Mastering the Art of Writing That Gets Noticed with Estelle Erasmus
ALIZA LICHT
Founder of Leave Your Mark, helping businesses and individuals build powerful brands | Award-winning marketer, 2x bestselling author, speaker and podcaster | Personal branding expert as seen on GMA, in HBR, and more.
In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I welcome esteemed writer and professor Estelle Erasmus. Together, we delve into actionable tips for creating writing that stands out and resonates with readers. Estelle shares insights from her book, 'Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published,' and her extensive career in public relations and editorial roles, offering practical advice for pitching to editors and finding one’s unique voice. You’ll also learn about the importance of crafting compelling titles, starting stories in the middle, and using specific, evocative language to paint vivid pictures. Additionally, Estelle emphasizes continuous learning and maintaining a beginner’s mindset to excel in the writing field.
A few takeaways from Estelle on finding your voice:
Embrace Your Authentic Self: Estelle emphasizes the importance of infusing personal experiences and unique perspectives into your writing. Sharing deeply personal stories not only adds depth but also creates a connection with the reader. For instance, Estelle’s own experience with hearing impairment and the discovery of captioning on TV serves as a compelling narrative that underscores this point.
Start in the Middle: Often, writers get bogged down trying to set the scene. Estelle advises cutting the first two paragraphs of your initial draft to start in the middle of the action, ensuring your story is grabby from the get-go.
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Estelle's advice on the art of the pitch:
Be Precise: Vague pitches are a major faux pas. When pitching, spell out exactly what your story entails and why it matters. The use of words like “explore” and “delve into” can scare editors off—clarity is key.
Compelling Subject Lines and Hooks: Your email's subject line is prime real estate. Make it engaging to grab an editor’s attention immediately. The pitch should also begin with an engaging anecdote or first paragraph that could stand alone as part of the article, showcasing your writing style instantly.
Author, Writing That Gets Noticed (NWL), NYU Adjunct Writing Professor. Contributing Editor, Writer's Digest. Host, Freelance Writing Direct Podcast. WMG, ASJA, ASME, Author's Guild
6 个月Thank you so much for your probing and thoughtful questions. Loved our chat!
Managing Director, CEO, Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Advisor
6 个月Advice that everyone can benefit from (especially here on LinkedIn.) Thanks for sharing, ALIZA!
Host, Fashion & Beauty Enthusiast, Creative Consultant, Writer
6 个月You're always dropping gems, Aliza. Super grateful!
Award winning entrepreneur, Inc. Female Founder 100, recovering lawyer, & 4x girl mom. I work with professional women to build authority-based personal brands & thought leadership skills.
6 个月So appreciate the insights on pitching here - as it is such an important part of the writing process and we often don’t include it in this discussion. Felt like a masterclass!!!
Financial Wellness Speaker + Workshop Leader, Author, Brand Spokesperson
6 个月Such a fan of both ALIZA LICHT and Estelle Erasmus.. this is so great. thank you for sharing.