7 ways to spice up your writing

Written by: Joanna Young
April 1, 2008

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alesun1/The relationship you have with your writing is just like any other relationship.

Sometimes you need a bit of TLC to freshen things up, keep things sweet or bring the flames of passion back to life.

Here are 7 things you can do to spice up the relationship with your words:

1. Try something new: experiment a bit, try out a different style, some new content, different outlets, a completely new genre. Even small changes can make a difference – try varying the usual length of your sentences and see what happens…

2. Add some heart: sometimes we feel like we’re just writing the same old same old, repeating and recycling other people’s words – or our own. Imagine dipping deep into your heart when you’re starting to write. What words would you bring out?

3. Use all your senses: get stuck into the detail of your experience and write it with all your senses. It’ll get you away from what you think to what you really feel: the taste of an experience, the shivers it sends down the skin on your arm, the music it plays in your heart

4. Take a risk: what is it that you’ve always wanted to write, but haven’t found the words, the courage or the heart to write – until now?

5. Indulge yourself: if you’re tired of writing to please others take some time to write just for you. Get a new journal. Start a private blog. Let your words drip with self-indulgence. Write just whatever you want.

6. Pay attention to the little things: focus on the detail of the place, the person, the emotion you’re writing and you’ll bring it back to life, for you and your reader. Look deep into the heart of the flower picture here – what do you see, imagine, feel? Tell me about the tiniest point of details, that smudge of yellow pollen, the memory of its stain on your finger tips. Write yourself into the detail and lose yourself in the heart of the experience.

7. Remember why it matters: forget your words, your craft, your style. Focus on what you’re writing, why you’re writing, who you’re writing for. Let yourself fall into the emotion you’re trying to evoke, in your reader or in your self: belief, hope, courage, laughter, love. Let the feeling run through your veins. Revel in it. And then, and only then, pick up your pen and write.

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alesun1/

Joanna Young - Coaching you to write with confidence | http://www.thecalmspace.com/about#joanna

Comments

6 Responses to “7 ways to spice up your writing”

  1. leahNo Gravatar on April 1st, 2008 11:17 am

    This is a great post Joanna and reminds me of many of the things that I don’t do as I madly bash out another post for the blog - so full of energy, good ideas and short on time. Sometimes I know that I could do better by injecting some spice - sometimes a little cajun sometimes and nice subtle dill.

  2. angelaNo Gravatar on April 1st, 2008 12:28 pm

    I’m with Leah - this is a great post. And I need to take note of it next time I write. Thank you for sharing your passion.

  3. karenNo Gravatar on April 1st, 2008 3:04 pm

    Joanna, you have a way of talking directly to me with your writing. These are all terrific points you make - and every one of them vital for writing with passion.

    I have started doing some private writing lately, and have found it so freeing to be able to write without wondering how it will be received! I think that is definitely adding a touch of chilli!

    The one thing from your 7 ways I want to concentrate on now is Take A Risk. Those words jumped from the page at me. Not sure how or why, but I’m writing those words on a sticky note and sticking it above my laptop.

    Bravo and thank you so much for sharing your passion for writing with us.

  4. Joanna YoungNo Gravatar on April 2nd, 2008 8:16 pm

    Thank you all for the great feedback.

    Do you know the film (and book) Chocolat? The heroine runs a chocolate shop and she has the knack of selecting just the right chocolate for the people in the town. But they’re chocolates with a difference because she mixes them herself with unusual, mysterious and ancient ingredients. She adds in not just flavours but what’s needed to add some spice, some heart, some courage, some calm, some love.

    That’s how I think about writing (sometimes!) That we all know (secretly) what it is that’s missing - we just need to stop and ask ourselves what it is. Hmmm, a little bit of cajun, or some dill (I’m curious about that one! what would it mean to you in your words?), a touch of chilli, yes please!

    Karen, I’m delighted you feel I’m talking directly to you. That is one of the most important things I want to achieve with my writing, that sense of connection. And as I said to you recently something ‘clicked’ for me recently in my last few posts for the Calm Space and I feel I have found a different voice, or connected to a part of my writing voice (and passion) I didn’t quite know I had by writing with you here, and sharing this amazing space with you all.

    Thank you for your encouragement and support as editor, and for bringing out the best in us.

    Joanna

  5. MarjorieNo Gravatar on April 2nd, 2008 9:10 pm

    You have given me a new perspective Joanna - i love my chilli - in my food. Now i’m going to apply that to writing, hhhmmmm…interesting…maybe that IS whats missing :)

  6. Joanna YoungNo Gravatar on April 3rd, 2008 8:35 pm

    Sounds fun Marjorie, I look forward to seeing where the extra chilli takes you!

    Joanna

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