On Writing

I’ve been writing for quite some time now. This very blog for example has just celebrated its eight birthday and is well on the way to reaching 200 articles, with topics ranging from travelogues to tech reviews to political commentary. What started out as simply an English-language companion to my older and larger German blog has long since evolved into a project of its own, with its very own focus and audience, and even long before that, I’d taken to writing short stories for my own enjoyment, so this passion goes back a long way.

Over these eight years, one thing has become clear to me more than anything else. No, I’m not talking about the atrocious payout rates of Google Adsense. Seriously, despite running ads on two blogs for over three years, I have yet to receive a single payout. No, I’m talking about the importance of developing a pleasant writing style. In this day and age, blogs are easily set up with just a few clicks and the competition is therefore immense. With such a wide choice, readers simply won’t spend the time on a blog that is poorly written and as such, your style has a direct and measurable impact on your readership. Now, no one can be perfect right out of the gate, particularly if you’re not a native speaker, such as yours truly. It is also perfectly normal to develop your writing style over time, so it is perfectly normal for your first articles to differ greatly from your later efforts. Having said that, there are certain no-go’s that are independent of your native language or even the alphabet you may be using. 

The first of these is capitalisation. In written communication, particularly with regards to online content, emails, or similar, writing in all caps is CONSIDERED SHOUTING, AND AS SUCH HIGHLY IMPOLITE, not to mention unprofessional. Granted, some people may enjoy being shouted at, your bedroom fantasies are none of my business after all, but in general, this should be avoided. Now, this rule isn’t set in stone when it comes to blogging. I myself have used capitalisation for dramatic effect in a number of articles, mostly in situation where I really felt like screaming, or for comedic effect. Context is king here however, something that may seem perfectly apt to express pain and frustration in an article on mental health is completely inappropriate in any type of business communication. Thankfully, there are several other ways to emphasise certain points when needed. See what I did there? Oh, and one more thing. If you do decide to go down the capitalisation route, use it sparingly. That way, it will have much more of an impact when you do use it.

Another important point is wording, and it’s slightly awkward second cousin once removed, phrasing. You need to tailor your writing to your audience to a certain degree. For me personally, this isn’t much of an issue on this blog, as I try to stick to a conversation, slightly irreverent, tone, which chimes rather well with how I think and speak. This works rather well here, but it’s not always appropriate. A few years ago, a former colleague of mine published a much-hyped “disclosure” book about the “horrible” conditions at Apple’s Hollyhill campus here in Cork. The phrase “Don’t believe the hype” has seldom been more apt, as the entire book consisted of second-hand rumours, creative re-interpretation of actual facts, and a massive overstatement of the author’s importance. What topped it off however, was the choice of words, which often seemed to come straight out of the diary of a teenage girl, rather than what you’d expect from a mature woman in her forties who was writing about the IT industry. Using the word “Sweetheart” every five sentences when referring to your significant other is highly unprofessional in any type of business related publication, particularly if that publication is in German, which makes this word stand out even more. We get it, you’re married and love your partner. Great, no need to shove it down our throat four times on every page!

Similarly, phrasing is an equally critical issue. As someone who enjoys writing, I admit that I do take a certain pleasure in spinning some rather grandiloquent phrases every now and then, while at the same time never being far from a witty, irreverent interjection, often when people least expect it. There is nothing wrong with that, especially since the English language in particular harbours an enormous potential for elegance, a potential that is sadly often overlooked these days. That being said, this elegance isn’t always required, or even welcome. While spinning phrases worthy of the likes of Wilde, Joyce, Tennyson, or Mark Twain is often very satisfying to the author, they have no place in a business email. The same goes for any witty or sarcastic interjections, no matter how appropriate they may be in your mind. Granted, you can get away with it in an email to your boss if the two of you are on the same wavelength, but when you’re dealing with higher management or especially a customer, you’re better off keeping it short to and to the point.

Finally, there’s a really big point: Don’t take your readers for stupid. Seriously, unless you’re writing for a British tabloid, your readers will in all likelihood have an IQ significantly higher than that of a turnip. This goes for every type of writing. The overwhelming majority of people are more than capable of understanding the points you’re trying to make, so don’t try to spoon-feed them information. It won’t be necessary and in many cases you’ll only end up alienating your readers or colleagues, if you’re writing in a corporate environment. Doing either is not a particularly smart idea. When it comes down to it, your readers will be your equals, whether in a blogging, journalism, or corporate situation. Okay, admittedly, the latter situation will bring with it a rather sizeable elephant in the room in the shape of corporate hierarchies, however, that doesn’t change the fact that even your subordinates are equal to you in dignity and intelligence, so treat them accordingly when writing emails and the likes.