On this evolving writing blog.

One cool thing about the writing challenge I launched is that I’ve learned an incredible amount in a very short about of time. Kristen King from Inkthinker wrote me a very long and helpful post that, in conjunction with everything else, has helped me grow. Here is my response:

I like your comparison to Legally Blond: it’s a great metaphor. I have always wanted to write well, and I did wake up one day and arbitrarily decide that “yes, today I am actually going to do this.” I probably should have put a bit more thought into how everything might seem before I initiated it, but I did not, and I do recognize that I did come off sounding like an asshole. I think deep down I did have an altruistic goal of helping people along the way, but it wasn’t obvious. I said “… here I am, creating a blog about writing. Actually, to be more specific, this blog will be writing. Eventually I hope to be proficient enough to help other people learn to write, but for the time being this will be an exercise in improving myself.” I think the idea I had of eventually helping people was overshadowed by my constant reference to myself. I’m not going to lie. I did seem rather narcissistic and egocentric. But where can I go from here?

Incidentally, the reason you’re having a hard time finding a step-by-step guide to writing better is multifaceted.

1. Different genres of writing require different skill sets. I do a lot of oncology editing. I can tell those authors how to write clinical study articles better, but that same information probably isn’t going to help you unless you’re also writing clinical study articles. The principles (clarity, focusing on the audience, writing tight) are all the same, but the execution varies widely.

2. What I like about writing and what you like about writing are probably not the same. I can give you general principles to writing better, but the only step-by-step guide you’re really going to find is “How to Write Like [Person Who Wrote This Book].” Seriously, it’s an individual art. The principles and tips on implementing them can guide you in the right direction, but you’re the one who has to take them and develop your own style.

3. What you see as a step-by-step guide and what I see as a step-by-step guide are probably very different. I have about a dozen “step-by-step guides” to being a better writer, but each of them does something different, and my guess is that even if you’ve found them, you don’t consider them to be what you’re looking for (even though 50,000 other people may). And the reason I have so many is that they’re all step-by-step guides for slightly different techniques and styles. You can’t be all things to all people, dude. It’s never as good as when you specialize. Never. (This is going to come back to bite me, considering that I’m a freelance generalist, but I’ll deal with that sad reality another time.) I hope there never is a single cut-and-dried guide to writing that supersedes all the others. That will be a sad day in my eyes.

I could not agree with you more regarding the three points you highlighted in your post. How can I learn to write if I do not even know what I want to write? Yesterday I spent a considerable amount of time hunting down books on writing and investigating what is in the public sphere. Developing my writing style is going to have to be something I lead myself, and I think I just answered my first question. People cannot be taught style – they have to teach themselves. There is room for guidance along the way, but ultimately it is the writer that has to learn (and teach himself or herself) the writing.

In terms of developing a mutually beneficial arrangement, at this point in my life I probably do not have anything to offer anyone in return for their services other than my sincere appreciation. I am not well known, and if someone had decided to help me solely because they wanted some sort of recognition and fame it would be terrible to disappoint them if everything did not work out. I thought my post was clearly a little tongue in cheek, but I probably should have tried to make it a bit more obvious. Maybe after I travel the world, have a successful “Choose My Adventure” experience, and people are compelled to come to my blog and actively participate in my travels there would be more of a compelling reason for someone to get involved if their motivation was publicity. But is this writing blog going to attract hundreds of thousands of people? Probably not. Putting on my business cap (top hat?), I would have to say from “the helper’s” end this would be a risky investment. Realistically, what are the chances some random guy on the Internet is going to be able to develop to a point where the “the helper’s” time and energy is sufficiently rewarded? I am confident in my potential, but I agree that it is a very hard “sell”.

Colleen Sullivan’s Denial to Acceptance:

1. Denial

I did this with pure altruistic intentions… how dare someone make such harsh accusations.

2.Anger/Resentment

Why is everyone being mean to me? Heeelllllloooo? Haven’t you heard of “Community”?!?!?!?

3. Bargaining

I promise that I am going to become a prolific writer, and your participation will make you look amazing! It will help you, me, and everyone else. Just give me a chance.

4. Depression

Wow. Everyone must think I’m so selfish. They must hate me. I could sit in the library all day and prove them wrong. But why even bother?

5. Acceptance.

Did I honestly expect someone to say “Howdy stranger! Here’s 50 hours of my time!” I hope not. I should have put more thought into this before I jumped in. But all is said and done. I have to move on from here.

Consider this a polite retraction of my original request.

Ironically, launching the Great Writing Challenge was a very educational process in itself. The stark yet honest comments I received clearly established that this is an adventure I am going to have to embark on my own. Blankly soliciting assistance from random people without engaging them first (or putting much thought into it beforehand) was silly. I completely agree that it would be unreasonable to expect someone to hold my hand through the entire process, and upon further reflection, I do not think it would be nearly as effective. You’ve already taught me a lot. Be clear, be honest, and stick with it. Being wishy washy accomplishes nothing, and makes me look like a fool.

Am I going to give up on my goal to become a more talented writer? Absolutely not. I am even more committed to this project than I was when I whimsically challenged the blogosphere to “spoon feed me the answers.” I am smiling right now because I had a tiny epiphany, and I think my challenge worked. I know I am going to become a better writer. I have a considerable amount of work ahead of me, and I am happy to do it. And I sincerely thank everyone – even those who called me selfish and delusional – for their comments. I think it was necessary to come to this realization through this process. I am on the right track now, and excited about it.

Dear Kristen,

I hope to talk to you soon,
Jeremy