We asked M. Shannon Hernandez – content Strategist, copywriter, speaker and trainer, and author – for a bad habit wannabe writers need to ditch, and she offered not one, but four.
Don’t worry about making your writing perfect on the first, second and even third rounds. Stop editing while writing. Don’t sabotage yourself by telling yourself your writing isn’t good enough.
“And ditch the habit of making excuses as to why you aren’t writing,” she says.
The author of the memoir Breaking the Silence: My Final Forty Days as a Public School Teacher and founder of The Writing Whisperer recently checked in with us to offer her advice on writing consistently and effectively.
Tell us about The Writing Whisperer…when and why did you start your site?
I have written an entire memoir on this topic. The name of the book is Breaking the Silence: My Final Forty Days as a Public School Teacher. But I will try and condense the story here.
After 15 years as a tenured public school teacher, I just wasn’t happy anymore. So I decided it was time for a personal and professional reinvention. I sat down one day and thought about what I could offer, in the way of expertise and business services, so that I could transition out of education and into the world of entrepreneurship.
I decided to offer copywriting services to business owners, in order to help them tell their unique brand story through digital storytelling. Over the last one and a half years, my brand has evolved and shifted a little…but the heart of The Writing Whisperer is all about using words and content to build solid brands through consistent content marketing.
What’s your writing background?
I have been writing since I could hold a crayon! I have filled countless journals and notepads, I write regularly for my blog as well as guest post on several others, and I am happy to now call myself a published memoir author!
I also have been teaching writing for years to individuals of all ages. I began teaching elementary and middle school several years ago, and I did that for 15 years, then I moved into teaching at the college level. I also teach business owners how to write branded content to propel their businesses forward, as well as teach memoir writers how to get the story from their heads onto the paper.
What are the smart habits should effective writers develop?
The biggest habit that has to happen, in order for a writer to develop his or her craft, is that he or she must write. Seems simple, right? Well, getting into the habit of daily writing is very hard for most. My suggestion is that writers schedule time to write every single day. It is the only way the writing will get done and the habit will be internalized.
Writers seem to be inborn procrastinators…how can we tackle this shortcoming?
I can’t really speak to this too well, because procrastination drives me bananas! If I could answer this though, pulling from the work I do with my clients, I would have to say that procrastination usually means something “else” is holding the person up. For example, maybe the individual hasn’t had enough time to think about the idea and let it marinate. Maybe the writer isn’t scheduling enough time in his or her calendar for all the pieces of the writing process – brainstorming, drafting, editing, rewriting, etc.
And don’t think I’m pulling a funny here, but to be honest…writing requires lots of mental stamina, and that requires that you are well-hydrated and eating foods which make you feel alive and alert. Your diet matters as a writer!
How can writers create more engaging content – whether it’s articles, blog posts or web content? What are the hallmarks of great writing?
The trick to creating engaging content is to listen to your audience. Listen to their needs and concerns. Listen to their struggles. And if you “can’t” listen, namely because they aren’t talking with you (in comments, tweets, etc.), it’s time to change things up a bit! Ask questions in surveys to your email list, or set up a Facebook poll and find out what your audience wants to know more about.
Great writing is clear and easy to follow. It inspires people…to either smile, think more deeply, take action, comment and/or share.
What are your biggest writing pet peeves?
I don’t like it when people say “just write – it’s easy.” Writing is not easy. Breaking it down into manageable steps makes it easier. Having a writing coach to help you when you get stuck is necessary and super helpful.
As far as other pet peeves, I don’t have them. My goal is to help writers become better communicators for their brands and memoirs.
What tips can you offer on building an audience for your writing? How do you get people to read what you’ve created?
The number one tip I offer is to be yourself. If you try to be someone you are not, your audience will see it immediately. Share some personal stuff once in a while – people connect with people. Be human! If you have a distinct personality and voice in your writing, people will keep coming back for more, because you will build a relationship with them from the other side of the computer.
What do you think all freelance content writers do to prepare themselves for writing for a new client?
Well, I won’t speak for all freelance content writers, but I can speak about my own process. The only way I can get to know a client, and be able to write for that client and in that client’s voice, is to spend time with the client. That usually means a phone call or two and asking the client to also send me some writing in which to immerse myself.
I also listen very closely to what my client wants to achieve when we work together, so that I can be the best mentor and coach possible. It’s important that I understand my clients’ goals and work side-by-side with each individual so that he or she is successful.
Where do you go and/or what do you read when you need inspiration for your own writing?
When I need inspiration for writing, I either take a break or go for a long run. Running allows my subconscious to do the work it needs to do so that I can come up with my next article or my next chapter.
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