My Simple System For How I Write.
Many clients and friends have taken to writing their ideas and musings lately — and with lovely results. Writing clears our mind, sorts our ideas, and brings joy when even one person enjoys our words or learns. Some clients at Fortune 500 clients have found sharing their writing via LinkedIn catapults them within their company with even the CEO becoming a fan. As one client has told me, “writing frees me to speak my mind, uninterrupted, and without fear.”
But how do we organize our written words in ways which flow, hook, then retain our readers? I don’t have all the answers; but in this week’s Medium post, I’m sharing my approach to organizing my ideas for tactical articles and then sharing with others. (I’m tackling here the writing of the first draft, not the polishing and self editing which comes next. I’ll write on that process as a follow-up.) I’m also offering (in spirit of Mother’s Day this past weekend) how I fit the writing in most weeks, alongside full-time coaching, and the inevitable pulls of domesticity and parenthood.
Commit. Add Art and Headline It
Because I’ve never struggled for ideas on what to write about, my bigger challenge often ties to choosing which topic. Once committed, the rest of my writing flows. I discern which idea to write on each week based on what my coaching clients struggle with and I feel curious about. Writing unlocks the learning.
Acting vs. fussing becomes key. I type within Medium the headline first to build vital momentum. (For your headline, go for 3–7 words and keep things clear and simple.) Add your visual and a caption, which becomes your tweet of your message. (I interview Jennifer Kho, Executive Editor at the Chicago Sun Tribune on this craft, too in my Sage Sayers podcast.)
I create my own images or commission magazine-quality images from Adobe Licensed images. Doing so appeals to my Stickler saboteur and because this first effort looks so pretty, I’m lured to come back. [On the timing: I typically do the headline, intro, the image, and caption in the first sitting — about 15 minutes.]
Introduce Your Concept
Within your opening paragraph, you’re wanting to set things up for your reader. No one format exists; I try covering the Five W’s and the How that news reporters must follow for a news story. This tactical approach includes the what, where, when, why, who, and how.
If that idea complicates, think of the opening paragraph as providing your reader with bearings on what you wish to say, why, and what you hope they’ll learn or discover by the end. Less becomes more. Go for one or two short introductory paragraphs.
How about the tone? I say informal’s best. Write to your audience like you’re chatting with them at a cafe or within your living room. I choose this visual to help keep my voice conversational vs. didactic.
Unpack Key Ideas In the Body
Whatever you introduced in your intro becomes your contract with you and your reader. You’ve swaddled us in this comforting idea of what comes next; now, deliver. If you can’t resist spinning off in too many directions, consider multiple essays or articles vs. overwhelming your reader. Some small tools can include:
- Stay relevant
- Offer 3–5 key ideas per post
- Provide specifics
- Follow a helpful format for effective paragraphs with a topic sentence, supporting key ideas, a ‘so what’ sentence at the end
[On the timing: I often return to write the body— about 30 minutes.]
Close Strong
Now you’ve your intro complete and your body with three to four paragraphs containing your musings or learning on your chosen topic. The conclusion (a favorite part of my writing) can take whatever form you pick. We can (in my view) really speak to our reader from this final vantage point having shared what you know and now, how you feel about your topic. For a memorable ending, consider:
- Sitting within a paragraph or two. Keeping things short
- Speaking from your heart using reflective language on what has come clearer for you, something you want the world to know
- Reminding us of some brief significance
- Inviting your readers to challenge or weigh in on what you’ve discovered then shared today. (1–2 sentences)
[On the timing: I often write the conclusion last and enjoy thinking about things in between, especially while tasking, and preferably for a day at least. Reflecting feels vital. The writing itself: about 5-10 minutes.]
Writing empowers me more than any other skill I possess in part because I feel lighter and absolutely love it. Also, sharing my words and musings with others brings me confidence, meaning, and purpose. The structuring often intimidated me; but with lots of practice, has gotten easier and more intuitive.
I hope that in sharing my format and approach, you’ll see it’s quite easy, once we get started. I also recommend finding writing you love and saving it. Dissect the format as much as the writing itself. Emulate and make the format your own.
Debbi Gardiner McCullough coaches and trains immigrant leaders to become more confident, concise, and mentally fit communicators. From Wisconsin, she owns and runs Hanging Rock Coaching and coaches worldwide with BetterUp.