This is part two of “how I write.” It is NOT part two of “how TO write.”

Everyone needs to (learn to) write in a more compelling manner. Clear, concise, compelling writing is a rarity in our world. E-mail and text messaging has helped with clear and concise, but it has taken “compelling” out of the formula.

I started yesterday by elaborating on the following major points:

I write like I think. I write like I talk.
I write anywhere, anytime.
I collect ideas. I collect thoughts.
When I get the idea, I stretch it.
I write from my own experience.
When I write a blog or a document of any sort, I stick to one subject, thought, or theme.
I write with authority.
I don’t “call it” anything.
I don’t care about grammar.
I do care about structure. I do care about flow.
I rely on spell-check, and keep on writing until I complete the thought.

I’m sharing my personal writing habits and methods because I believe they will help you understand writing, and become a better writer. And yes, I’ll tell you how you can get both parts at the end of this blog post.

Here are the rest of my personal writing philosophies:

My writing voice is not PC. If I waste time with “his or her,” I lose my thought. I don’t mean to be insulting, I’m just writing in my voice. It’s how I grew up. It’s the same voice as all the early books I read, and continue to read. NOTE: It’s a MESSAGE and a THOUGHT. It’s an IDEA or a STRATEGY. Not a GENDER.

I write in the male gender because I’m a male. I never mean to offend anyone. I’m trying to make points, generate new thinking, and help people succeed. That advice knows no gender. Read between the pronouns, don’t get hung up on them.

I do not include myself with the reader. I separate myself from the reader with pronouns. I say “you” “your” “they” “he” “she” “it” or “the,” NEVER “we” or “our.” I talk to the reader, but never include myself in the thought. NOT, “We all know…” rather, “You know.” NOT, “Our thoughts tell us…” rather, “Your thoughts tell you…”

I break the rules of traditional writing, grammar, and punctuation. Teachers of grammar would not give me a passing grade. I could care less. I’ve written thousands of successful proposal, articles, blog posts, critiques, etc. How many have they written?

I edit when I finish, but I edit better a day later. Editing is revealing. It tells you what you were thinking at the moment you wrote it. Editing a day later reveals, “What was I thinking when I wrote this?” EDITING SECRET: I read aloud when I edit. And I ask others to edit when I think I’m finished. Both of these secrets make my writing twice as powerful.

I end my lists with .5 rather than a whole number, for 2.5 basic reasons:

1. The .5 statement at the end of each list I make is the glue that binds the rest of the list.

2. Ending this way makes me think deeper about the subject. Think of a higher level. Here’s where I can add philosophy, humor, challenge, and or a final call-to-action.

2.5 It makes my lists different from all other lists. It brands me, and sets me apart from all other list makers (except for the few that copy me).

I love to write. This may be the biggest secret of writing with passion and clarity. I believe loving it makes the thoughts flow deeper and more consistently. I believe loving it makes me consider “long term legacy” as well as “short term impact.” I believe my love of writing makes me a more complete writer. Content becomes more relevant, and pride of authorship shows through in every sentence.

I just counted personal pronouns. The word “I” appears in this two part blog more than 90 times. A record. I use first person singular sparingly. If you’re a regular reader, you know I avoid first person plural (we, our) like the plague. It sucks the power out of my writing. And it drains the impact by lowering the value of the writer. When you write, you’re the authority. The reader is probably not, don’t include yourself with them.

Less about me, and more about you:

Here are 5.5 things you can do to improve your skills today:
1. Just sit down and write something. Every day.

2. Save your best thoughts and ideas the second they occur. Not on a pad of paper or a diary. ON A COMPUTER, where you can re-read it, expand it, and edit it.

3. Write it like you would say it.

4. Make sure your thoughts are simple, easy to understand, and complete.

5. Edit early and often.

5.5 You’re writing for the reader AND yourself.

So, write your ship today and learn how to write compellingly, with clarity, passion and in a way that creates results.