Dr. Mehmet Yildiz’s Post

Useful tips for writers

Have you ever regretted not editing your work more thoroughly? Hey, fellow writers! Have you ever poured your heart and soul into a piece of writing, only to have it fall flat with your audience? I know I have! Meet Sarah, a talented author who spent years crafting her debut novel. She was thrilled to finally share it with the world—until the reviews started rolling in. “Confusing plot twists.” “Typos and grammatical errors.” “Hard to follow.” Ouch! Sarah was devastated. She had missed the chance to make a lasting impression on her readers. And it was all because she had skipped one crucial step: professional editing. As a book editor and writer, I've seen it time and time again. We writers are so close to our work that we can't see the forest for the trees. We assume that a quick proofread is enough (guilty as charged!). But the truth is, a professional editor is not just a “nice-to-have,” but a “must-have” for any writer serious about their craft. So, what can a professional editor do for you? - Clarify your message and structure (because who doesn't love a good map?). - Enhance your writing style and tone (think of it as a makeover for your words!). - Catch those pesky errors and inconsistencies (because typos happen to the best of us!). - Help you connect with your audience (the ultimate goal, right?). Don't let your hard work go to waste. Don't let errors and confusion get in the way of your message. Take the time to invest in a professional editor. Your writing and your readers will thank you! Share your experiences in the comments below! And if you're a writer looking for a professional editor, let's connect and discuss how I can help you shine!

Posting daily is easy for writers; that's what most people think. & the writers who can't post regularly start to feel guilty about themselves, right? Let me tell you something: ❗Posting random content is easy yet posting STRATEGICALLY that drives a specific ACTION is difficult even for writers. 👉 Yes, we can easily share our stories, tips & tricks, and lots of stuff about our routine. But posting content that captures the ATTENTION of our target audience is a hard nut to crack. Because the latter requires ➡️ In-depth research ➡️ Careful selection of words ➡️ Writing- editing- refining until it is crystal clear & doing so takes time + mindful brainstorming which is not easy. & that's why we procrastinate to write, you me, and all the other writers. P. S. What's your favorite niche?

Most writers (myself included), spend a lifetime trying to craft a single perfect sentence. We write junk, after junk, discard 99% of the words and thoughts in the hope that we can create something that will outlive us. Whether it is the perfect joke, the perfect observation, the perfect comment on what it means to be human... we are in pursuit of that one perfect set of words, that we assembled in the right order, that stands the test of time. This is what "content" people don't understand. This is what tech bros, and the AI/LLM people who think it does "writing" don't understand. We don't write to blend in and create a dull word arrangement based on probabilities. We seek to do the opposite. They will never, ever understand the anguish, the ruminating, the reading, the process that goes into creating a sentence that stands out amongst so many - a sentence good enough to elicit a tear, prompt an epiphany, or provoke a shiver at its profundity. They will never know the high of crafting great word arrangements that resonate with people. Or, the lows of writing what you think is the perfect word arrangement, to find nobody - at least right now, while you're alive - sees it. Or, the perplexity at writing what you think is a terrible and sloppy word arrangement and people thinking it's great. That's the roughest and weirdest one. What the "content" people create is junk, to sell junk, to people who don't want to hear words of importance. The word arrangements are a means, not an end. "Content" people manipulate readers into doing something we might not ordinarily do, or into wanting something we might not ordinarily want. Content people are transactional thinkers and see you, the reader as a mark. Writers are relational. There is no other agenda. Writers don't need to manipulate. Writers inspire, persuade - and it is the words, the sentence that, if we are lucky, has our name to it, that is perfectly crafted to get you to repeat it to someone else, that stands on its own. I don't know if I got any good sentences here, but that's okay. 99% of my stuff is junk. But, I hope you like them. Oh and like, subscribe and become a Patron if you want.

It is always a pleasure to read the #editing-related musings of Benjamin Dreyer, author of 𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑟'𝑠 𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ and the retired copy chief and managing editor of Random House. His Substack post today is "10 Additional Stray Copyeditorial Thoughts," and I agree with most of those thoughts. https://lnkd.in/eFHcepmm Thought #3 (with which I agree) is this: "Good writers, I believe, appreciate being well #copyedited, accent on 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 and 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙. Less adept writers may view a copy editor’s suggestions and alterations as an affront to their talent and will balk at almost everything you say, often increasingly angrily." For newish editors, I offer this advice on how to decrease authors' angst at being edited: Word your queries and comments on their manuscript respectfully, making it evident that you consider them intelligent and hardworking. Do not condescend to them or merely recite grammar rules to them or preach to them. When you see something praiseworthy in their writing, do make sure to mention it. Act like a human, not like a censor or editorial automaton.

