1. Read different genres of writing as well as styles

Whenever I want to get a handle on pacing, I read a comic book. Besides testifying my dorkiness, comics (or, better – illustrated novels) are terrific at pacing. Even though such books have the luxury of illustrated panels, the pacing all comes from the dialogue.

The best dialogue comes from comics (the good ones, that is).

If I’m in the mood to understand murky politics and economics – I read whatever Ariana Huffington is writing about.  This is whether or not I was interested in the subject in question. The woman has a gift for parsing apart the densest concepts.

Her language may be simple, but the phrasing is utter poetry. *Swoon*

Understand that different writing styles and genres appeal to various appetites. Therefore, your writing is not going to satisfy everyone’s tastes.

2. Know your boundaries (and why you have them) – then push it

Boundaries in writing are limits that we place upon ourselves. There’s not much point in saying, “I won’t write about this (ever)” and not giving a reason. Of course, not everything in life is an open book for some writers. Nevertheless, question those boundaries.

What are you actually trying to avoid? Exposure is interesting in writing. Sometimes we over analyze and (overly value) our vulnerabilities. Vulnerability can only be overcome with honesty. Once you can be honest with yourself, you shed your weaknesses as a writer.

You’re stronger than you think. Reflect upon this.

3. Play with length

Being short and sweet is a mental lollipop for some readers. Word counts aren’t strictly necessary. You can gauge what is short versus long for yourself.

When you force yourself to be short, you reconstruct the whole meaning behind your story (or blog post). It becomes epic instead of instructional.

Incorporating stories, interesting minutia and precisely worded detail creates good tension and lets readers wander with you for an enjoyably long ride.

4. Don’t worry so much about style, concentrate on flavor

Think of a style as blue dress. Flavor is Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress versus a Target summer frock. The flavor comes from your words. It derives from the rhythm of your sentences and bunch of other grammarian wrangling. Nonetheless, you don’t need a poet’s tongue to detect good flavor.

How thick are your descriptions? How rich is your imagery? Are you being Pooh-bear simple? Or, classic-lit difficult? Both can be appealing if you pepper your language just right.

5. Writing is 2 parts perspective, 1 part art (and liberal helpings of practice)

I’m one of these eternal optimists that thinks anyone can produce good writing if they check their perspective. While the artistry part of writing is important – it’s unforgivably subjective. There are lots of painters – some great, some horrible and lots in between. Yet, whenever people talk about great art (or anything) perspective is never overlooked.

Perspective is seen only through your eyes and heard through your ears. No one else has it but you. So, be lucky and thankful – and practice.

Whether it’s subtle or blatant, the artistry of good writing comes from thoughtful, strong and graceful perspective. That’s what good, interesting and rich writing is about.

6. Learn to like writer’s block (or at least accept it for what it is)

I was reading a scene in a book about a writer who could conjure up any story he wanted into reality. He summoned all the genres of universe (Western, Fantasy, Noir, etc.) to help him craft a story that would end the world. Fortunately, he came to a blank. Despite all the help available to him, he couldn’t come up with a single acceptable plot line for the Apocalypse.

After much anguish, he realized his twin brother Writer’s Block was in the room the entire time.

Once you recognize the darkened paths to inspiration – there’s not much you can do about it. Inspiration and creativity are not meant to be drilled like beams in your brain. So, relax and take your lack of inspiration for what it is – a block (but not an insurmountable one).

7. Your audience is a guide – not a litmus test

From what I’ve learned, some writers go “rogue” and assume that if they’re writing on a certain subject – their audience becomes 1-dimensional. And, while it’s true if you have a marketing blog, your readers might be marketers (but they may also be secretaries, entreprenuers or college grads). Your audience is a guide for what content you produce, but you shouldn’t allow them to solely determine the either/or aspect of what  gets written.

Sometimes, when you are beginning to write – your audience is a complete mystery. To this day, I’m not sure who are the  people who read my blog (save for a few).

Nonetheless, I get a sense they are like me. They’re interested in what I have to say – and that makes them even more inspiring to write for (and to).

They may also be a little neurotic. How else can I explain why they keep coming back?

8. Don’t treat your writing like trash, but don’t get too attached either

I’ll tell you something that you may think is terrifically awful: of all the things I’ve written – I have no absolute favorite pieces of writing. This doesn’t mean I don’t have some pieces of writing I like more than others. Yet, I believe my best writing will be tomorrow – not yesterday (or even today).

In short, my writing (and your’s) is not something to feel tightly wound around. Words are words. They serve to express – not rigidly define.

Your writing  is always building and improving upon itself. If you can accept that, you will have much more fun (and get more writing done).

9. At the end of the day, it’s your writing – so don’t get too hung up in process

This probably negates everything else I just said, but it’s true. Don’t get too hung up on how the writing gets done – just get it out. And, when you are exhausted – stop.