So You Think You Can't Write!
- Apr 20, 2021
- 4 min read
Written by: Kriti Surjan Thepade, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I don't think I can do it! I can't write. It's not my cup of tea.
These are some of the sentences I've heard frequently in my career as a journalist, writer, and content creator.
Content creation is the part of the process where your product or service or you as a person are visible to the world in literal terms. What you write or is written about you serves as the outline for your imagery to everyone else who's reading or hearing it. It's like having an introductory or continued conversation with invisible people who can read you, see you, and listen to you.
"Good content is not storytelling. It is telling your story well!"
And that is true. As a race, we have always been storytellers; that's how we have preserved history and present heritage to the future through images, carvings, scriptures, and of course- stories!
So, coming back to content — it is like telling a story or sharing layers and peels.
But, one layer or story at a time!
You see, like any other form, relationship, or arena, consistency plays a pivotal role in content creation. It doesn't mean everything has to be molded into a straight jacket. It simply means finding how much and what to share and use and, most notably, when and how.
Content creation is like building a relationship that starts from the introduction and gradually cements its bond and roots.
Without much further ado, here are a few inputs from me that have always eased and paved my way into writing and creating solid content.
1. Write down your introduction.
It can be your bio or your business's bio, or a small text you use for first meetings or formal introductions. If you don't have one, try standing in front of the mirror and talking to yourself as if you are meeting someone for the first time, and then write down the basics about yourself or your business in these categories: Who, Why, What, When, Which, How, and Where.
These seem to be the normal 6Ws but are most effective in covering all the bases.
2. Freewriting.
Whenever you encounter mental blocks regarding what you should be writing or what subject to cover, start writing freely. It can be in keywords, one-liners, or small paragraphs, and don't worry if everything doesn't make sense; keep writing, and you'll see the flow, and there's always the possibility to edit and rephrase. This helps and boosts a lot in clearing up the mind and clarifying what should be presented.
For example, if you have a background in dance. You can write words and sentences like a form of expression. Dancing gives a sense of finding freedom. It is cultural. It is my career, etc. Gradually you start seeing a pattern.
3. Word Chain.
This technique is a personal favorite. Known by various names like a word cloud, word blocks, or word chain, this is a practical and straightforward way of expanding point of view, meanings, definitions, and even sentences. All you have to do is write a word and start connecting from there. For example, if you have written the word white, you can add words like cloud, color, milk, rose, etc., just expanding the scenario further.
4. Rhyming words.
I have used this technique in my time as a teacher, and not only it makes languages interesting, the rhyming technique provides hilarious inputs and some unique content. For example, shine rhymes with pine. Dine-mine. Nine-wine. So on and so forth. To make it even more exciting and fruitful, try creating sentences and meaning using rhyming words. The sentences don't have to belong or be complicated. But the effort will be worth it!
5. Scribble in order.
There was a game I grew up playing. It was called "Name, Place, Animal, Thing." The rule of this game was to fill the above categories in one chosen alphabet.
For example, if it were an A: Name from A — Anya
Place from A — Algeria
Animal from A — Alligator
Thing from A — Abacus
This game still helps in discovering snippets and vocabulary. And it isn't that cumbersome if you like word games.
6. Show it all.
There's one beautiful factor about languages and content, and that is it can be flexible in terms of expression. The meaning being, you are not just restricted to words or specifically selected means to be visible or to express what you stand for.
Content creation can include pictures, photographs, any other form of expression, and, more pointedly, any other form of expression you feel is more like you.
I hope this helps and aids you in creating some of your most memorable moments and content!
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Kriti Surjan Thepade, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kriti Thepade is from India residing in Oslo. She has been working in print and radio for 15 years in India and Hong Kong as a copywriter, editor, reporter, translator, educator, and business partnership manager. She is now a workshop organizer for art and craft (for children) and vision boards (for adults), a content creator, a book consultant, a speaker, and an advocate for body positivity and body neutrality. As an avid writer, her favorite subjects to write about are - politics, culture, food, and travel. When not writing- she likes to bake, photograph, and read. Kriti strongly believes that growth comes when you help others to flourish as well. Kriti holds a B. Com in Taxation, LL.B Laws of Taxation and Forensics Science and Diploma in Cyber Law, Certification in Cyber Crime Investigation, Meditation, and a Life Coach Certification.
