5 Ways to Unleash the Beast

06 Oct 2009

5 Ways to Unleash the Beast

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Say What You Mean To Say

It took me a long time to start figuring out how to do it. I thought there was a certain way that I had to write, but after writing over 200 posts, I learned that I was writing in a voice that felt comfortable but might not have been the best fit for my blog. As you evolve as a blogger, you should constantly be searching for a way to find your voice. Once you’ve found it, you’ll know it because everything you do will feel different. You’ll feel like you are a man (or woman) on a mission. You’ll have a bit of a swagger and you will spend less time thinking about posting and more time actually filling your blog with great content.

I’m still working on it too

I’ll be honest, I still don’t think I’ve found my voice, but I know that I’m getting closer. How? Well I describe it like this…as a blogger, you’ve got your normal “will they like this post?” writing style, which will be reflected in much of your early content. Eventually though, you’ll start to venture out a bit and you’ll write some things that are great, but you’ll have no idea where they came from. Over time, that voice will keep creeping out until it dominates your blogging and soon you’ll feel like you’ve unleashed the beast within. That’s what it feels like to find your voice…like the muzzle has finally been removed from your inner author. That’s when it becomes awesome

Like I said, it took me nearly 200 posts to get it right, and I’m still working on it. Let’s try and cut out some of that learning curve for you by sharing some of the tips that have helped me improve my writing.

1. Experiment

I’m guessing that like me, you read a lot of good blogs. There are certain writing styles that resonate with each of us. I happen to like Naomi Dunford’s snarky style, but I also like the way that Chris Guillebeau frames his content. These days, once I read a post, I look through it one more time to look for the elements that really speak to me. I observe various writing styles and try to mix them in my content from time to time. Sure, sometimes it doesn’t feel right, but if you experiment with different ways of saying the same thing, I think you’ll find one that feels liberating and allows you to say what you really mean, rather than what you think you mean.

2. Keep it Short

In the past, I used a lot of fluff words. I’d spend a paragraph saying something that could be said in one line. I’ve found that when you keep it short, you are forced to think about what you really want to say, which helps you use powerful words that reach out to your audience and smack them in the face. If your content doesn’t grab you, then how will it grab your reader?

3. Pay attention

Listen to what is going on inside your head when you write. Are there certain types of music that make you feel more at home? Do you write better in silence than you do with noise? Maybe the bookstore vibe brings out the Chuck Palahniuk in you. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings while you write so that you can repeat the successful events.

4. Give up fear

You are already putting your heart at the feet of your readers, so why not reveal it completely. Write as if you have nothing to be afraid of, not as if you are trying to please everyone. Pleasing everyone sounds nice, but the reality is that you end up pleasing no one. Pick an angle and go for it. Commit 100% to your idea and leave it all out there. Every drop of ink should reflect the way you feel. If you need to curse, then curse. If you want to rant, then go for it. Don’t hold anything back.

5. Wait for the next 100 words

An interesting thing happens when I start to write. I’ll sit down, trying to hammer out an idea, and I’ll write a good 100 words before I really feel like I know what I’m talking about. I view it as kind of a warm up for the real writing…morning pages if you will. Once I hit that spot, sometimes it takes more or less, I’ll promptly go and delete the first paragraph or re-write it into a proper intro. This allows me to stay true to rule number 2 and still provide valuable content. Once you’ve warmed up, go over your first hundred words or so and see if they really fit. If they don’t, remove them.

Some people find their voice naturally, others need a little push. Regardless of where you are on the spectrum, pay attention to your reader comments and blog traffic. If you notice, those posts in which you “unleashed the beast,” are usually the most popular.

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http://lifestyledesign4u.com Gordie Rogers

Hey Nathan.
I normally just spew down my opening paragraph and then start listing the points for the main body of the text. You're right how the opening paragraph needs to be rewritten again. I normally do it after I've written the rest of the post.
http://twitter.com/nhangen/status/4656090349 Nathan Hangen

#Webrepreneur 5 Ways to Unleash the Beast: An interesting thing happens when I start to write. I’l.. http://bit.ly/4xIRRB
http://web2andmore.net Kevin Tea

Nathan, good advice on taking blogs to the next level – give up fear and experiment – right, unlocking the cage now …
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Yep…in my opinion there aren't very many bloggers that have their writing style perfected. You can usually tell when you find them. My goal is to become one of them, and this is the strategy that is working for me.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

I used to just leave it there, but I've been working really hard to cut the fluff out of my writing. It has allowed me to open up a bit as well.
http://twitter.com/patty_reiser/status/4659139560 Patty Reiser

RT @nhangen 5 ways to find your blogging voice http://bit.ly/4xIRRB
http://twitter.com/dmonp/status/4659190849 dmonp

RT @kevincumbria: RT @nhangen: offers up 5 Ways to Unleash the Beast http://bit.ly/4xIRRB including lose fear and experiment #mscidel
http://www.mikeslife.org Mike CJ

“Eventually though, you’ll start to venture out a bit and you’ll write some things that are great, but you’ll have no idea where they came from.”

Brilliant mate! That's the best description of what happens I've ever seen. And it's the most wonderful feeling in the world when you're in the zone and the words and content are just flowing. I just wish it would happen every time, but I suspect it doesn't even for the best writers. We'll have to ask the guys we're working with on http://www.beyond-blogging.net
http://twitter.com/mikecj/status/4659285690 Mike CJ

I really liked @nhangen ‘s post 5 ways to find your blogging voice http://bit.ly/4xIRRB
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Good point, we should address that question with some of them.

