and the scene's mood.
• 😀 Writers should constantly ask themselves: 'What do I think about what's happening?' and ensure that opinion shows up in the writing.
• 😀 Practicing sentence variation through exercises, like rewriting a simple sentence in different ways, can strengthen your writing skills.

Q & A

What is the main issue with boring writing, according to Tim Grahl?

The main issue with boring writing is a lack of clear opinion about what's happening in the story. Writers often fall into the trap of presenting their story from a passive, godlike perspective instead of showing a strong, opinionated stance that drives the narrative forward.

Why do writers avoid having an opinion in their writing?

Writers may avoid having an opinion due to the fear of being too assertive, pushing too much description, or feeling like they are forcing a viewpoint. However, this leads to writing that is bland and fails to engage readers.

What role do authors play in the change that occurs in their stories?

Authors are responsible for showing the kind of change they believe should occur in the world and in their stories. They should have a clear opinion on the transformation they want their readers to undergo, whether it’s about love, justice, self-reflection, or relationships.

How can a writer express their opinion in each sentence?

A writer can express their opinion in each sentence by choosing strong verbs, specific descriptors, and purposeful nouns. This ensures that the sentence not only describes what’s happening but also conveys the author’s viewpoint on the events.

What does Tim Grahl mean by a sentence being 'compelling' and 'exciting'?

A compelling and exciting sentence is one that pulls the reader through the story, making them eager to read the next line. It should evoke emotion, intrigue, and a sense of urgency or importance about what’s happening.

What are the three key elements to focus on when improving sentences?

The three key elements to focus on are verbs, descriptors (like adjectives and adverbs), and nouns. Each of these components can be adjusted to express a clearer opinion and provide more detailed information to the reader.

Can you give an example of how changing a verb can impact a sentence?

Yes, for example, the verb 'walked' can be changed to 'strolled', 'marched', 'sauntered', or 'scampered'. Each of these verbs adds a different meaning, such as leisure, purpose, confidence, or speed, changing the entire tone and impression of the action.

What is the difference between the sentences 'He was thinking negatively' and 'His brain was treacherously negative'?

The first sentence is neutral and lacks any strong opinion about the thinking process. The second sentence, however, conveys a much clearer opinion, suggesting that the negativity is not only present but also dangerous or harmful, through the use of words like 'treacherously' and 'brain'.

Why does Tim Grahl emphasize the importance of knowing who you're telling the story to?

Knowing who you're telling the story to is crucial because it shapes how you convey the narrative. Depending on your audience, you may change the language, tone, and details to elicit the desired reaction or to suit the relationship you have with them.

What is the exercise Tim Grahl suggests for improving sentence writing?

Tim Grahl suggests an exercise where you take a simple sentence, like 'The man sat down in the chair', and write 10 different versions of it. The goal is to experiment with verbs, nouns, and descriptors, adding an opinion to the action and offering more insight into the character and scene.