Writing every day has many benefits for your content writing.
Writing every day is a struggle for some, but comes naturally to others. So, they’re able to produce lots of content by writing blogs, books, ebooks, articles, make videos, etc.
Back in the day, we acknowledged writing every day as freewriting. According to Wikipedia, freewriting is a “prewriting technique in which a person writes continuously for a set period of time without regard to spelling, grammar, or topic. It produces raw, often unusable material, but helps writers overcome blocks of apathy and self-criticism.”
Freewriting can be used for anything and everything!
Jacqueline, I don’t have time to free-write. I get it. I understand. You’ve probably had a long day. Too many demands from your boss or leader. You feel exhausted and fatigued.
Of course, free-writing is the last thing on your mind.
Many authors, content writers, professional writers, reporters, etc. all have specific routines that help to grow their writing abilities every day.
Not one of them became great writers overnight.
1. They read every day.
2. Many meditate for 30 minutes in the morning and in the evening
3. Writers also write daily.
This total hour of meditation time for some of them includes freewriting also known as journaling.
Writing every day brings you to a place of self-reflection and improvement personally and for content writing production.
I’m bringing this up because you too can do the same. Money status has nothing to do with 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes before bed.
Plus, while you’re writing and reflecting on yourself and the events of your day, it’s great practice for writing to explain and with great details.
Besides, the suggested average free-write is timed for 30 minutes.
The awesome part about free-writing during meditating is that no one will judge or critique your grammar, style, and voice. I once asked an old friend what the best way to improve writing was.
She answered, “Just free-write. Journal frequently–this way no one can judge your writing, and it will make you stronger.” This advice is the best in the universe.
Free-writing provides escapable journeys. It automatically teaches you how to get through writer’s block. Trust me. I can identify with writer’s block and admit that I get lazy and do not always feel like putting thoughts on a page.
Conversely, I acquire much inspiration from my daily encounters, favorite scholars and thinkers like bell hooks, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, W.E.B. DuBois, Parker J. Palmer and Paulo Freire.
I love their writings as they reveal such dominant thinking processes. Find other writers and thinkers that encourage and inspire you to write. Reading works from your favorites will create new ideas to help you fill many crisp pages.
Have hopes to become a stronger writer and critical thinker. Do this with the practice of free-writing. Try not to “lose” yourself in the process, but rather go through another “re-inventing” experience. Also, read more so that you can write in more detail.
When the brain shuts down, it is sometimes because you do not have enough information or prior knowledge to use to expand your thoughts.
Writing every day improves your voice and style in content writing.
NEVER! NEVER! NEVER permit anyone to change your voice or style in content writing. There’s a difference between a mentor assisting and developing your writing versus to altering EVERYTHING about your content.
Overall, style differs from voice. Your style may choose to write poetically with soft, flowery words, using metaphors and similes.
Another’s style may be of rich vocabulary–words that cause for a dictionary. Voice is essentially “you” from the heart.
It is your own and is unique to others, which sets you apart from them. Your voice on the page reveals your personality by language and word choice.
I remember feeling inadequate in college around other writing peers. My writing didn’t match there style or voice (personality). These feelings can cause stress and anxiety.
Even with my content writing and strategies, my voice and style differs from yours and thos who have been around much longer than me.
You feel this way because you’ve fully entered the world of “writing competition.” And, this limits you to your fullest writing potential. The root of anxiety is fear.
Remove yourself from the competitive nature that’s out there.
It’s not good to measure yourself to others, nor compare your writings to theirs. One of my favorite thinkers, Henri Nouwen, offers great words for this in one of his books. In this chapter, “Beyond the Transference of Knowledge,” he asserts:
“Students who are aware of the fact that all their accomplishments, not only academic but athletic and social accomplishments as well, will be compared with those of others, and who realize that their grades will decide their further schooling, their future job, and even their military status, understandably can become victims of paralyzing fear.”
“This fear makes many students oversensitive to the reactions of their friends and teachers. This fear makes them extremely self-conscious, highly defensive in their relationships with others, constantly concerned about the possibility of failure, and very hesitant to take any risks or do anything unexpected. Often this fear becomes the unaccepted ruler over everything they WRITE, SAY or EVEN THINK. Through this fear, competition prevents students’ free development as complete human persons.”
Mistakes may cause reactions that provoke adrenaline rushes and anxieties. If allowed, mistakes can lure you into competitive rounds to not look bad.
Who wants to look bad in front of others? Henri Nouwen asserts that competition will increase and compound stresses. He contends people are not here to compete, but those systems constrain us into this mode of thinking and becoming.
I concur with Nouwen. You can feel stressed reviewing your writings over and over because you desire your works to be that of excellence.
You are unique. Your writings will not be like anyone else. If at any moment you feel overwhelmed, step away from the project. Go into another zone of something you love.
Another alternative is to talk to a close friend or partner about your frustrations. Removing yourself and taking breaks are healthy aspects of the life of a writer.
Your creative energies cannot flow under pressures that bring restrictions. Restrictions suffocate creativities.
When I mentor writers for personal, education or business, I am intentional about maintaining their voice and style.
You already come to the table with an authentic voice and vernacular, which should be honored wherever it goes. Even if people don’t agree with it (and yes they have this right), write from your heart and with the best intentions.
Your unique voice and style show the real you. And, this is at the core of producing incredible content writing.
In Conclusion
Writing every day has two main benefits for your content writing. Your voice and style fully develop over time. You also grow stronger muscles in weak writing areas when freewriting.
Images Courtesy of Pixabay.com