The Recipe: Part One gave you a quick rundown on how to attract readers to stay on your page. I shared a few tips on how to minimize distractions before you start writing for interactive media. The simplest way to summarize it is KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid. We’re not as intelligent as we’d like to think. You don’t want to scare away your audience before they’re able to tune in to what you have to say.
A captivating title and image will grab their attention, but your writing will eventually determine if they scroll down or not. “The most important sentence in any article is the first one. If it doesn’t induce the reader to proceed to the second sentence your article is dead. And if the second sentence doesn’t induce him to continue to the third sentence, it’s equally dead.” (Zinsser, 2016, p.54) You have to make each line count as if it was your last.
It’s like meeting your celebrity crush for the first time in person. They finally notice you. What do you say now!? You can start with a cheesy pickup line, but let’s hope they’re not lactose intolerant. Although, some people may appreciate your clever wit. It might be different from what they’re accustomed to; for better or worse.
I believe your writing style should reflect who you are as an individual. “You are writing primarily to please yourself, and if you go about it with enjoyment you will also entertain the readers who are worth writing for.” (Zinsser, 2016, p.24)
Overall, I agree that you should be writing for yourself. It makes the process more enjoyable. I’m not the best writer, but I always find the end result to be very fulfilling. I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the craft in recent years. It’s given me the ability to express myself in a different context. I always try to incorporate my sarcastic dry humor into my writing to give the topic more personality.
I’m aware that my writing won’t be well-received by everyone and that’s OK. My goal is to provide the audience with a genuine reading experience. Every reader is a different person. Your writing should distinguish you from other writers as well.
William Zinsser. On Writing Well. New York, Harper, 2016.
KREATIVV INC 