Editors: Passive voice is evil! Delete it, begone! Active voice only.  Writers: Umm, sometimes it's okay, right? A lot of editors tell writers to change active voice to passive voice. In most cases, they're right. However, passive voice isn't necessarily "evil" or "terrible" for all writing. It depends on the intended meaning of the sentence, your style, and the genre of writing. Editors should ask themselves this crucial question when editing a sentence for passive voice: 🗝️ What does the sentence emphasize? If the focus is on the result of the action, or the object of the action, passive voice is acceptable and grammatically correct. ✅ The leaves WERE RAKED so the guests could walk on the sidewalk. If the emphasis is on the subject doing the action, edit to be active voice. ❌ The leaves WERE RAKED in my backyard. This sentence would sound a lot stronger in active voice. ✅ I raked the leaves in my backyard. That's it! It's that simple. If you're unsure whether or not it's okay to leave a sentence in passive voice, ask the author. They'll be able to give you a direct answer on what they want the sentence to mean for the overall message or argument. Have you found instances of passive voice in your writing and had to change it? I know I have. 😅

What’s the hardest part for you as a writer? Writing is often romanticized as a seamless flow of inspiration, but every writer knows it’s far from that. It’s a journey of persistence, creativity, and discipline. Yet, no matter how skilled or experienced you are, challenges remain an inevitable part of the process. For me, one of the hardest parts is starting. That blank page feels like an overwhelming canvas, demanding perfection from the first word. Even when the ideas are there, translating them into cohesive thoughts can be a formidable challenge. Other writers might find their struggle lies in maintaining consistency. Writing isn’t just about producing words; it’s about crafting engaging, valuable, and error-free content, day after day. Balancing quality with deadlines? That’s no small feat. Then there’s self-doubt: the persistent voice questioning whether your work is good enough. Whether you’re penning an SEO article, drafting a research paper, or creating an ad copy, imposter syndrome has a way of sneaking in. But here’s the thing: challenges don’t mean failure; they’re part of the process. Over time, I’ve found ways to work through them: For starting: I remind myself that the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to exist. For consistency: I try to stick to a schedule, and also stay organized. For self-doubt: I focus on feedback, recognizing that every piece of writing is an opportunity to grow. Now, I want to hear from you: What’s the hardest part of writing for you? Is it finding the time, staying motivated, or something entirely different? Let’s start a conversation;because every writer faces their own challenges, and we all have strategies that could help someone else. Drop your thoughts in the comments; I’d love to learn from your experiences!

As a Creative writer!!!Stay True to Your Craft: A Call to Authenticity for Creative Writers.As creative writers, we are often tempted to compromise our artistic vision in pursuit of fame, fortune, or fleeting trends. However, it is crucial to remember that our unique voice and perspective are the very essence of our craft. Staying true to our artistic vision requires courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our values. When we sacrifice our authenticity for external validation, we risk losing the very essence that makes our writing meaningful.The pressure to conform can be overwhelming, especially in today's fast-paced digital landscape. Social media platforms bombard us with success stories of bestselling authors and viral sensations, making it easy to feel like our work isn't good enough. But the truth is, comparison is the thief of joy. Instead of measuring our success against others, we should focus on honing our craft, experimenting with innovative ideas, and pushing the boundaries of storytelling.Authenticity is what sets truly great writers apart from the rest. Think of literary icons like Toni Morrison, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, or James Baldwin – their writing was unapologetically raw, honest, and reflective of their unique experiences. They didn't chase trends or try to fit into mold; they forged their own paths and left an indelible mark on literature. As writers, we must strive to do the same, embracing our quirks and flaws as the very fabric that makes our writing relatable and impactful.Staying true to our craft also means being mindful of our motivations. Are we writing to impress critics, or to tell stories that need to be told? Are we driven by a desire for fame, or a passion for exploring the human condition? When our motivations are pure, our writing becomes a reflection of our soul. We must stay grounded in our why, even when the world around us seems to value commercial success over artistic integrity.In conclusion, staying true to our craft as creative writers requires unwavering dedication, courage, and resilience. By embracing our authenticity, we not only produce meaningful work but also leave a lasting legacy. So, let us resist the temptation to conform and instead forge our own paths, telling stories that only we can tell. For it is in this brave, uncharted territory that we will discover our true potential as writers and leave an indelible mark on the literary world.AYOMIDE ✍️

Can we be truly original in our creative writing? Generally, no, says Lajos Egri, author of The Art of Creative Writing. "In the arts, there are originators of new slants, new approaches, new surprising twists, but very few artists ever bring forth such original creations as Einstein's relativity. Originality, like genius, is rare." But if true originality is rare, what can a writer strive for in their writing? Characterization, Egri says.. "Living, vibrating human beings are still the secret and magic formula of great and enduring writing." Read and study the work of famous writers, and you will find that "Their unusual penetration into human character is what has kept their work fresh and alive through centuries." It's not because they took a new slant or approach. Suggestion: Creative writing techniques can often be used in the storytelling aspects of content marketing and content writing. I'll discuss my view of why and how in a future post. Curated by Dennis Mellersh, Thought Leadership Content Writer and Journalist. #ContentWriting #Storytelling #Originality #CreativeWriting