jacksonarmstrong.com

I’ve always been interested in the spiritual/psychological side of writing. While I do enjoy a good instructional book on the mechanics of writing, I’ve often longed for a book that explores the non-technical aspects of composition, the unseen side that drives (and halts) the creative process.

Unfortunately, few books have satisfied that desire. That was until I stumbled upon an unusual little book called Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg.

The General Idea

After reading the introduction which lays down the framework for the rest of the book, I knew I had found what I looking for, a non-traditional look at the underlying psychology of writing.

Following the introduction, Goldberg  presents a series of brief personal musings describing her methods for capturing what she calls “first thoughts,” those intriguing and sometimes frightening ideas that pop into our heads before our internal editors step in and say: You can’t say that. People will think your crazy.

Goldberg believes those initial ideas infuse your writing with the genuine, raw emotion needed for creating truly unique literature.

She says: “First thoughts have tremendous energy. It is the way the mind first flashes on something. The internal censor usually squelches them, so we live in the realm of second and third thoughts, thoughts on thought, twice and three times removed from the direct connection of the first flash” (p.9).

Starting with the Basics

Before writing her book, Goldberg spent years teaching writing to all kinds of groups. She is able to step back into the mind of a new writer and start with the basics. She leaves no aspect out. One of my favorite chapters, “Beginner’s Mind, Pen and Paper,” starts with the most fundamental thing in all writing, choosing a pen.

While that kind of advice may seem trivial, it helps to start small.

The tools a writer chooses are as important as the kind of instrument a musician plays or the medium an artist chooses to create with.

Goldberg claims she uses a fountain pen to write because it’s faster and that’s how she likes to write. On the other hand, I like ballpoint pens because they move slow across the page.  My mind functions best at a slow, steady pace.

You might prefer to type your thoughts on a computer. And somebody else might prefer the feel of a manual typewriter.

Your preferred writing tools can effect the quality of your output. So choose what works best for you.

Walk then Run

After reintroducing the very basics of writing craft, Goldberg goes on to reveal a series of essays gleaned from personal experiences and advice from authors like Ernest Hemingway and Jack Kerouac.

Like she says in the introductions, you can read the chapters in order or you can read them out of order. It doesn’t matter. Each section touches on a different issue.

If it’s your first time reading the book, I would suggest reading it in order. You’ll end with a well-rounded understanding of Goldberg’s general philosophy.

Not a Step-by-Step Guidebook

Warning: if you’re looking for a guidebook, look somewhere else. There are few exercises or writing prompts. Goldberg encourages you to trust your own mind and come up with your own exercises and topics.

You have to do more than simply read the book and follow the instructions.

It’s all about finding and understanding your voice through scheduled practice and uninhibited thinking. At times, Goldberg’s a little out there. And her talk about Zen Buddhism may offend some.

But if your looking for something different, something non-traditional, try reading Writing Down the Bones. It’s helped my writing. And it can help yours.

Let’s face it, a headline will either make or break an article.

Whether you’re writing an article for a blog, a newspaper, or a magazine, the headline is the first (and possibly only) thing your audience will read. If you want them to continue reading, the headline should be short, intriguing, and indicative of the content.

The main purpose of a headline is to grab the reader’s attention. You’re making a promise to the reader. Your headline should say: “This is what the article is about.” Don’t make any promises you can’t keep for the sake of cleverness. A funny or exciting headline can certainly grab attention. But once you have the reader’s attention, it’s your responsibility to deliver. If you don’t, and if you don’t do it fast, your reader is bound to move on.

That being said, let’s take a look at a few common types of headlines. These should seem familiar to you.

Four Headline Categories that Work

The following headline categories are time-tested. They work and have worked for a long time. They are not the only types of headlines. But they are the most common. Master these first before experimenting with more creative headlines. Like they say, “crawl before you walk.”

The News Headline

Open any newspaper, and you’ll see this kind of headline in bold lettering splattered all over the page. It’s usually short and informative. Because newspapers have a limited amount of space, articles like the and a are omitted. Only use this kind of headline if your article is presenting information that is news. For example: Baby Learns to Breakdance or Man Found Dead in Bed.

The How-to Headline

This kind of headline can be found anywhere. It’s simple; it’s intriguing; and it makes a concrete promise to the reader. As long as you follow through with that promise, this kind of headline can’t miss. For example: How to Write a Headline or How to Walk on Burning Coals.

The Question Headline

The question headline is very basic. It asks a question. And the article should answer it. This type of headline works because it speaks directly to the reader. For example, for this article, I could have asked: Want to Write Better Headlines? But I didn’t. Instead I used the fourth type of headline.

The Command Headline

Think about what you want your readers to get out of your article. Then state it in the headline leading with a verb. It’s as simple as that. I want my readers to write better headlines and my article shows them how.  The command headline is bold and straightforward. But you better deliver.

Take Your Time

Finally, now that you know how to construct a few basic headlines, try writing headlines for your own articles or articles you find online or in print. Write the headlines using all the categories I’ve outlined, and have fun. Writers often spend a huge amount of time writing headlines. They’re that important. So take your time and get it right. Your readers will thank you.

A writer writes. That’s how he or she improves. But we often overlook other factors that are just as important as maintaining a rigid writing schedule.

For my first post, I’m offering a list of three such factors. Incorporate these basic practices into your daily routine and watch as your work blossoms.

#1 Stay active

As writers, we spend a lot of our day in front of a computer screen or bent over a desk. But did you know regular exercise can help stimulate brain growth? A little moderate exercise everyday keeps the mind clear and focused which can translate into clearer, more focused writing.

#2 Eat right

Like exercise, eating the right foods will improve your brain’s functioning. If your brain is working at full-capacity, it will produce thoughts that are more accurate and relevent to what you’re writing.

Reportedly, foods like wild salmon, blueberries, and nuts enhance your brains ability to focus. But really what’s most important is eating a well-balanced diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, carbohydrates, and a little fat.

#3 Get out

Often, when we start running out of fresh ideas, the reason is boredom. If your at home all day, stuck in your own little world, your thoughts can become stale and cyclical. You need to step outside for awhile. Go to the grocery store, visit a friend, watch a movie at the theater–any of these activities can awaken new, creative ideas and enliven your writing.

Make it a habit

I guarantee these tips will improve your writing but only if you make them a habit. Incorporate them into your day-to-day operations and see for yourself.

If you have any tips of your own, please feel free to share them below. Thank you and keep on writing!