How to make your writing not suck

by Jeremy Day @ Tumblemoose

I’m sorry. Really I am. Your writing sucks. Maybe you know it and don’t know what to do about it. Then again, maybe you haven’t even realized your writing sucks yet. Whatever the case, here is my short and sweet guide to making your writing better. Or maybe to just not suck so much!

Write more sucky content.

Here I go contradicting myself. Why you are still reading I don’t know. What I do know is that like anything the law of averages is at work. The more sucky things you write the more good stuff will eventually be produced.

Stop writing sucky content.

More contradictions… No really, stop it! I mean it! Realize when your writing is sucking and just stop doing that. Get feedback. Welcome criticism. Get a thick skin like a rhino. If it makes sense to stop writing that way, then stop it already.

Don’t listen to people.

Listen, but don’t listen. Who appointed them judge, jury, and executioner of your writing anyway? It’s your life, it’s your writing. Do what you want!

Violate every writing rule.

Violate them all horribly well, then go back to the basics. Grammar, spelling, punctuation. Throw them out the window. Who needs them anyway? Then run outside, pick them back up, and use them again. Tools do not make great writing. People make great writing…

Be BOLD in your writing.

… but not too bold. You don’t want to scare the natives. Here’s the big BUT though. BUT,… writing without power is dead. Writing without force is weak. It gets you absolutely nowhere. Go out and punch someone in the face with your writing. Keep doing it. Get them mad. Then hug them with your writing. Practice your “writing judo” and you will astound people!

Lighten up your writing.

… but not too much. Take your craft seriously, but not yourself. No matter how good you are you will always have adoring fans and the critics that follow. The more famous you are the more you will have of both. What does all that mean? I don’t know, you tell me…

I am glad you are still with me. The above is mostly for entertainment purposes, but here is the heart of the matter…

The one best way that I know that can keep my writing from sucking is to write from the core of my being. I try not to write surface level drivel. I reach deep down inside. All the way down to my toes. And I make my words surface like Moby Dick.