How to Write: Engaging the Reader

How to Write:
Engaging the Reader

Photo Source: Writing by Elisa Xyz

One of the first rules of writing is to engage the reader right away. 
Soooo. ...

Um, I know this is sudden; and that you just started reading. 

But will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? 

That is, of course, if you’re a supermodel heiress to a chocolate fortune with a heart of gold, a great sense of humor, and a lovely smile. 

After you engage the reader? 

I don’t know. I never seem to get past the engaging part. 

But hopefully the writer and the reader live happily ever after.

Blessings & Joy,

Dean

Jerry Seinfeld on How to Write a Joke

Published on Dec 20, 2012 by

TheNewYorkTimes

The comedian describes the anatomy of his Pop-Tart joke, 

still a work in progress, and shows his longhand writing process

Click Here for Info on How to Write Killer Stand-Up Comedy!

Coming Friday:
Why Waldo Is So Hard To Find

Writing Advice (Part 2)

Writing Advice (Part 2)*

Writing for five minutes non-stop works better for non-fiction. You pick a topic, break it down into 10-15 chapter ideas; and then break those down into 2-3 subtopics. Research as needed; and then write non-stop for five minutes or so on each subtopic. Then go back to tweak the subtopics and unite them into chapters; and then join the chapters together to create a nonfiction book with seamless chapter transitions and an overriding flow. **

For fiction, think of the hook, the premise, and whatever else pops into your head. Consider the “Trailer Moments”: The iconic moments that stand out and would thus appear in the trailer for the movie if your story, novel, or especially your screenplay, becomes a movie. Knowing you have Trailer Moments helps you focus on what’s important. 


Figure out a basic structure to the story. Outline as needed. And then write. Write like the wind! When you really get into the writing; and everything’s flowing, you’ll find yourself writing for a lot longer than five minutes. I’ve had entire days slip by while I wrote. Woke up while it was still dark outside; and then wrote until after sunset. With minimal eating or other breaks. That’s when it’s fun. When you write and lose track of time. 


The other fun time is after you’ve finished the first draft. The write non-stop, don’t edit yourself, first draft. And then you go back to edit. But you think of something super dee duper that’s organic to the story, fits perfectly, and improves everything. Improvements that fit are fun!*** Especially funny improvements that fit; especially if you’re writing a comedy. 


Keep writing. Best to you with all your creative endeavors. 

Blessings & Joy,

Dean Burkey

* See Writing Advice for Part 1.


** Nick Daws: “Write Any Book In Under 28 Days”. 2004. An informative. engaging CD course that advocates writing in spurts of five non-stop minutes.

*** See “I Love the Tweaking Stage!”.