Studio Blog
The two articles I selected were inspirational to me because they reminded me of two things I work towards even in my own writing; voice and simplicity. Will and Lily both wrote articles that surprised me in how they were executed, and delightfully educated me on topics I never thought twice about. Will instructed me how to build an island, while Lily focused on the power of positive emotions.
How to Build an Island in the Sea
"Building your own island isn't an impossibility, provided you are willing to work the steps necessary to ensure that your project has the proper sanction from government and the right engineering. If you're hoping to construct your own coral atoll--a chain of islands around a central lagoon--you'll need to wait for the coral to grow, which could take longer than your lifetime. If you simply want a sand-and-gravel island, the process will move along more quickly."
Who Wrote It: Will Charpentier
What I Like About It: The voice. I am constantly impressed by our writer’s ability to maintain their voice and expertise in articles that would seem impossible to someone unfamiliar with the subject. In this article, Will’s voice is recognized by his consistent style of avoiding the obvious and effortlessly directing his focus to the problem presented by the title. He goes out of his way to avoid commenting on the blaringly oblivious point; "Really? Build an island?" I read his overview and was sold. Not only was I intrigued to see where this author was taking me, but I was also convinced that I was about to learn something I had assumed to be impossible.
How You Can Copy It: When you write something you are familiar with there is a confidence and ease that shines through and helps highlight your voice. This helps you focus less on making your article sound like you know what you are talking about, and more like you. Voice is never an easy thing to teach or perfect as a writer. Practice, patience, and confidence are all needed. The overview is a great place to exercise your voice.
In order to learn how to have a strong voice as a writer, you must read authors that have mastered it. The main goal is for someone to read your work and know it is you without having to look at your byline. I do this every time I read David Sedaris. No matter what he writes, when I am reading him, I have that moment when I stop and think, "this sounds a lot like David Sedaris" and it usually is.
"Many people do not realize the power of positive emotions. Positive emotions can not only help us grow as people, but they can also improve the quality of our relationships and increase our sense of emotional well-being, according to Dr. Vijai Sharma of Mind Publications. If you are having trouble recognizing the positive emotions you experience on a daily basis or need some help to figure out which new positive emotions to bring about in your life, viewing a list of positive emotions may help."
Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet / Flickr
Who Wrote It: Lily J. Thythan
What I Like About It: Lily was able to write on a simple topic and produce an interesting article that was authentic unto itself. Her individual knowledge and understanding of this subject allowed her to create unique and comprehensive descriptions of known terms in her own way. As writers, your interpretations and personal experiences are valued and necessary when constructing content.
How You Can Copy It: Keep it simple. You want to educate your readers with your article, but you also don’t want to overwhelm them with unnecessary information. Keep the article simple, concise and make sure to use your overview as a nut graf (heart of the story) to clearly summarize what the article is saying. As Truman Capote once said, "I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil."
