Writing

Writing tips and tricks plus examples

Even bad writing can be enjoyable when the author speaks like they would to a lifelong friend. Take this to whatever extreme you're comfortable with.

Julian Shapiro • Writing Well - Part 4 - Writing Style

Writing Tips - Style

Have a captivating intro that buys goodwill.

Have at least one peak of insight or surprise.

Have an ending that satisfyingly justifies why the piece was worth reading.

There’s your writing formula. The rest of your article can be weak and most readers will still enjoy it. Take comfort in the implication: not every paragraph has to be interesting.

Julian Shapiro • Writing Well - Part 3 - Rewriting and Editing

Writing Tips - Be Intruiging

I use a technique I call dopamine counting to weave novelty into my writing:

I ask people to leave feedback by highlighting every sentence that gives them a dopamine hit. These are the moments of delight where they remark: "Ahh, that's cool/profound/fascinating." For each hit, I increase a counter at the end of the corresponding sentence. Like this

Julian Shapiro • Writing Well - Part 3 - Rewriting and Editing

Writing Tips - Be Intriguing

Ask for feedback from the audience you’re writing for. Here’s a template:

It would be helpful if you read my article slowly to transcribe the reactions you have while reading it. For example:

1. Tell me what to delete — When you notice your interest is fading, you can say “I'm drifting here. This isn’t compelling and it isn’t adding value. Get to the

Julian Shapiro • Writing Well - Part 3 - Rewriting and Editing

Writing Tips - Feedback

Step one is choosing an objective for your post, such as:

Open people’s eyes by proving the status quo wrong. Example.

Share a solution to a tough problem. Example.

Distill an overwhelming topic into something approachable. Example.

Tell a suspenseful and emotional story that imparts a lesson. Example.

Articulate something everyone’s thinking about but

What to Write About

Writing tips - Ideation

In speech, when you say something that doesn't resonate, you can add sentences to further explain your point. Don't do that in writing. If your sentence doesn’t resonate, you go back and rewrite it.

Writing is a process of deliberate thought curation—where each sentence can justify its inclusion in your final draft.

Julian Shapiro • Writing Well - Part 3 - Rewriting and Editing

Writing Tips - Rewriting to be Concise

To be brief on the sentence-level, remove words that don’t add necessary context. Extra words cause readers to slow down and do extra work. That makes it harder for them to recognize the sentence’s point. And when you exhaust readers, they quit reading.