Persuasive Writing

Exclamation Points!!!!

If you are above the age of fourteen, you will no longer be excused for your exclamation point abuse. Just what is exclamation point abuse?

Why, using one at all.

If you are writing a novel, you are allowed one exclamation point for the whole thing. There is another rule: you are allowed to use three exclamation points over the course of your lifetime. (I guess that limits you to three novels containing one exclamation point.)

Why? Because your words should convey the power of what you're saying, not smiley-faced punctuation.

Pre-Load Your Brain

Writing is hard if you don't trust yourself and you have to power through every sentence. Relax a little and let your brain do the work on its own.

Here's the easiest way to do it: Before you go to bed at night, read everything you need to know to write about your subject. This doesn't mean to re-read the books you've read in preparation -- read the notes you took about those books. Don't try to form opinions. Don't try to solve your problems. Just load your brain with information.

Now, go to bed. Sleep on it. Then get to work the first thing in the morning. The very, absolutely first thing. You are allowed a cup of coffee while you work, especially if you loaded the coffeemaker the night before. Don't get dressed. Don't talk to anyone. Start writing.

You'll be relieved and surprised and how your sleeping brain solved many of your problems. But keep going until you are substantially done! If you stop, just like waking from a dream, you may not remember the things you were so sure you knew.

Pre-load your brain. Then sleep on it.