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Empowering Writing Workshop Samahita Retreat, April 2016

Emily (Laughnan) Alp
Emily (Laughnan) Alp

This workshop was presented to help demystify some parts of the writing process that, when put in a practical light, have the potential to help anyone tap their writing gift as well as share it with the wider world in today's media context. Enjoy!

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Finding the joy in writing and the courage to share it, widely A presentation that evaluates mainstream thinking and reactions around writing rules in order to make them your own Photo credit: Metatron Mandala by Soulscapes
Skill A provocative edit of a talk byAllanWatts, entitled Stop Competing withYourself
Your participation is key Empowering Sharing Rethinking the way you write to enjoy the process Adding more purpose to your pieces (doing more things on purpose) Photo credit:Unsplash/Nasa
Everyone thinks they are a writer because everyone IS a writer. Only difference between me and you is how long Ive been doing it, with focus and determination Talent or skillboth depend on time and practice Tools, e.g., morning pages Image credit:Carli Jean,Unsplash
Who is your audience? Are they like you? Really?Are you sure? Start out writing to yourself but keep the sense of your audiencebusy, inundated with information, seeking guidance but Try, as a writer, not to underestimate someones intelligence or overestimate their knowledge Image credit:Anna Dziubinska,Unsplash Image credit:Anna Dziubinska,Unsplash
Identify and tame your critic You need your critic, like you need your mind You also need to know that it is constructive in the right place, at the right time, and possibly destructive otherwise It is a participating member of the meeting within your mind, not the dominant member
Budget your time You want to finish You have a deadline Build a timeline that allows for time away and returning to the piece as a new you Embrace the process Editorial processsomeone you trust your baby with (or not) Read out loud, finishing touches This all depends on experience and context Image courtesy:my instagram
The writing relationship process Romance/resonance Conception Incubation/growth Birth Taking your baby out in public Grace Image credit:Casey Allen,Unsplash
Romance/Resonance Essential Short-lived Passionate (how do we keep this alive?) Critic is at the table, but is doodling in their notebook at this stage Photo credit:Christopher Sardegna,Unsplash
Concept(ion) Concept Formulation Gatheringinterviewing, brainstorming, researching Essentials decided now, a lot left to decide but it builds on this Critic is still scribbling but kind of paying attention to make sure its all feasible Innovator informs critic, critic advises Image courtesy: Skeeze, Pixabay
Research Wikipediafantastic start You want confidence not just information At least three reliable sources Stop when themes repeat and you feel confident Image credit:Joao Silas,Unsplash
Growth Surrender what you thought so you can integrate the new information Allow the idea to reveal itself Take timesome days where you revisit the ideas, in you mind Transcribe the interview Notice how your idea lives Brainstorm the story with friendsdisguise it as a conversation topic Be open Image courtesy:BlueTreeWith Blossom Bud Dimopoulos,Wikimedia commons
The fun-messy bit Put on some music, give yourself an hour Relax, breath Just startclaim the white space Tune infree-form writing Critic leaves the room along with its grammatical assistants,fact checkers and media analysts Trust, let it flow, let it grow Passion leads in this phase Step back, take a break Image credit:Jason Rosewell,Unsplash
Organizing matter so it matters Sit back down and look at this amorphous, potent information Aha, now how will I turn this into a structured story? With a head A neck A heart Hands that reach out, guide a reader Feet that kick up the dust of the ordinary A soul that lives and haunts them to talk about it with their friends The real pushing begins, the story is being born Image courtesy:Angelina Litvin,Unsplash
Managing the emotions of those first tender moments Your baby is born You are tired You feel many things Mostly protective Take a break Budget at least a day away [You change in time, a lotreread something you wrote 2 years ago, do you recognize it?] Image credit:Varshesh Joshi,Unsplash
Approaching the editorial process Yes, you can achieve the word limit, the critic is great to bring back to the table hereand to lead this part of the process No matter the level, two pairs of eyes are better than one Clean it upsave the scraps somewhere Skilled editor: Luxury of time? Conversation is best, then tracked changes and exchange, then just sending it off. Depends on context.
