Spice up your content: Writing lessons from Frank Herbert's Dune series

I have always believed that great storytelling is the key to engaging with an audience. I am soon coming up with a book expanding on it. That said, I have something I have wanted to share for a long time given it is so close to my heart and my conscience growing up.

I.e., the “Dune” series by Frank Herbert

I delved into Frank Herbert's Dune series, I discovered that it's not just the world-building that makes it a masterpiece, but also the tone of the narrative. In this blog, I will share with you the lessons I learned about the tone of content writing from the original Dune 6 books, and how you can apply them to your own content writing.

Lesson 1: Use evocative language

"The spice must flow" - This iconic phrase from the Dune series demonstrates how Herbert used language to create a sense of urgency and importance. By using words like "must" and "flow", he evokes a sense of necessity and movement that keeps readers engaged. In content writing, evocative language can be used to create a sense of excitement or urgency around a product or service.

Lesson 2: Create complex characters

The characters in the Dune series are complex and multi-dimensional, with their own motivations and desires. This depth of characterisation creates empathy and investment from the reader, keeping them engaged throughout the series. In content writing, creating relatable characters in the form of case studies or customer testimonials can help to humanise a brand and connect with the target audience.

Lesson 3: Use foreshadowing

Throughout the Dune series, Herbert uses foreshadowing to create tension and anticipation. By dropping subtle hints about future events, he keeps the reader guessing and invested in the story. In content writing, foreshadowing can be used to build anticipation around a product launch or new feature, creating buzz and excitement among the target audience.

Lesson 4: Be bold

One of the most striking things about Herbert's writing is his willingness to take risks and push boundaries. From the complex world-building to the unique writing style, the Dune series is a bold and ambitious work. In content writing, taking risks and pushing boundaries can help to differentiate a brand from its competitors and create a strong brand identity.

Benefits for content writers

By incorporating the lessons from the Dune series into your content writing, you can create a more engaging and memorable experience for your target audience. Using evocative language, creating complex characters, using foreshadowing, and being bold can all help to make your content stand out and resonate with your audience.

Tips for content writers:

• Read widely and take inspiration from a variety of sources
• Experiment with different writing styles and techniques
• Don't be afraid to take risks and push boundaries
• Stay true to your brand's values and identity
• Focus on creating a narrative that engages and resonates with your target audience

Pros and cons for businesses and brands:

Pros:

• Engaging and memorable content can help to build brand awareness and loyalty
• Use of evocative language and foreshadowing can create excitement and anticipation around new products or services
• Creating complex characters can humanise a brand and make it more relatable to the target audience

Cons:

• Being too bold or experimental can alienate some members of the target audience
• Inappropriate use of evocative language or controversial content can damage brand reputation
• Creating complex characters or narratives can be time-consuming and resource-intensive

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

As Frank Herbert famously wrote, "Fear is the mind killer," but with the right tone in content writing, fear can be conquered and engagement can flourish. Dune may be set in a fictional world, but the lessons it imparts on content writing are very real. By immersing readers in a unique and imaginative world, content writers can captivate their audience and keep them hooked. Of course, not every business or brand can take a spice-filled approach to their content, but for those in the sci-fi and fantasy realm, Herbert's writing style is a treasure trove of inspiration. Remember though, the spice must flow, but so should the brand identity and target audience.