What does powerful writing mean to you?
I’ve been asking readers how they’d answer that question… in 30 words or less.
Here are some contributions. Each one helps to shape and develop my understanding of powerful writing. Which one speaks most directly to you? What does that tell you about what powerful writing means to you?
Powerful writing is like an echo in a canyon: it reverberates within your soul long after the words have been read
Karen Swim (via Twitter): Words For Hire
When you write “with power” you are yourself. The only real influence that makes you powerful by writing is the spiritual force within you, that is your inner self.
Radha: Boundless Inspiration
To me, a powerful piece of writing is one which makes its readers think ‘I wish I’d written that’. Powerful writing should also be inspiring!
Catherine: Sharp Words
Memorably evocative. Powerful writing lingers in the mind, sometimes forever. Powerful writing evokes different responses – an emotion, attitude, or desire – but the intensity remains strong with every reading.
Brad Shorr: Word Sell Inc
Writing flexes its power behind the reader’s eyes, when the words fade away and the meaning takes over and he reads in great gulps, drinking in the experience.
Dale: Paragraph City
If you would like to share your answer just leave a comment here, send me an e-mail or a message on Twitter (@joannayoung).
You can also write about what powerful writing means to you at your own blog, and so long as you let me have the link I’ll include it in a round up post here. I’ll be posting the first of those later this week: thanks everyone for your contributions so far.
Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
All these definitions are powerful, Karen’s really moved me. Metaphors are so powerful – we try to use them in marketing these days.
@Joanna, I am gaining so much value from this series. I loved the contributions. You are so gracious allowing us to be a part of this celebratory month. I’m humbled to be included.
@Brad, it’s funny as I read yours I thought “Yes, yes! I was thinking that!” I suppose it’s why I also enjoy your blog so much, I relate!
Joanna, you are truly a powerful writer and as Brad noted your words remain with me long after they are read.
Thank you!
Karen
Brad, I enjoyed Karen’s too, and you’re right, the metaphor provides us with a hook to fix it and recall it in our unconscious mind (which I guess is why they work in marketing too)
Karen, you are so gracious! Interesting that references to lingering, reverberating, evocative are emerging in these definitions and conversations, suggesting to me that powerful writing has something to do with its *lasting* impact, the recognition that it carries a meaning or significance that will stay with us.
Joanna
Joanna,
I am struggling to get it down to 30 words.
It can be different things at different times I guess.
I’m going to meditate on this and get back to it..Maybe I will blog it.
ok….wait…
Powerful writing is writing which stirs me to think about something in a way that I hadn’t thought about before and stretches me to be more than I was.
You just did that for me.
So thank you for your powerful writing.
Wendi
Wendi, what a great contribution! You sent shivers down my spine (that’s one of my definitions…)
Thank you.
Joanna
“Which one speaks most directly to you?”
Joanna, they are all thought-provoking. And so very difficult to choose just the one! So (hope they don’t mind), I’ve combined the strongest parts (speaking to me).
Powerful writing is when you are yourself. Like an echo, it lingers in the mind (sometimes forever), making its readers think ‘I wish I’d written that’ as the words fade away and the meaning takes over.
Cat, I’m loving the combined words!
Esp the last few “as the words fade away and the meaning takes over…”
Sends a shiver.
Joanna