Saying:There are no good writers, just good editors. Is it true?!? Somebody did all the hard work Somebody had the intentions Somebodys passion is on the line Work togethercombine brains, max this chance OUT Make it about the information, the impact, the effect, not the ego Image credit:Lukas Budimaier,Unsplash
Dressing up Enhance vs. distract Think: using every bit of space wisely Imagesabstract OR precise, active, inclusive Subheads (multipurpose, breakup/air out content and act as transitions) Concision and cadence (getting to the point, sentence lengths, repetition) Image courtesy:Pixabay,Girl,With,Pink,Dress
The stuff editors look for Socializing your child Image credit:Abigail Keenan,UnsplashImage credit:emaze.com
Excessive length Context is everything A book is a book, a feature is a feature, a blog is a blog 5-800 words, please Reader has expectations Meet them halfway Or give them a nap and a pass to the next website (Its hard to cut sentencessave your scraps in a separate document so you feel less fear!) Photo credit:JordanWhitt,Unsplash
Repetition of words and ideas Same word twice in same sentence is a wasted opportunity to enliven the point Putting people in a trance vs. actively engaging them Look closely at your writing because this is subtle. Do you really need to say it two, three different ways? If so, good you decided. If not, cut one of them. Consider this: Is it more important that people read my piece all the way through or that I tell them in three ways that,say,hot dogs are processed and thus not healthy? Image credit:Ng,Unsplash
No little (cookie) breaks?? Even if the topic is serious, breaking it up helps a reader to digest it easily instead of feeling like they are cramming for an examthats really the way of the web and the modern attention span now, actually. Image credit:Padurariu Alexandru,Unsplash
Burying the point Real-life, worldwide, readers have optionsits a competitive, overkill market Readers like to be considered Readers want to know that the writer understands that they are busy, that their time is valuable Show them by getting to the point and then elaborating Let the rest of the story back the point uptell the reader what on Earth is going on,ASAP Image credit:Auggie GomezVergera, augie.com.au
Tempo/sentence length variability This is a pretty big deal Snip apart compound sentences Simple, compound, compound, simple, simple Read out loudfeel the rhythm of the messages and how it helps energize the information Image credit:Jamille Queiroz,Unsplash
Active vs. passive voice Research: passive (put the authors voice and interpretation behind the data) Mainstream media:ACTIVE Ever read a story that gets into your bones? Motivates you to take action? You are telling a storynouns, action verbs, right up front doing something Our audience is only partially a research and/or academic audiencethey are a lay audience: a group of very busy and information bombarded people we wish to inform about something we have the luxury of having experience with Image credit:Adam Horton,Unsplash
(Un)supported claims Its highly effective according to who? (Even in my own experience is fine) Research shows (what research?) Superlativesthe best,the biggest,the most respected What? Really?Who said?? We are on the web so we can link out, use video, draw on resources and inspire confidence
Flow and transition Distinct yet related ideas in paragraphs Look at their levels of relationship Look carefully at their order, how they build on one another, how they relate (editing phase) Like music (parts and wholeeffect) Transitionssentences, words, ways to keep the information humming along End provides a sense of closure, a moral, a lift, a frame, or recaps beginning Image credit:Andrew Bertram,Unsplash
Consistency with rules Know the rules and break them, but break them consistently Shows care, pre-meditation/deliberation Inspires trust in the quality of the pub and the knowledge of the writer Subtle yet important Image courtesy:Lagos04,Unsplash
Levels of excitement Italics Bold Underlined Exclamation points!! ALL CAPS Very Feelingsbut they are yours! Give your audience room to find theirs. Image credit:Davide Ragusa,Unsplash
GrammarCritical to flow and your credibility Meeting common expectation around language Most common things I see: Image credit:Joao Silas,Unsplash
British vs.American EnglishBra-merican English Comma overuse or underuse (comma use without purpose) Use of which (British overuse relative toAmericans) and thatthey are different Hyphenation of compound non-adjective/non-descriptive phrases Misuse of semicolon and colon General inconsistency in rule application Capitalization of things for emphasis, inconsistently Spelling is another matter altogether but: to, too, its, its, where, were, were, whos, whose, etc.