I guess the goal is to just try and make it happen as often as possible…I should have title the post “How to Channel the Blessing of the Blogging Gods”
http://twitter.com/robertbravery/status/4661594517 Robert Bravery

Unleash that beast @nhangen 5 ways to find your blogging voice http://bit.ly/4xIRRB
http://twitter.com/goodseo/status/4661817858 Etienne Beneke

Nice! Since I will be starting soon! RT @robertbravery: Unleash that beast @nhangen 5 ways to find your blogging voice http://bit.ly/4xIRRB
http://yourblogtools.com/ Johnluffa

Great Post Nathan,

I am always more creative and productive when am in a comfortable zone.
Lately, a comfort zone as involved me hammering out posts with music instrumentals playing in the background – weird.

I also like your point on being unafraid to explore, having such mindset is certainly a step towards discovering ones true writing voice.
http://www.integralwebsolutions.co.za/Blog.aspx Robert Bravery

It pays to be honest, to write from the heart. With passion and feeling. Don't try and mimic others, be your own voice.
I believe in this, but to be honest, it is hard some times. But when we stick to our true voice, it does pay off.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

You are right, but I have to remind myself not to hold back because it can become too easy to filter your own voice. I say just fling it!
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Thanks John,

I dig ya on the music. I was listening to Empire State of Mind (The Blueprint 3) while writing this post, and I think it worked out. However, I've also been known to listen to Flamenco and/or Ambient music while writing. Just depends on the day
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

It is amazing how things progress isn't it? I'm almost scared to go back and read all of mine!
joshhanagarne

Very, very true. When I go back and look at posts I wrote–that are at least 100 posts in the past–they were obviously written by me, but not the me that is bringing in more traffic these days.

I find that the patience required to punch the clock and figure your style out is the limiting factor in many bloggers/writers. How are you going to figure out your style if you expect everything to happen at once?

Bravo, Beastly Mr. N. Always a pleasure
http://yourblogtools.com/ Johnluffa

Great Post Nathan,

I am always more creative and productive when am in a comfortable zone.
Lately, a comfort zone as involved me hammering out posts with music instrumentals playing in the background – weird.

I also like your point on being unafraid to explore, having such mindset is certainly a step towards discovering ones true writing voice.
http://www.integralwebsolutions.co.za/Blog.aspx Robert Bravery

It pays to be honest, to write from the heart. With passion and feeling. Don't try and mimic others, be your own voice.
I believe in this, but to be honest, it is hard some times. But when we stick to our true voice, it does pay off.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

You are right, but I have to remind myself not to hold back because it can become too easy to filter your own voice. I say just fling it!
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Thanks John,

I dig ya on the music. I was listening to Empire State of Mind (The Blueprint 3) while writing this post, and I think it worked out. However, I've also been known to listen to Flamenco and/or Ambient music while writing. Just depends on the day
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

It is amazing how things progress isn't it? I'm almost scared to go back and read all of mine!
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Yep…in my opinion there aren't very many bloggers that have their writing style perfected. You can usually tell when you find them. My goal is to become one of them, and this is the strategy that is working for me.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

I used to just leave it there, but I've been working really hard to cut the fluff out of my writing. It has allowed me to open up a bit as well.
http://www.mikeslife.org Mike CJ

“Eventually though, you’ll start to venture out a bit and you’ll write some things that are great, but you’ll have no idea where they came from.”

Brilliant mate! That's the best description of what happens I've ever seen. And it's the most wonderful feeling in the world when you're in the zone and the words and content are just flowing. I just wish it would happen every time, but I suspect it doesn't even for the best writers. We'll have to ask the guys we're working with on http://www.beyond-blogging.net
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Good point, we should address that question with some of them.

I guess the goal is to just try and make it happen as often as possible…I should have title the post “How to Channel the Blessing of the Blogging Gods”
joshhanagarne

Very, very true. When I go back and look at posts I wrote–that are at least 100 posts in the past–they were obviously written by me, but not the me that is bringing in more traffic these days.

I find that the patience required to punch the clock and figure your style out is the limiting factor in many bloggers/writers. How are you going to figure out your style if you expect everything to happen at once?

Bravo, Beastly Mr. N. Always a pleasure
http://www.yourblogtools.com/ John Lufadeju

Great Post Nathan,

I am always more creative and productive when am in a comfortable zone.
Lately, a comfort zone as involved me hammering out posts with music instrumentals playing in the background – weird.

I also like your point on being unafraid to explore, having such mindset is certainly a step towards discovering ones true writing voice.
http://www.integralwebsolutions.co.za/Blog.aspx Robert Bravery

It pays to be honest, to write from the heart. With passion and feeling. Don't try and mimic others, be your own voice.
I believe in this, but to be honest, it is hard some times. But when we stick to our true voice, it does pay off.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

You are right, but I have to remind myself not to hold back because it can become too easy to filter your own voice. I say just fling it!
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Thanks John,

I dig ya on the music. I was listening to Empire State of Mind (The Blueprint 3) while writing this post, and I think it worked out. However, I've also been known to listen to Flamenco and/or Ambient music while writing. Just depends on the day
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

It is amazing how things progress isn't it? I'm almost scared to go back and read all of mine!
http://twitter.com/gordie_rogers/status/4674783519 Gordie Rogers

RT @nhangen 5 ways to find your blogging voice http://bit.ly/4xIRRB
http://twitter.com/joshhanagarne/status/4674949861 Josh Hanagarne

RT @nhangen 5 ways to find your blogging voice http://bit.ly/4xIRRB
http://twitter.com/luthieawu/status/4676230983 Lilian Wu

RT @joshhanagarne: RT @nhangen 5 ways to find your blogging voice http://bit.ly/4xIRRB
http://nathanhangen.com/blog/introverts/ Can Introverts find Internet Success? | Nathan Hangen

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