The next four weeks are really going to be about producing a harvest. That means we’re going to focus on a particular project that maybe you’ve been putting off, or started and stopped. Being a writer In Bloom is all about being a finisher. And we all know that sometimes that can be a struggle. So the purpose after these four weeks is to have some type of finished product by the end.
You can catch up from last week, HERE.
Consistency
There is no way around the need to be consistent. It’s a daunting word as a creative because we want to be inspired and we want to feel motivated to create. It’s not that inspiration is not important, there’s just a need to be inspired more often, by more things.
Listen, deadlines are very real whether self-imposed, for a book or publication. You will have to write on demand at times. It’s not about forcing it, of course, because we know that only produces mediocre results, but it’s about being highly developed in your craft.
Look, when Beyonce has a show, she can’t just say I wasn’t inspired today, I’m not doing it. Consistency is the watering. Working at it. Pouring out. Writing all the time. It’s such a huge part of what that seed needs to grow.
A huge component to my consistency has been batching. This is a process that aids in my confidence in what I am producing. Giving yourself the time to produce lots of written content at once helps with your ability to take your time. Ensure that what you’re saying is worthwhile instead of rushed just to make a content schedule.
We have the topic, we have the outline, let’s spend some time actually writing. Fill out the ideas into full concepts with Twitter clearly being the easiest. Yet difficult at the same time because there is a need to be really concise.
This next week, I would like you to spend either 30 minutes each day creating a component of your content or set aside 2.5 hours in one day to batch the material for your finished product.
A huge part of the pitching process is about telling an editor or an agent why you are the person who should complete the work. Regardless of whether you are actually pitching others or simply developing your own online space, you need to know why this is your story to tell.
CHEAT CODE: There is something special and unique that every single one of us brings to the table.
We try to tell ourselves that it’s all been said before and there’s nothing new under the sun, which could be true. But you have a unique set of experiences that make up your particular perspective. It cannot be duplicated.
Based on the recurring themes in your work, what makes you uniquely qualified to tell your story?
What is special about your voice?
Editing
There is no such thing as great writing without editing. You need to be editing your writing. There are of course varying extents of this and it depends on what type of writing you’re doing. A book is clearly a lot more of an extensive editing process than say a blog post. But editing should be happening either way.
At the least, you should be reading your work out loud. I can’t tell you how many mistakes you can catch when you actually read the work out loud. You may be cringing at this, but it’s your work. You’re the first audience for your work. And you do a disservice to your reader when you are not ensuring that you are putting forward your best.
Editing isn’t just about grammar and misspelled words either. That’s a huge part of it for sure. There is nothing that burns me more than finding silly mistakes after hitting publish. But there are other parts of the process. Spell check doesn’t always catch context. One thing I noticed in my writing journey is that although certain words may seem appropriate they can be best used in a certain context. Even if you still decide to use the word, at least know the rule before you break it.
Another part of the process is literally moving things around. How does this piece flow? Would a certain paragraph make sense as the conclusion? Are you burying the lead? Don’t be afraid to get in there and rearrange your piece.
Lastly, I would recommend going back through and ensuring that your piece is as concise as possible. Lately, I have noticed completely unnecessary words in writing like “really” and “just.” Often these words are simply filler and more than likely can be eliminated.
Writing/Job Opportunities
Social Soundtrack is accepting submissions.
Tanisha Pina is looking for beauty/wellness/health pitches for Nylon Mag, especially ones that intersect with entertainment and/or social media. tanisha@nylon.com.
Medium is hiring an Assistant Audience Editor
Rolling Stone is looking for a Senior Editor. (Caveat: Please, to Black women and women of color especially, stop telling yourself no before someone else can. Apply even if you’re not sure you meet every single criterion.)
Refinery29 is hiring a Senior Content Strategy Editor.
The Daily Beast is hiring a Senior Editor, World.
Hearst is hiring two Web Producers.
Managing Editor position at MPR News.
Norton is hiring Remote Publishing Interns.
Slate is hiring a Senior Editor and Staff Writer.
To Be Read
Industry Reads
How to Write Better First Drafts of Your Stories
How The Publisher of Simon & Schuster Gets It Done
Karen Strong Speaks on Owning Your Voice as a Black Writer
Just Good Writing
The Buffer Zone: Looking beyond the nonprofit industrial complex
Find this newsletter useful and of value? You can support our community HERE.