Creativity

Are you tired of reading dry, dull, dusty writing? It may be a flyer, email, memo, advertisement, or other piece of writing that crosses your path. Certain things catch our eye--colors, movement, sounds. Words paint pictures that sell an image, an impression. In the business world, this is frequently called "branding." It's simply creating an image.

If you want to catch someone's attention, think about your intention. What do you want to be the lasting impression? What words will create that effect?

If it helps, work up a journal of comparable words and images so you'll have a resource for later.

For instance, look around you. How many shades of blue do you see? Can you describe them al distinctly so another person will know which one you're referencing. Is it clear sky blue? Close to the shore sea blue? Brand new denim blue? Worn in faded blue jeans blue?

The words you use paint a picture in the reader's mind. Even if you're writing a memo or technical manual, be mindful of the words you choose and the image they convey because the words will influence your reader.

Next time you have to write something, take a moment. Take a deep breath. Picture what you want as the outcome. Write this down so you have a clearly defined goal in mind. Then brainstorm on words that will help convey that image.

Unexpected and familiar images will pop in the reader's mind--what image do you want to convey? What words will paint the impression. Do you want broad, sweeping strokes or precise lines? Play with the words until you create the impression you want. Try writing up the piece using different images. After you've written up a coupld different forms, read them out loud. How does the piece make you feel? Is this the impression you want to convey to the reader? Why?

Be creative. Don't be afraid to put words on paper. It's not wrong or right so long as you write. Let your imagination play. Creative, fun, thought-provoking images stick in our minds. We carry them around and review them from time to time. If you want the reader to think about you or your product, make sure the image sticks, so be creative with the images and words.

Take time to play with the words and build up your journal reference of images and words. Then the next time you have soemthing to write and you want the writing to catch the reader's attention, you'll have had some practice and some words as back up.

Keep your variations. You never know when a writing or impression will work. What you write may not work for the current target audience, but that audience may change. Keep your various drafts for later reference.

Start now keeping this journal reference. The more you practice, the easier this process will be for you . . . and this process will take less time with each successive attempt.

Regardless of what you're writing, why, or for whom, the better the picture you draw, the more likely the reader will listen to your point of view. Now you've got their attention.