On writing: notes to self…

For 2017, I have decided to improve my writing skills. This article is a brief summary of advice I was able to find and comprehend thus far.

A while back, I was arguing with a former colleague and I made a claim about a specific piece of information I sent him in an email. His response was that he ignored my emails in general, because they are “too long”. Now that I am working on my writing skills, I feel really good about this (failed) attempt to insult me — I have social proof that I am already able to produce “words”. All I have left to do now, is to make my words better.

As I have endured my fair share of professional mistakes and failures, I have learned that over-confidence is my dearest enemy. The current version of “me” is now able to consistently stop-and-think in order to evade re-inventing the wheel. My search for prior wisdom was successful and I came across Yann Girard (http://www.yanngirard.com/). After a few additional clicks I received access to his ebook “121 Unusual Tips to Being a Better Writer”.

Ironically, some of Yann’s advice for new writers, is that we should not write on Medium only. Although my goals are to just improve my writing, Yann’s advice makes sense to me and I will move my posts to my own blog/site, when am able to put in all the setup work. Anyway and to my self, here is some of Yann’s other advice I am finding most useful thus far:

• Don’t wait until you become better. Start today.
• The only way you’ll become a better writer is to write.
• If you get past 100 posts I guarantee you that you’ll be a lot better writer than 95% of the people will ever be.
• The first two lines is where 99% of the people drop out. It has to be brilliant. Otherwise people will stop reading.
• The last two lines are the make it or break it decision. If the last two lines are absolutely breathtaking people will share your piece of art.
• Don’t waste your energy trying to convince someone that doesn’t agree. Respect their opinion and move on.
• The top 1% writers know is that you can leverage your writing into something bigger.
• If you’re constantly worried about your brand, you probably don’t have a brand…

(Since I am on Medium, I want to make the best use of this style guide)

These are just the things I understand right now and can apply to my current state. The book is packed full of insights applicable to full time / professional writers. My next steps are to immediately take only that one first next step…