Christian Schaaf's Blog + Portfolio

Tag: writing-tips

  • The Starting Line: Finding the Lead in Racing and Writing

    The Starting Line: Finding the Lead in Racing and Writing

    The starting line was packed. Nervous jitters and excitement traveled through my body. Hearts were racing. The only sound I could hear was my own heartbeat. And then, we were off.

    Before I knew it, I was running with professional, sponsored athletes as we bounded down the streets of Indianapolis. Crowds lined the course, their cheers electric. The energy was contagious. With all the excitement, one thought kept popping in my mind: Stick to the race plan.

    The first half of the race flew by in what felt like seconds. I tucked myself into a group of three runners, and together, we shared the work. Taking turns at the front, we discussed goals between labored breaths, forming a bond as we moved through the field.

    As we weaved through crowded streets, mile markers ticked by. When we hit mile 10, the wear and tear of the race began to set in. Grabbing water while running, I kept pushing.

    The final stretch was a blur. Soreness crept through my legs, but the sound of the cheering crowd carried me forward. With one last push, I crossed the finish line. A volunteer placed a medal around my neck, and I stood there knowing I had given it everything I had.

    I completed the half marathon.

    This week, I dove into another challenge: mastering the art of writing leads. Much like the starting line of a race, the lead sets the tone for the journey ahead. It’s a part of writing I occasionally struggle with. Sometimes, a lead comes to me naturally and I know exactly how I want to start a writing piece. Other times, it feels like I’m at mile 10, pushing through to find the right words.

    When I’m stuck, I often jot down ideas for the rest of the project or write a rough draft before circling back to the beginning. In On Writing Well, William Zinsser offers valuable advice on crafting leads: there are no strict rules, but the goal is to always engage the reader with the first sentence of your piece.

    For my race story, I leaned into storytelling – one of Zinsser’s recommended techniques. Storytelling is my favorite approach. It’s why I chose to study Communications and Graphic Design. To me, writing is like designing: my goal is to paint a vivid picture, letting readers feel like they’re experiencing every step with me.

    Of course, not every lead lands perfectly. Some ideas come together with ease, while others require more effort. My advice? Focus on capturing your audience’s attention, and don’t be afraid to revisit and refine.

    So, what do you think? Did my storytelling hook make you want to read the whole story?

  • Writing for Yourself: The Power of Simplicity and Authenticity

    Writing for Yourself: The Power of Simplicity and Authenticity

    The Audience: How Well Do We Really Know Them?
    When we write, design, or create videos, we often focus on tailoring the message to our audience. But how well can we truly define them? Sure, research can help us get closer to understanding their interests and needs, but is it ever possible to know them fully? If we can’t pinpoint every detail, how do we ensure our work will resonate with our audience?

    This week, as I read On Writing Well by William Zinsser, I encountered a thought-provoking paradox:

    You must write for yourself.

    This idea felt counterintuitive at first, even contradictory to everything I have been taught. But as I considered it, I began to understand Zinsser’s statement.

    How Can Writing for Yourself Engage an Audience?
    You might wonder, “If I only write for myself, how will my audience connect with it?” Zinsser’s answer is simple: you can’t control whether your readers will resonate with your writing style or humor. Writing for yourself doesn’t mean ignoring the audience – it means trusting that your authentic voice will attract those who appreciate it.

    In “The Source of Bad Writing,” Steven Pinker argues that confusing prose often results from writers intentionally choosing unclear language. I know this firsthand: when I come across an article packed with complex jargon, I lose interest quickly. Writers sometimes forget that their readers aren’t experts on the subject and fail to clarify concepts or terminology. As a reader, I value simplicity and clarity – qualities that bring readers in rather than push them away.

    Write Like You’re Speaking to a Friend
    One piece of advice from Zinsser particularly resonated with me:

    Never say anything in writing that you wouldn’t comfortably say in conversation.

    In college, and even high school, I used large, complex words in my writing to sound more “academic.” I thought complexity meant quality. My goal was to impress teachers and professors with my vocabulary, but I often sacrificed meaning and clarity. Did my readers fully understand? When I re-read my work, did I even understand it?

    Simplicity is Key
    If readers struggle to grasp your message, they’re likely to stop engaging with your work. Crafting simple, clear sentences is an art that takes years to perfect, but it’s well worth the effort. Zinsser reminded me that if I lose my authentic voice and can’t make sense of my own words, I lose my purpose as a writer.

    I’ll leave you with this thought: great writing isn’t about being complicated or overly polished. It’s about connecting with readers in a way that feels honest and easy to understand. So, write for yourself, stay true to your voice, and simplicity is often the most powerful choice.

  • Mastering the Art of Simple Writing

    Mastering the Art of Simple Writing

    Have you ever felt lost and confused in a sea of words, trying to decipher complicated sentences? Writing that’s both clear and inviting takes practice. This week, I took a dive into William Zinsser’s On Writing Well, uncovering techniques that transform cluttered text into meaningful, easy-to-follow prose. Here’s a look at two lessons I am going to adopt to write understandable and easily digestible blogs.

    1. Simplicity is Key
    2. Creating Structure

    Simplicity is Key

    In the past, I thought that using complex vocabulary would make my writing more sophisticated and professional. However, Zinsser argues that simplicity is the true indicator of strong writing. Cluttered words and over-complicated phrasing can easily obscure meaning. The goal should be to make your writing as easy as possible for readers to understand, making it feel like a smooth transaction between writer and reader.

    Zinsser emphasizes that clear writing requires cutting out unnecessary words, jargon, and any complex language that might confuse readers. Simplicity requires discipline, and often the final, concise product is the result of several rounds of revision. When I began working as a school’s Communications Specialist a few years ago, I experienced this firsthand. In the first website article I was asked to write, I leaned toward formal language and complex vocabulary, the style of prose that I would use throughout my college essays. My boss pointed out that simplifying my sentences would make the article more accessible to our audience. It was a lesson that stuck with me: the clearer my writing, the more powerful it becomes for the reader.

    Creating Structure

    We’ve all skimmed past a big block of text, right? I know I have. A wall of advanced words can feel overwhelming. Structure invites readers in, breaking down ideas into digestible pieces. As the article “16 Blog Rules” suggests, using headers, lists, short paragraphs, and readable font sizes is essential for online writing. This visual structure not only enhances the reader’s experience but also makes it easier to find specific information.

    The “AU Style Guide” notes that structured writing also improves search engine optimization, increasing the chances of your article reaching a wider audience. With structured, easy-to-read writing, readers are more likely to stay engaged and ultimately get the most out of what you have written.

    Final Thoughts

    Incorporating clarity, simplicity, and structure is essential to create effective communication pieces. I hope these tips make this blog post both enjoyable and easy to read. Let me know, did you find it easy to navigate and understand? Fine-tuning my writing is a work in progress. Remember, simplicity is the way to go!