Know your audience

One-size-fits-all rarely works with socks so why do you think it works for writing? Prehaps your headlines grab the wrong audience. As Tyra Banks says; "pose one way for men's magazines and another way for women's magazines." Psychotactics gives this the "write twist".

Sean's articles are among my favorites because he gives practical examples to illustrate his points. Even if you are not writing web site or marketing content, these ideas about targeting your audience are useful for many types of writing. He shows that if you want attraction, write for then Cosmo reader. If you want conversion, write for New Yorker's reader. Apply this to a novel or short story by considering whether you are writing to capture attention, shock value or excitement (Cosmo) v. writing to inform, persuade or rally (New Yorker).

Here's a simple exercise: take one idea and write a headline with first paragraph for the Cosmo reader than give it the write twist for the New Yorker reader. Notice the differences. Which approach best serves your theme? Consider taking the unexpected approach to liven up your story and keep your reader curiously turning pages.

Power of 3 for your writing

As a huge fan of Psychotactics, Sean's clear explanation of using "3" as the ideal illustrative number for writers is worth reading. After all, how many is too many when listing attributes of a character or location? Three balances well and seems to work with the human brain's processing potential. Two looks whimpy. Five, seven or nine is overkill.

Psychotactics writer, Sean, offers three reasons why three works:

1. Focus quickly
2. Solid substance
3. Curse of knowledge

My favorite is "curse of knowledge" and I see this in student papers and works of novice writers. Editing and restraint seem to be missing from their dictionaries. Yes, you can know too much. In fact, the more expertise you have about a topic, the greater the danger. Before unloading a written tsunami on unsuspecting readers, consider Sean's advice: "three things restricts your amazing power to write endlessly". To that I would add: and bore intensely or overwhelm without mercy. Less is more. . .be concise then be done.