Livening up the road ahead
A few requests to draw more readers and keep them Please provide minimum two, engaging images (Samahita image library or many online free shots: https://bootstrapbay.com/blog/free-stock-photos/) Please consider your headline carefully, as part of hooking the reader (have someone else brainstorm with you or think of one for you based on their reading of the piece if you are tired at this point) Look in your piece, find the golden sentence and use it as a subhead Subheads will go under the title and for the subhead in the blog main page: (172 characters no spaces/203 with spaces) Lengthno longer than 800 words, and please split it up with Section heads
Support I am here, just let me know a timemy work is subject to your feedback as well. Lets have a conversation.This is not one-way. Image credit:Kyle Szegedi,Unsplash
Making this information yours Ideas and practices to help you hone your public-facing writing skills give your light some elegance. Image courtesy:Kim Greenhalgh,Unsplash
Critique stories Go to a reputable publication Find an article you want to read about Read it Read it again as if you were an editor and wanted to make it better Rewrite it based on what you would do with the information Image credit:Sergey Zolkin,Unsplash
Mine sites for what works Look around who is succeeding at getting this kind of content viral: Mind Body Green, Elephant Journal,Huff Post Health, others? What is it that they are doing? List all of the things you love about their contentthink critically Image courtesy:social media policies,cdc.gov
Step into another writers shoes Pick a favorite writer Read a chapter of their work Read it criticallylooking for what about the writing makes it unique Write a story about your day, a past event, a fantasy that incorporates their techniques Image credit:Wikipedia (Eileen Chang)
The magical rear-view mirror Look back at something you wrote a year ago Do you remember writing these exact words? Would you think, feel or write the same way? What useful insight can you gain with this experience? Image credit: BoriskinVladislav, Unsplash
Morning pages Every morning, spend a set amount of time writing No editing No critiquing No stopping Just write whatever you want and dont stop until the time is up Image credit:Mine,Instagram
Enjoy!

More Related Content

Empowering Writing Workshop Samahita Retreat, April 2016

  • 1. Finding the joy in writing and the courage to share it, widely A presentation that evaluates mainstream thinking and reactions around writing rules in order to make them your own Photo credit: Metatron Mandala by Soulscapes
  • 2. Skill A provocative edit of a talk byAllanWatts, entitled Stop Competing withYourself
  • 3. Your participation is key Empowering Sharing Rethinking the way you write to enjoy the process Adding more purpose to your pieces (doing more things on purpose) Photo credit:Unsplash/Nasa
  • 4. Everyone thinks they are a writer because everyone IS a writer. Only difference between me and you is how long Ive been doing it, with focus and determination Talent or skillboth depend on time and practice Tools, e.g., morning pages Image credit:Carli Jean,Unsplash
  • 5. Who is your audience? Are they like you? Really?Are you sure? Start out writing to yourself but keep the sense of your audiencebusy, inundated with information, seeking guidance but Try, as a writer, not to underestimate someones intelligence or overestimate their knowledge Image credit:Anna Dziubinska,Unsplash Image credit:Anna Dziubinska,Unsplash
  • 6. Identify and tame your critic You need your critic, like you need your mind You also need to know that it is constructive in the right place, at the right time, and possibly destructive otherwise It is a participating member of the meeting within your mind, not the dominant member
  • 7. Budget your time You want to finish You have a deadline Build a timeline that allows for time away and returning to the piece as a new you Embrace the process Editorial processsomeone you trust your baby with (or not) Read out loud, finishing touches This all depends on experience and context Image courtesy:my instagram
  • 8. The writing relationship process Romance/resonance Conception Incubation/growth Birth Taking your baby out in public Grace Image credit:Casey Allen,Unsplash
  • 9. Romance/Resonance Essential Short-lived Passionate (how do we keep this alive?) Critic is at the table, but is doodling in their notebook at this stage Photo credit:Christopher Sardegna,Unsplash
  • 10. Concept(ion) Concept Formulation Gatheringinterviewing, brainstorming, researching Essentials decided now, a lot left to decide but it builds on this Critic is still scribbling but kind of paying attention to make sure its all feasible Innovator informs critic, critic advises Image courtesy: Skeeze, Pixabay
