These are some good writing tips by one of the greatest storytellers of the 21st century, Robert Greene.
I thought that these tips could be useful for you, Stackers, helping you to improve your writing skills and write better posts on Stacker News.
Say Less than Necessary
There is more power is saying less. The same goes for your writing.
•Keep it short and use loops
•Your audience will read more
•This creates flow and keeps the attention
Understand:
Look for ways to subtract.
You will gain more freedom.
Create a Sense of Urgency
Use the tactic known as "pacing"
•Pacing makes events unfold fast.
•Control the speeds of events in your stories.
•Bounce between fast & slow - this focuses the brain
Use words like:
•Hurry
•Limited
•While the offer lasts
Create compelling spectacles
People are drawn to drama. Use stories that evoke emotions:
•Horror
•Laughter
•Suspense
•Empathy
•Joy
Interpretation:
Bouncing between good and bad emotions creates drama.
This will make your writing & stories memorable.
Play to People's Fantasies
Everyone has dreams & desires
People daydream often
Capitalize on this by:
•Studying your market
•Finding common problems
•Using testimonials of dreams made a reality
Understand:
We have dreamsMake stories that guide them to come true
People have a natural inclination towards group identity
People want to fit in. They will abandon their needs to help the group.
Create:
-A community of like-minded people.
-Show gratitude for their ideas.
-Have people share their input.
This fills an empty inner void.
The Mirror Technique
Mirroring triggers reactions in the brain that gives you influence.
Study your audience's problems.
This creates a connection.
Write about the problems & the solutions
This makes you seem psychic
You know their problems more than they do.
Use your creativity:
Creativity solves problems & births innovation.
Find what makes you unique and leverage it.
Write about:
Personal Stories
Obstacles you've faced
Problems you've solved
This makes you stand out.
In turn, you become the innovator people aspire to be
Master your emotions
Learn to control your emotions & channel them.
Develop god-like self-awareness:
Journal
Meditate
Schedule alone time
A heightened sense of self-awareness
Allows you to use logic and master emotions.
Then you will read others' emotions.