5 Writing Tools That Everyone Has Already (Plus One That EVERYBODY Overlooks)

5 Writing Tools That EVERYBODY Has Already. (Plus One Writing Tool That Everyone Overlooks)

Today, I’ve been writing headlines. Before you ask, yes, I did use these guides to writing headlines from last month:

• How To Write Search Engine Optimised Headlines
• Five FREE Resources That Will Help You With Writing Headlines
• These Headline Writing Tricks Will Make Your Writing Better, You Richer… And Your Cat Will Love You More Too

They’re awesome and you should use them too.

I don’t even know how many headlines I’ve written today, but it’s been fun all the way. The reason is because you really get to think about the technicalities of writing when you’re only writing one line at a time. Writing the same thing over and over again means that you think about each word and the order it comes in.

Today, I’ve been thinking about some of the more intuitive writing tools we have at our disposal that we never consciously think about. Here’s the list that I came up with.

Oh, and the one writing tool that everyone overlooks? That’s in the final section.

1. Location

When you write about stuff for companies all over the world, you tend to forget that there’s a smaller world out there too. Writing headlines today, I’ve had to use some local search terms. When you start a business or you market yourself, you have to remember there’s a local economy. Also, in terms of SEO and Keyword Research, you’ll probably want to think about local search terms. Competition is lower and the potential upside is higher.

2. Character

Everybody is unique. How you deal with situations is different from how anyone else would deal with a situation. More importantly, how you look at a situation is subjective, and only you can see something in the way you can. This means that only you can describe it in the way you can.

You can put that into words, and evoke feelings.

For instance, I could tell you I’m writing this article at the last minute. But anyone could say that, and millions of writers would probably put it like that.

What they couldn’t write though is about how they once wrote an article about soft and hard deadlines.

The funny thing is, since I wrote that article, I’ve found that meeting my soft deadline isn’t enough. I get as anxious about hitting the soft deadline as I used to about hitting a hard deadline. With my daily writing topic, the deadline is short. This means that (if I haven’t written my topic early in the day,) as the clock draws closer to 5 p.m. I start to hear the Saw Theme Tune in my head.

I feel like I’m going to run out of time. Suddenly writing changes from a relaxing activity to feeling like outrunning a train.

I love that feeling.

You might hate it though. Which is why we’ve all got something to write about.

3. Interests

Have you ever gotten annoyed when somebody tried to pigeon-hole you as “the geek” or “the guy who is into MMA” or “The girl who likes Black Veil Brides” or anything similar?

We all have a mixture of interests. We get annoyed when people pigeon-hole us because we’re more varied than a singular pursuit. (Well, at least most of us are. Some people are pretty obsessive about one thing.)

Those interests make for great metaphors and analogies.

For instance, I have a friend who is really into boxing and mixed martial arts. His go-to metaphors are all about those subjects, and when he makes a comparison, it’ll be to those sports.

If he were a writer, this would be a calling-card.

You might be thinking, “That would be rubbish!” But don’t tell me you wouldn’t click on a headline like the following:

This Grandmother Put Down Five Thugs Quicker Than A Prime Mike Tyson. Watch The Video Here!

4. Experiences

In a similar vein, you’re going to be the only person who has the same mixture of experiences that you do. You don’t have to be an explorer or an adventurer for this to be powerful writing tool either.

• Where have you been?
• What are some things you’ve done?
• What are some challenges you’ve faced?
• Who are the interesting people you’ve met?

The last one is especially interesting, because it’s a recurring motif throughout everything from sales pieces to world mythology. Even if you’re as boring as I am, you’ve met some weird people. Loads of great stories begin with, “I met this guy…”

5. Language

Finally, nobody is going to use the language you use. It’s something that’s a hallmark of being human (as opposed to a spun article.) Even if someone were paid to mimic your vocabulary and we assume that both yours and their grammar are correct, your phrasing will be different. Your word choice isn’t fixed. The things above play into your writing more deeply than you’ll consciously comprehend. Language is the writing tool, and you’re a craftsman even if you don’t know it.

Alright, I’ve Read Your Article: What’s The One Writing Tool That Everyone Overlooks?

The writing tool that everyone overlooks is your personal storytelling ability. I’m not talking about the “Write me a story” type of storytelling. I’m talking about the voice inside you that comes out when you’re on the phone to your mother and you’re trying to tell her how ridiculous it was when a pigeon attacked a drunk guy at the bus stop earlier in the day.

All of the above points play into building that natural storytelling ability.

Your natural ability to tell a story is woven into your ability to write a novel. It’s woven into your ability to write a sales letter or convince a friend to join you at the bar later. It’s a writing tool that people don’t think of as a writing tool because it’s so intuitive.