How to Write an Essay Everyone Wants to Read: 5 Steps to Craft Meaningful Personal Narratives

Summary

In Medium's inaugural Creator Workshop, Amy Scherner and Harris Sockle lead an insightful session on crafting personal essays. They emphasize the importance of observation and note-taking as foundational writing habits, akin to 'being a noticer.' The workshop explores the significance of having a driving question in an essay, the balance between scene and summary, and developing a relatable narrative persona. With examples from published essays on Medium, they illustrate how to engage readers and provide a scaffold for writers. The session concludes with advice on writing exercises, reading widely, and embracing the unique voice of the writer.

Takeaways

• 📓 The importance of being a 'noticer' in the writing life, which means paying attention to the world around you and noting down observations, ideas, and sensory details.
• 📔 The value of free writing and using note cards or digital equivalents to organize thoughts and ideas for future essays.
• ✍️ The advice to 'be a notebook' and gather all sorts of information that might eventually connect into a cohesive essay.
• 🤔 The necessity of having a driving question in an essay that the writer is investigating, which adds excitement for both the reader and the writer.
• 📚 The recommendation to read widely and across different genres to develop as a writer and to find inspiration.
• 📖 The role of a personal essay in telling a story, with elements of plot, character development, and scene setting similar to fiction.
• 🧑‍🎨 The need to develop oneself as a character in a personal essay, being honest and showing both strengths and weaknesses.
• 🎨 The idea that writing is a series of choices, and that the writer is in charge of deciding how to best convey their message.
• 🔍 The presence of two stories in every essay: a small personal story and a larger story that connects to a broader context or theme.
• ⏱ No specific optimal length for essays; the length should serve the story being told, with both beginning and ending clearly defined.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Medium's Creator Workshop?

The purpose of the Medium's Creator Workshop is to guide and support writers, particularly those interested in writing personal essays. The workshop provides insights, strategies, and exercises to help writers develop their skills and understand the nuances of creating compelling personal essays.

Who are Amy Scherner and Harris Sockle, and what are their roles in the workshop?

Amy Scherner is the content lead for writing at Medium and editor of Human Parts, a publication that features the best stories exploring what it means to be human. Harris Sockle is a colleague of Amy's, also involved in the workshop, and he has been featured in various publications, is the author of an Amazon Kindle single, and contributes to the discussion on writing personal essays.

What is the significance of 'Human Parts' in the context of the workshop?

Human Parts is a publication on Medium that showcases the best stories about the human experience. It is significant in the workshop as it serves as a source of examples and inspiration for the participants, highlighting the quality and depth of personal essays that can be achieved.

What is the first step suggested in the workshop for creating a personal essay?

The first step suggested in the workshop for creating a personal essay is 'be a noticer.' This involves paying attention to the world around you, writing down observations, ideas, dialogue, and sensory details, and keeping a notebook or some form of record for future reference.

Why is it important for a personal essay to have a driving question?

A driving question is important for a personal essay because it gives the essay direction and purpose. It helps the writer to investigate and explore a topic deeply, making the journey of discovery exciting for the reader, who follows the writer's thought process and conclusions.

How does the workshop suggest using note cards or a similar system for organizing ideas?

The workshop suggests using note cards or a similar system to gather and organize ideas, observations, and fragments that could potentially become part of an essay. This method allows writers to see patterns and connections and to experiment with the order and structure of their ideas.

What role does reading play in the process of writing a personal essay, according to the workshop?

According to the workshop, reading plays a significant role in the process of writing a personal essay as it helps writers to train their 'noticing muscle.' Reading widely across different genres and topics can provide inspiration, expose writers to different writing styles, and contribute to their overall understanding of storytelling and narrative structure.

Why should a writer consider developing themselves as a character in their personal essay?

A writer should consider developing themselves as a character in their personal essay to create a narrative persona that readers can relate to and engage with. This helps to build a connection between the writer and the reader, making the reader more invested in the writer's journey and insights.

What is the significance of including both a big story and a small story in a personal essay?

Including both a big story and a small story in a personal essay adds depth and resonance to the writing. The small story is the personal experience or narrative that the writer shares, while the big story is the larger context or theme that it connects to. This dual-layered approach makes the essay more meaningful and impactful for the reader.

How does the workshop address the concern of being preachy or self-absorbed in personal essays?

The workshop addresses the concern of being preachy or self-absorbed by encouraging writers to focus on the reader's experience, to be honest about their intentions, and to include a balance of personal strengths and weaknesses. It also suggests being self-deprecating at times and acknowledging that the writer doesn't know everything, which can help to maintain credibility with the reader.

What advice does the workshop give for creating compelling headlines for personal essays?

The workshop advises that headlines should be compelling and make the reader want to engage with the essay. They should reflect the core message or moment of the essay and use strong verbs or assertions. It's also recommended to avoid clickbait and instead focus on creating a headline that is both intriguing and straightforward.