Many people can write but lack the skills required to make a good presentation, capable of conveying the right message as well as capturing the audience in order to engender the needed influence. The writing ability of many is synonymous with a tree in the forest; which must be worked upon to have the desired products: tables, chairs, beds, etc. In order for your writing to witness the day light of striking the right chord on the intended target, it must be developed consciously. Here are some five ways to doing so.
1. Recognize the importance of writing
This includes ability to pass a message, change habit and store information, as the maxim goes: the shortest pen is better than the biggest memory. It lays credence to the fact that writing is a major medium of information storage. In addition, writing is also a field of human endeavour which helps many to earn a living. Writing also sharpens one’s intellect. Anything jotted down gets registered in the brain almost immediately.
2. Read wildly and widely
There is a maxim which goes thus: “a candle that must light other candles must burn its own flames.” Late Sam Ndah Isaiah; the former CEO of Leadership Newspaper said, reading newspaper purchased by his father at a tender age was one thing that boosted his writing skills all the way to obtaining better grades in the University.
Reading widely entails reading anything in tandem to one’s beliefs, principles and field of endeavour. As such, it confirms the adage: “to a hungry soul every bitter substance is sweet.”
Wild reading on the other hand entails deep reading in some specific fields of human endeavour. Some years ago, someone asked me of tips to write a book. “By voracious reading” I quipped. It works much like elementary health tips that says, the more we eat the higher the pressure on our bowels; to visit the rest room. When we read enough, writing becomes natural.
3. Keep an open mind
Regardless of the beliefs, philosophies and orientations, we must steer away from prejudices stereotypes and blind judgments. This way we would learn from every situation. Someone once said there is something to learn from even a fool; how not to be a fool. Such a mindset helps one sieve whatever information at one’s disposal and adapt those relevant for growth. Remember that you cannot stop birds from flying over your head but you can stop them from nesting on your shoulders. This means you must not necessarily use all information at your disposal. The choice is solely yours!
4. Be creative in your thinking
We are all wired with creativity as human beings. Think about the best way to convey your message. Do you need to use a story, a quotation, an adage, idiomatic expression, or even a diagram/image? Creativity is the soul of an artist. Think about being served a plate of rice cooked with only palm oil, and another garnished with all sorts of spices. Which one would you prefer? Of course the answer is no-brainer
5. Avoid the perfectionist syndrome
This is living with the illusion that your write-up or book must be the best or free from every form of error. It is a good desire but only a few ever near such status, for it is the exclusive preserve for professional writers. The other side to the perfectionist syndrome is to assume that everything else must be in perfect shape before you start writing. Perfectionists do not write a single book throughout their life time. They change one sentence a dozen times in order to arrive at a perfect one, and never get to write even a paragraph at the end of the day. You must bear in mind that writing is like driving through a fog; you must keep pushing until the inhibitions give way. Be ready to make mistakes but do not let your mistakes make you; don’t allow them build a tombstone over your destiny. Be original and write as you are inspired rather than imitating some professionals. You can learn from them but always try to maintain your originality.
