In content creation academies, you hear about headlines, text structure, sentences, length, thumbnails…
Hundreds of tips for optimizing your read ratio.
Advice on all the elements of a prose.
In the advice books on creating a novel, they tell you to :
Create your characters this way
Use certain narrative structures
Use certain rhythms to keep your reader captivated
I’m not going to criticize these tips because it’s a reality. You’re more likely to get views on your content when you tweak it to appeal to an algorithm.
I haven’t published a novel yet, but I suppose you’re more likely to get your story published if you follow the rules of the market.
But …
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get locked into these optimization schemes.
Artists feed off their moods, and if they’re not happy, they’ll have trouble thriving.
Writing is also about sharing what’s on your mind.
Without artifice.
Without seeking to optimize.
Without trying to greenlight every word in your correction apps.
Writing is art, and art hates rules.
Take up your pen to pour out what ails you.
Unedited.
Address your audience without a filter.
You, your heart, and your pen.
Get back to the basics of writing, which is about sharing.
Forget all the rules and write what your soul burns to write.
I wrote this post about a week ago and its timing is perfect. Just before rereading it for publication, I came across this:
“AI-generated or plagiarized stories: When the content and structure of stories and/or replies is plausibly determined to be generated by AI, accounts will be removed from the Partner Program permanently or temporarily. This is determined on a case-by-case basis. AI-generated content is permissible in non-paywalled stories if it is disclosed — but it is no longer allowed in the Partner Program, even with disclosure.” From this post
This is a great victory for writers.
Those who have spent months using tools find themselves at ground zero. Those who have continued to write with their brain and sagacity have a great advantage.
A big step forward for anyone who loves to write. And the best time to experiment with this raw writing method. Write what you feel like writing, without any filter or apprehension.
Raw writing is a return to basics.
A direct communication between artist and audience.
One of the most authentic forms of art.
Your unfair advantage is you. Your story. Your personality. In an age when everything has become generic and polished, readers are dying to find singularity.
Break down the rules.
It’s the best time to be yourself.
As I do every week, I've read all your chat submissions and I thank you.
And like every week, I'm sharing three stories with you.
Perseverance and work ethic
I'm in a phase where I'm rebuilding my work ethic. There are no secrets in life. When you're not born with a golden spoon, apart from working intelligently to escape your condition, there's no other way. It's going to take rigor, perseverance and a solid work ethic.
That's all I like to read in a blog post. A real story. Lessons. Reflections. Ideas.
What is Nothing
Metanoia has become one of my favorite publications.
As every week, if you would like to share one of your writings.
It's over here.
So true, Viam! Writing in a raw, personal tone is fantastic. It’s completely different from my legal and fiction writing and I love it! I hope to learn and experiment with it more and really want to create more time to do it. Always trying to find more time is hard, but I’m trying
I am honored by the mention and praise here, thank you Viam.
It’s almost as if these academies and services have something to sell as well…convincing people that they need them and that everything they’re doing is wrong could potentially be a marketing strategy. Just some food for thought. I am always looking for ideas and there are a lot of good tips out there, some are a bit laborious and they do take us away from the heart of writing a bit, but as it’s plain to see, we are here to write, not be sales executives.