  • 11. Research Wikipediafantastic start You want confidence not just information At least three reliable sources Stop when themes repeat and you feel confident Image credit:Joao Silas,Unsplash
  • 12. Growth Surrender what you thought so you can integrate the new information Allow the idea to reveal itself Take timesome days where you revisit the ideas, in you mind Transcribe the interview Notice how your idea lives Brainstorm the story with friendsdisguise it as a conversation topic Be open Image courtesy:BlueTreeWith Blossom Bud Dimopoulos,Wikimedia commons
  • 13. The fun-messy bit Put on some music, give yourself an hour Relax, breath Just startclaim the white space Tune infree-form writing Critic leaves the room along with its grammatical assistants,fact checkers and media analysts Trust, let it flow, let it grow Passion leads in this phase Step back, take a break Image credit:Jason Rosewell,Unsplash
  • 14. Organizing matter so it matters Sit back down and look at this amorphous, potent information Aha, now how will I turn this into a structured story? With a head A neck A heart Hands that reach out, guide a reader Feet that kick up the dust of the ordinary A soul that lives and haunts them to talk about it with their friends The real pushing begins, the story is being born Image courtesy:Angelina Litvin,Unsplash
  • 15. Managing the emotions of those first tender moments Your baby is born You are tired You feel many things Mostly protective Take a break Budget at least a day away [You change in time, a lotreread something you wrote 2 years ago, do you recognize it?] Image credit:Varshesh Joshi,Unsplash
  • 16. Approaching the editorial process Yes, you can achieve the word limit, the critic is great to bring back to the table hereand to lead this part of the process No matter the level, two pairs of eyes are better than one Clean it upsave the scraps somewhere Skilled editor: Luxury of time? Conversation is best, then tracked changes and exchange, then just sending it off. Depends on context.
  • 17. Saying:There are no good writers, just good editors. Is it true?!? Somebody did all the hard work Somebody had the intentions Somebodys passion is on the line Work togethercombine brains, max this chance OUT Make it about the information, the impact, the effect, not the ego Image credit:Lukas Budimaier,Unsplash
  • 18. Dressing up Enhance vs. distract Think: using every bit of space wisely Imagesabstract OR precise, active, inclusive Subheads (multipurpose, breakup/air out content and act as transitions) Concision and cadence (getting to the point, sentence lengths, repetition) Image courtesy:Pixabay,Girl,With,Pink,Dress
  • 19. The stuff editors look for Socializing your child Image credit:Abigail Keenan,UnsplashImage credit:emaze.com
  • 20. Excessive length Context is everything A book is a book, a feature is a feature, a blog is a blog 5-800 words, please Reader has expectations Meet them halfway Or give them a nap and a pass to the next website (Its hard to cut sentencessave your scraps in a separate document so you feel less fear!) Photo credit:JordanWhitt,Unsplash
  • 21. Repetition of words and ideas Same word twice in same sentence is a wasted opportunity to enliven the point Putting people in a trance vs. actively engaging them Look closely at your writing because this is subtle. Do you really need to say it two, three different ways? If so, good you decided. If not, cut one of them. Consider this: Is it more important that people read my piece all the way through or that I tell them in three ways that,say,hot dogs are processed and thus not healthy? Image credit:Ng,Unsplash
  • 22. No little (cookie) breaks?? Even if the topic is serious, breaking it up helps a reader to digest it easily instead of feeling like they are cramming for an examthats really the way of the web and the modern attention span now, actually. Image credit:Padurariu Alexandru,Unsplash
  • 23. Burying the point Real-life, worldwide, readers have optionsits a competitive, overkill market Readers like to be considered Readers want to know that the writer understands that they are busy, that their time is valuable Show them by getting to the point and then elaborating Let the rest of the story back the point uptell the reader what on Earth is going on,ASAP Image credit:Auggie GomezVergera, augie.com.au
  • 24. Tempo/sentence length variability This is a pretty big deal Snip apart compound sentences Simple, compound, compound, simple, simple Read out loudfeel the rhythm of the messages and how it helps energize the information Image credit:Jamille Queiroz,Unsplash
