Days are getting shorter, the weather is cooler (allegedly) and people are getting back into set schedules. Back-to-school is a season in itself, but kids aren’t the only ones who can benefit.
Learning doesn’t stop in the classroom, so here are our top 3 back-to-school tips with a writing twist.
1. Be organized
Remember getting all those great back-to-school supplies – the new notebook, new pens and pencils and that fabulous box of crayons sharpened perfectly in their box?
Environment has more to do with writing than you think, so declutter your work area. Organize your files on your computer. Try to get that red bubble of unread emails down into the hundreds instead of thousands.
Nothing makes you feel revitalized and focused like a good cleaning.
2. Be yourself
Starting school was always nerve-wracking, especially with new classes, new teachers and new kids. Making friends and relationships was hard. But once you were relaxed and comfortable, things started to go smoothly.
It’s the same with writing. Relax and be yourself; don’t try to write like someone else. Let your natural voice come through and you’ll make more of an impact.
3. Be concise
You remember listening to every kid in the class talk about their summer vacation. Usually it was required, but that didn’t make it any less daunting and tiresome. Plus, holding back a yawn is hard work!
Similarly, in writing it’s important to cut to the chase. Clients want to hear the most exciting part of what you can do for them without adding on the side trips of unnecessary details and wordy phrases they really don’t want/need.
Back-to-school and fall are both great seasons. Take advantage of the changes. Enjoy the spectacular sights and smells, and let them invigorate a new sense of motivation and inspiration in your writing.
Just don’t get me started on pumpkin spice lattes.
Don’t be sad. We’ll be back on the first Monday next month with a new blog post. If you can’t wait that long—whether because you have a topic you’d love us to cover, a question or you simply want to throw your two cents into the pot—we love talkin’ shop, so drop us a line.
