The-F-Word.org

So, while I was on holiday hiatus, I was “roared” at by Harriet at the blog Feed Me! Many thanks, Harriet.

Roar etiquette directs me to do two things: list three things I believe are necessary for powerful writing, and then send roars out to another five of my favorite and fearless writers. So, here goes:

Rachel’s rules for powerful writing

1. Be clear, be concise. Okay, so it’s technically two rules in one, but the two often go hand-in-hand. Proper grammar and clarity are essential for not only capturing readers’ interest, but in engaging the reader through the conclusion. Omit unnecessary words. Write smart, but don’t use a $1 word when a 25-cent word will suffice.

2. Write so that the reader not only reads the story, but sees the story. Avoid clichés and over-flowery language, but write with detail, using rich language and enticing imagery. Good writing not only engages your mind throughout the read, but for a long time after. Part of this lies in good interviewing techniques; when you put people at ease, the story follows.

3. Develop your own voice. Powerful writing requires a unique voice, which can take decades to develop. And by voice I don’t mean style or tone of a story - I mean a writer’s vision, thought, and insight. If you aspire to be a newspaper writer, read as many newspapers as you can. Ditto for magazine writing or business writing or whatever form of writing to which you aspire. Practice writing every day, even if it’s a brief journal entry or blog post. Great writers aren’t born; they develop.

So, on to the second part. In no particular order, here are a few authors whom I adore:

Kathy Y. Wilson - Kathy is a no-holds-barred, piss-and-vinegar, tell-it-like-it-is kind of writer who fuses some of the absolute best creative writing I’ve ever read with very sensitive and even inflammatory topics. She formerly wrote a column for Cincinnati CityBeat called Your Negro Tour Guide in which she wrote about issues of race. She’s now moved on and is a contributor for Cincinnati Magazine. She released an anthology of her YNTG columns several years ago and has a new memoir coming out soon.

When it comes to news, veteran NPR reporter Daniel Schorr sets the bar. The senior news analyst for NPR boasts a career of more than six decades reporting national and international news and even at 91-years of age shows little signs of slowing down. In fact, he just released a new memoir this month, Come to Think of It: Notes on the Turn of the Millennium.

When I first read works by Sherrie Inness I grew excited: Finally, a historian who doesn’t write in the typical dull, dry, and boring historian mold! Then I discovered Inness to be an English professor at Miami University and it all made sense. Inness writes the books I only wish I had written. She concentrates primarily on how food intersects with race, class, and gender, but also writes on other feminist-inspired topics. Her well-researched topics are infused with interesting observations, creative writing, and clever wit.

Blog writing is entirely different than most forms of writing, and it’s one not everyone has a knack for. But Monique over at Big Fat Deal has mastered the art of writing about the portrayal of weight in popular culture with aplomb. Her writing is fun and always sure to bring a smile.

Not to be confused with Big Fat Blog, who likewise boasts interesting and engaging reads. Author Paul McAleer looks at the more weighty topics of fat discrimination and fat rights in society, and writes in such a way that you can’t help but nod your head in agreement. His writing is succinct, his verbiage adroit, and his wit is quick and sharp.

So, what are some of your own suggestions for powerful writing or who are your own favorite writers? What makes you keep reading?