  • 25. Active vs. passive voice Research: passive (put the authors voice and interpretation behind the data) Mainstream media:ACTIVE Ever read a story that gets into your bones? Motivates you to take action? You are telling a storynouns, action verbs, right up front doing something Our audience is only partially a research and/or academic audiencethey are a lay audience: a group of very busy and information bombarded people we wish to inform about something we have the luxury of having experience with Image credit:Adam Horton,Unsplash
  • 26. (Un)supported claims Its highly effective according to who? (Even in my own experience is fine) Research shows (what research?) Superlativesthe best,the biggest,the most respected What? Really?Who said?? We are on the web so we can link out, use video, draw on resources and inspire confidence
  • 27. Flow and transition Distinct yet related ideas in paragraphs Look at their levels of relationship Look carefully at their order, how they build on one another, how they relate (editing phase) Like music (parts and wholeeffect) Transitionssentences, words, ways to keep the information humming along End provides a sense of closure, a moral, a lift, a frame, or recaps beginning Image credit:Andrew Bertram,Unsplash
  • 28. Consistency with rules Know the rules and break them, but break them consistently Shows care, pre-meditation/deliberation Inspires trust in the quality of the pub and the knowledge of the writer Subtle yet important Image courtesy:Lagos04,Unsplash
  • 29. Levels of excitement Italics Bold Underlined Exclamation points!! ALL CAPS Very Feelingsbut they are yours! Give your audience room to find theirs. Image credit:Davide Ragusa,Unsplash
  • 30. GrammarCritical to flow and your credibility Meeting common expectation around language Most common things I see: Image credit:Joao Silas,Unsplash
  • 31. British vs.American EnglishBra-merican English Comma overuse or underuse (comma use without purpose) Use of which (British overuse relative toAmericans) and thatthey are different Hyphenation of compound non-adjective/non-descriptive phrases Misuse of semicolon and colon General inconsistency in rule application Capitalization of things for emphasis, inconsistently Spelling is another matter altogether but: to, too, its, its, where, were, were, whos, whose, etc.
  • 32. Livening up the road ahead
  • 33. A few requests to draw more readers and keep them Please provide minimum two, engaging images (Samahita image library or many online free shots: https://bootstrapbay.com/blog/free-stock-photos/) Please consider your headline carefully, as part of hooking the reader (have someone else brainstorm with you or think of one for you based on their reading of the piece if you are tired at this point) Look in your piece, find the golden sentence and use it as a subhead Subheads will go under the title and for the subhead in the blog main page: (172 characters no spaces/203 with spaces) Lengthno longer than 800 words, and please split it up with Section heads
  • 34. Support I am here, just let me know a timemy work is subject to your feedback as well. Lets have a conversation.This is not one-way. Image credit:Kyle Szegedi,Unsplash
  • 35. Making this information yours Ideas and practices to help you hone your public-facing writing skills give your light some elegance. Image courtesy:Kim Greenhalgh,Unsplash
  • 36. Critique stories Go to a reputable publication Find an article you want to read about Read it Read it again as if you were an editor and wanted to make it better Rewrite it based on what you would do with the information Image credit:Sergey Zolkin,Unsplash
  • 37. Mine sites for what works Look around who is succeeding at getting this kind of content viral: Mind Body Green, Elephant Journal,Huff Post Health, others? What is it that they are doing? List all of the things you love about their contentthink critically Image courtesy:social media policies,cdc.gov
  • 38. Step into another writers shoes Pick a favorite writer Read a chapter of their work Read it criticallylooking for what about the writing makes it unique Write a story about your day, a past event, a fantasy that incorporates their techniques Image credit:Wikipedia (Eileen Chang)
  • 39. The magical rear-view mirror Look back at something you wrote a year ago Do you remember writing these exact words? Would you think, feel or write the same way? What useful insight can you gain with this experience? Image credit: BoriskinVladislav, Unsplash
  • 40. Morning pages Every morning, spend a set amount of time writing No editing No critiquing No stopping Just write whatever you want and dont stop until the time is up Image credit:Mine,Instagram