Writing experiment: Re-humanizing your words


March Writing Practices

Hi Reader,

De-humanizing language is all around us. And that troubles me deeply.

This month's writing experiment is about pulling strongly in the other direction—adding people back into the words. Against my usual tendency, I'm going to advise you to use more rather than fewer words when writing about people.

If you try it. I'd love to know what you think.

An experiment in re-humanizing language

Categories have a cost. When groups of people become an abstract category, they feel more distant, less human.

This month, experiment with replacing categories of people in your writing. Instead of efficient categories (customers, subscribers), use the words "people who".

Read more below, or watch the video on YouTube.

Behind the scenes in the book launch

I’ve reached one of my very favorite parts of the revision process: Word Search! Yes, I like to think of it as a game.

As I revise the manuscript for flow and meaning, I make a list of overused words or sentence constructions.

My list always starts with the same few words: some, big, new, just. The usual suspects...

Read more here.

That's all for this week. May your writing keep you sane and centered in this uncertain season.

Anne

PO Box 66285 Scotts Valley, CA 95067


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