I'm learning Python. Most people are. 'Learn to code', they said. So here we are. What I didn't expect is how learning a digital language would help me wield the analog ones.
As Stephen King explained in his 2000 partial autobiography 'On Writing', putting words on the page amounts to "telepathy, of course." You take an abstract thought or emotion in your head, you express it using words and syntax. You then offer these words to others for them to use to reconstruct that thought or emotion in their own heads. Do it right, and telepathy it is. More importantly, it is also coding.
When you code, you learn to define things in the right order so that the computer will not be confused. You learn to build your code in modules that connect together, to link sections of your code to others so that they may effect recall, influence each other and work together to deliver the experience that you are aiming for. Much of this is also true in fiction.
What coding really helps you do as a writer is structure your story, down to the sentences. When you write with coding in mind, you keep things clear for your audience. This makes sure to avoid what Alfred Hitchcock defined as "one of the fatal things (...) to have a mind that is confused. Otherwise the audience won’t emote." Coding connects you to emotions. How about that?
Another thing that coding forces you to do is to take the big picture into account. You can't just start writing code and discover your program as you go, which is how a lot of fiction is written. I believe this takes tremendous time and effort, which could be spent more productively on planning and structure. Coding must be planned from beginning to end in order to function properly. If you plan your story in the same way, taking into account how each portion of it, or scene, connects to the others, in the right order, in the right way, then I believe your story will improve drastically. Big picture before details, and pennies will take care of themselves.
Now, everyone has their own technique that works for them. This must be respected. However, one can also consider alternatives along the way. By being open to new solutions, you might just find an aspect of the craft that eluded you thus far. And when you do, it will make you a better writer.
Coding is a language. Learning to code is learning to speak to a computer. Since computers are starting to become intelligent, shouldn't we all consider how coding can help us communicate better with each other?
Feel free to comment on this at your leisure. I look forward to your thoughts.
Wednesday 18 September 2019
Thursday 14 March 2019
Writing for your audience
Too often, we start writing by thinking of what we want to say. That is only part of the equation. Ask any married couple if they communicate better when they adapt to their partner and you will immediately see what I mean.
Whenever we produce written content, we are writing for someone: our audience of readers. It is therefore important to write from their perspective. This means taking into account what they are looking for, what they want to hear, what they like. It means tailoring the message to make sure that our ideas are heard.
That is what makes good communication cement relationships and create emotional attachments. It also applies to any kind of written content.
An idea or argument that we want to communicate must have hooks. These are elements for the audience to relate to, something that makes them put their guard down. When you write, you are fishing and hunting at the same time. You plant words to attract your audience's attention and you are also going after a specific type of person by using a targeted platform for your message. Either way, you need game.
Humour works well, but is hard to do right. The best way is to smuggle your idea or argument within another, less disruptive proposition. This often leads to a form of entertainment because, when we are entertained, we open up.
Entertaining content doesn't need to be dumbed down or simplified. It needs to make you feel good when you read. It needs to make you want to read more. You're entertained when you forget the rest and focus on what is entertaining you. That's why the funny guy always seduces the girl.
From a fiction story to a newsletter, keeping the audience in mind and entertained is the key to successfully putting a message across. What we want to say matters less than how we say it. If we truly want to be heard, to be understood, we need to shape our words for others to embrace.
Let the games begin.
Whenever we produce written content, we are writing for someone: our audience of readers. It is therefore important to write from their perspective. This means taking into account what they are looking for, what they want to hear, what they like. It means tailoring the message to make sure that our ideas are heard.
That is what makes good communication cement relationships and create emotional attachments. It also applies to any kind of written content.
An idea or argument that we want to communicate must have hooks. These are elements for the audience to relate to, something that makes them put their guard down. When you write, you are fishing and hunting at the same time. You plant words to attract your audience's attention and you are also going after a specific type of person by using a targeted platform for your message. Either way, you need game.
Humour works well, but is hard to do right. The best way is to smuggle your idea or argument within another, less disruptive proposition. This often leads to a form of entertainment because, when we are entertained, we open up.
Entertaining content doesn't need to be dumbed down or simplified. It needs to make you feel good when you read. It needs to make you want to read more. You're entertained when you forget the rest and focus on what is entertaining you. That's why the funny guy always seduces the girl.
From a fiction story to a newsletter, keeping the audience in mind and entertained is the key to successfully putting a message across. What we want to say matters less than how we say it. If we truly want to be heard, to be understood, we need to shape our words for others to embrace.
Let the games begin.
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