When you are actively engaged in the business of writing, it is possible to fall into the same rut that some couples seem to fall into who complain of losing their sexual spark or passion. So how does this happen and most importantly- is it preventable?
No worries, dear writer, it’s not a disease nor debilitating illness that we speak of here–simply a bump in the cycle of writing that must be avoided at all costs.
How to Be Sure Your Reader Climaxes:
Oh, you’ve heard the questions a hundred times if you’ve heard it once. Sometimes it comes as a simple, “Did you?” and sometimes a blatant, “Was it good for you too?” is blasted your way right after a sexual encounter. Let me just say, as kindly as possible that if you have to ask, it wasn’t all that special.
When writing, let’s be sure to take our reader to new, previously unexperienced levels of deep satisfaction. Let’s take them to those knowing realms where we can linger back for a moment, ever so smugly, just knowing that we’ve pleased and touched them in a real and eternal way.
I’m writing this post at three a.m. as a product of a dream I was having. When I awoke, I had this entire article in my head so clearly that I had to open my laptop and begin to write. Good writing is just satisfying like that. It all comes together with an ebb and flow, easy and free and yet well rounded and unforgettable. The art of writing…whether a short article or a novel, is very much like creating a small person. Your article or piece of literature should have a definitive personality once you have completed it. It should stand on it’s own, or even fly right away from you–ready to take on the world. When you’ve accomplished that, you’ll never have to ask the reader, or an editor, if it was “good.”
Have a Hook:
If you are a lover, or even tolerator, of classical music, you soon come to know that most worthy musical compositions have a crescendo–or as I like to call them, a climax. When listening to a favorite piece of music, there is a period of “building up” to the crescendo, an excitement, an interest, a longing if you will. A good article or piece of writing can, and should, have the same build up that a piece of music contains. Writing is an art form, just as photography, painting and musical compositions are. As artists, do we sometimes lose our touch? Of course we do. But as with sex, we can get our groove back if we realize it has gone missing. And very similar to sexual pleasure, writing is an experience in which we should concentrate on pleasing our partner (the reader). By doing so, self-pleasure will certainly and effortlessly follow.
Have I got your wheels turning yet, oh writing guru? Good. That was my intention. I’ve said it a hundred times and I will say it again here and now–there is too much regurgitated sludge out there, especially on the internet. If your skills are going to shine through and you are going to be respected as a true leader in your field, you’re going to have to be unique, intelligent, fluid, and have the ability to hold the interest and excitement level of your reader. I believe the word I’m looking for is “engaging.” Practice being engaging this week. Do it on the phone, face to face, everywhere you turn… If you are engaging in life, you will be engaging when you write, I promise.
This is especially true for the writer who has experienced a period of ‘writer’s block’ or just plain mental stagnation. Suddenly, when you become engaging–you’ll be able to gently and delightfully lead your dear reader down the path of desire. Your writing will become crisp, alive, and pungent. You will once again be able to sit before an empty piece of paper (or blog square) and see it’s potential. The empty palette will be inviting instead of frightening. When this happens, you’ve arrived.
Lately, my writing has been that way. Like a favorite song, the words just flow. It’s a wonderful, fulfilling feeling.
One last word about writing—have a hook. Classical music has it’s crescendo, it’s strong and vibrant climax…but so does every favored piece of music and art. Everything has it’s own personal ‘hook.’ My current favorite song is Annie by Safetysuit. It is simply and divinely a beautiful song. It’s new and I never would have heard of the band had it not been for my teenage son, but I found the actual song, Annie, by myself while digging through a few playlists. It has since become a family favorite.
The song is basically about a girl who is beautiful. Inside and out, she can light up a room. Of course, Annie isn’t aware of this quality that others (especially the songwriter) find in her. Annie sees nothing beautiful, nothing wonderful and seems to suffer from low self esteem. The lead singer unfolds the story very pleasantly. The song itself is quite intoxicating. But of course, being a writer and hopeless romantic– there is one simple line that I wait for every time I listen to the song. For me, it is my personal hook, my climax…it is the part that makes me smile. The line of the song says, “Annie, you are the one sight my eyes never tire of.” Once I’ve heard that line I sort of drift away, satisfied and smiling. For me, that is the best line—it’s my happy place. When you write, be sure your article, story, or web copy has it’s own hook, it’s own happy place, it’s own fulfilling sentence and you won’t go wrong. I Promise.
Writing is a pleasure, an art form, a wonderful experience… As writers, lets be sure to keep it that way.
“…And Annie you are the one sight my eyes never tire of, it’s like I cannot get enough of you” ~ Safetysuit
Twitter
LinkedIn
StumbleUpon
Facebook
Digg