Hey Friend,
Last week, I shared the number one writing tip I've ever found, which is courtesy of Jeff Goins.
Today, I'm going to share the second best writing tip I've ever received, which is:
Always write an outline!
This is one that I was probably taught back in high school, but neglected to actually carry out until I discovered I wanted to be a writer - and to write often, more specifically.
If you don't compose an outline, you are committing suicide as a writer.
I'm not kidding.
Not getting an outline together before you write is like jumping into the deep ocean without a boat, a raft, or even a life vest.
You're risking too much!
Trying to stir the muse without having a way to follow your own thoughts is simply not worth it.
You'll end up creating a less-than-worthy product, or you'll sit there endlessly, waiting for inspiration to strike...
The fatal error of many writers, even today.
Even with this email...
I wrote down the general idea I wanted to convey first, and then I built out subsequent thoughts from there.
Each time I struggled with what to write next, I looked at the last complete thought I conveyed.
This works well for me if I get stuck mid-piece, and I'm sure it can work well for you, too.
That is only foolproof to a certain extent, though.
You don't want to rely upon just a partial outline to get you through everything.
An outline is just as helpful in reminding you where to wrap up as it is when and where to keep going.
Sometimes, thoughts need to be greatly curtailed to uphold the original vision or goal of an outline.
But that is okay...
Even though writing takes a lifetime to master,
You can see where and how to improve right in front of you.
The more often you practice putting bigger ideas into fewer words,
The less you have to think about it next time you do it.
And that is as true of outlines as it is writing anything else.
Today's writing tip comes from James Patterson, one of the most prolific authors in the modern world. You don't have to love his work to understand that he knows how to sell - a crucial element in any writer's toolkit.
Part of how he sells is by providing excellent tips - tips like reminding writers to always compose an outline.
Outlines always make your work easier because they enable you to focus.
Now that you've gained all this information, I hope writing outlines becomes that much easier.
Remember: an outline is like anything else.
The more often you do it, the better you'll get at it.
The more you use outlines, the more value you'll see in them.
Practice implementing at least one outline this week where you normally don't use it, and see how much more streamlined your results become.
I can't wait until next week's writing tip, where we'll get into some deeper, even more practical material.
To your grandest writing goals, Brad
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