My Evolving Writing Style

And a change in my post format...

Hey friends,

Greetings from Ashoka University, India!

Write of Passage started on Monday! That means 5 weeks on intense writing, creative outbursts and no sleep for me!

Write of Passage is a 5-week, online cohort based course that teaches you how to use writing to share your work, refine your ideas, connect with others and get more opportunities. It is the motivation behind this newsletter and much of what I do on the internet.

So for the next 5 weeks, my publishing cadence will adapt to fit the course. Regardless, you will be hearing from me at least once a week.

Also, I’m tweaking the post format. Let me know what you think!

Here's the links I want to share this week:

• Writing and editing should be separate activities.: How the comedian Jerry Seinfeld writes.

• Write CLEAR Sentences: A short yet crisp article on improving your writing.

• The Pathless Path: Feeling stuck in life? This is an interesting take on how to approach your career…

---

It has been over two years since I’ve seriously taken to writing. Reflecting on my journey, it is curious to see how my writing has changed throughout the years. 

When I started, I was under the impression that I had an evocative writing style. But looking back, my prose was replete with many stylistic no-nos. I fully believe now that the best way to improve your craft is by putting in the reps. Deliberate practice is the way to go.

I also noticed that my writing varies depending on the context I’m in. For example, many of my newsletter issues are updates on my work. So I take on a more “telling” style; I document as opposed to creatively painting with words. But when I’m writing about, say, my adventures in the wild, my prose assumes a more flowery, lucid style. I try to have themes and messages sit underneath the writing. Emotions that are conveyed in-between the lines. 

Some maxims that have greatly aided my writing journey are:-

• Real writing is re-writing: I cannot stress this enough. Evocative pieces come out of those that are continually worked upon. Shitty first drafts and be transformed by the magic of editing. 

• Show, don’t tell: This one is crucial when narrating experiences. It is very easy to tell the reader what happened. But showing it makes for a better reading experience. This quote best summarises this maxim:

Anton Chekhov said, “Don’t tell me the moon is shining. Show me the glint of light on broken glass."

• Remove adverbs: Adverbs often present the opportunity to use stronger verbs. Instead of “ he walked confidently”, you could say “he swaggered”. Think about it.

• Vocal variety: Mix up your sentence length. Write short sentences. Consider adding some medium-length sentences. And when you are certain you’re in the grips of your reader’s attention, throw in a sentence that sprawls pages and is yet heavy with meaning and wisdom. Trust me. It works.

Note: These are mere guidelines to keep in mind. 

I still make many grammatical errors. I still look back at phrases and think, “I could have worded that better”. I am still a work in progress. The belief that my best work (be that writing, art or photography) is ahead of me keeps me moving forward.

I wonder, how will my writing evolve in the future? Will I take on a more metaphorical approach, or will I delve more into an observational tone? Or both? When and where?

Postcard

One of my larger artworks I made a couple months ago. I’ve kept some pens beside it to give a sense of scale…

Favourite Quote

“In reality every reader is, while he is reading, the reader of his own self. The writer's work is merely a kind of optical instrument which he offers to the reader to enable him to discern what, without this book, he would perhaps never have perceived in himself.” - Marcel Proust

Have a creative, energetic and inspiring week!

If you’re new, welcome to The Owlet! My name is Ishan Shanavas, and I am an Artist, Photographer, Writer and Student of the Natural World.

Here I talk about my work, along with curating the most interesting ideas on the internet. I confine them to topics like Nature, Culture, Photography, and Art but often fall prey to other genres.

I would greatly appreciate it if you shared my newsletter and work with your friends. It really helps me out :)