Mary Denman

7.13.2011

Secrets to Help You Connect with Your Readers

Every writer wants to connect with her reader through the words on the paper or screen. And we’ve all felt the thrill that comes from a perfectly crafted sentence. You know the type—it’s made up with something that makes the reader feel something, think about your point and apply what you’ve just said.

When I started writing I referred to those rare instances as magic or inspiration. Now, with some experience behind me, I’m a bit more deliberate in crafting them. I want to share some of the tricks that will help you make your writing shine. These suggestions are specifically for non-fiction freelance writing, articles, devotions, etc. But they also translate well when writing fiction.

First, you want to find a specific point of connection with your reader. As I’ve said before, writing is all about relationships. There are several ways to connect with your reader.

Tell a story—you can use this to show common ground with the reader.
Ask a question—this can show that you understand what the reader is concerned about.
Tap into an emotion—it helps to engage the reader’s heart when you begin.

Second, you need to establish credibility with your reader. What you want to do is invite the reader to walk down this path with you. You may be writing an article about weight loss and want them to consider your method. There are several ways of doing this as well.

Quote an expert—if you’re not a fitness expert and you’re writing that weight loss article, borrow the expertise of someone who is.
Use personal experience—maybe you’ve lost weight. This would be relevant to the reader.
Find an understandable statistic—statistics are good to use IF they are quantifiable. In other words, 3 out of 4 people is easy to visualize, but 15.5 percent of the population under age 30 leaves us clueless.

Word of Warning—don’t lecture, preach or point your finger at anyone. No one appreciates a superior tone.

Now it’s your turn. What tips can you share that help you connect with the reader?

Blessings,

Edie Melson

Photo courtesy of Mary Denman

Edie is a freelance writer and editor with over 16 years experience in the publishing industry. She’s a prolific writer, publishing over 700 articles in 2010. She also has a popular writing blog and is a frequent contributor to many others. As a sought after writing instructor, her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She’s the assistant director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Southwest Christian Writers Studio, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Edie is also the Assistant Acquisitions Editor for www.ChristianDevotions.us.

In keeping up with the leading edge of all things digital Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on Twitter, Facebook, and social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in. Her first eBook, Social Media Marketing for Writers, has just been released. It’s currently available on Nook or Kindle for only 99 cents.

7.11.2011

What Are You Focusing on in Life?

So what are you focusing on in life? Are you looking at all the stuff that seems to be going wrong around you? I know I do. I can get caught in a pity party. Of one. It's the loneliest party I've attended.

Take a look at this picture. What do you see? Nothing special, right? There's a decrepit parking lot where a business used to be. At least grass is growing where the building once stood. But look at all the power lines. The sky looks washed out. Not a pretty picture. At all. Or is it?

Sometimes, our lives may feel like this photo. Maybe grass is growing, but a lot of things aren't working. This shot certainly doesn't make you want to take a breath and relax. It screams, "There's lots of work to do here. And it's hot."

So what can we do about it? Stay with me here.

God made us to love beauty. But when our lives aren't measuring up to what we think it should look like, to be beautiful in our opinion, we gripe and complain. We grumble at God.

But God is working. And we need to train ourselves to look for His hand. How do we do this? Let's move in closer on that clump of stuff growing on the far side of the lot.

Look. There are sunflowers growing there. That makes sense. They're a hardy kind of plant. They can survive in the heat. And they need lots of the bright, hot sunlight.

Sunflowers have lots of uses. Bees like them. People, birds and squirrels all eat their seeds. They have lots of protein and can be made into oils. They're healthy for us.

But they don't grow in the shade. Or in cool weather. They're made for the heat.

Following? Let's move closer in. And look up instead of down.

And see what I found.

Can you believe I took this picture from that same decrepit parking lot in the middle of a downtown?

It's called perspective. The flowers in the middle of the parking lot caught my attention. I had to see past all the junk to get the picture I wanted. I had to stop and take the time to look for the right angle. And look at the results.

Notice I'm looking up? That's what God asks of us. To look up to Him. To seek Him.

And look at what we can find when we try to look for beauty. For God working.

What do others see when they look at your life? A bright spot in the midst of trials and suffering?
What about you...what do you see in your life?

Let me know. How do these shots inspire you?

Until next time...
Grace and peace,
Mary