In our post-COVID, digital-driven world, we have learned to isolate ourselves. But at the same time, we can spend hours every day making social connections on our cellphones and other electronic devices. By nature, we are social animals, and we crave personal connections.
Readers want our words to feel as if they are meant for them, that we understand their struggles, dreams, and emotions. Whether we’re writing a novel, a blog, or a nonfiction book, making our writing personal is key to engaging our audience.
No Time to Be Modest
Writers sometimes fall into the trap of sounding impersonal, as if they are reporting news and everybody should be interested. But today, that’s not the way it works. Detached, overly formal writing might work for assembly instructions, but it isn’t the best choice for storytelling and communicating life-changing truths.
Since the Internet makes information immediately available on request, readers have little interest in surveys, statistics, or advice they’ve heard before. The one thing they cannot get anywhere else is what’s happening with you, how you feel and why, and how your experiences and wisdom might help them.
Why Personal Writing Matters
In an automated world with artificially produced mass communication, people often feel like messages are for people in general and for no one in particular. The information has the generic information of a flier or brochure when they’d rather have the emotional depth of a personal, handwritten letter.
What breaks through the noise? Authenticity. Readers engage with writing that feels like it was written by a real person who understands them. Whether you’re writing a blog, a speech, or a novel, if your writing says you care, they will be more likely to invest time to read your work.
Impersonal Versus Personal Writing
You want to speak directly to the reader rather than write in a detached, objective tone.
Impersonal Example: A strong mindset is important when facing difficulties. Resilience is necessary to overcome obstacles in life.
Personal Example: When you face challenges, your mindset can make all the difference. If you can develop resilience, you’ll find it easier to push through life’s hardest moments.
Why is the personal example better? It speaks directly to the reader with “you” and acknowledges “their” struggles instead of making a general statement.
Impersonal Example: The character felt sad when she lost the race. It was a disappointing moment.
Personal Example: Emma’s chest tightened as she watched the winner celebrate. The cheers felt like echoes in the distance. She had trained for this moment, but now all she could hear was the pounding of her own heart.
The second example takes readers into the character’s experience rather than simply stating her emotion.
Ways to make your writing more personal:
- Use Direct Address: Speak to your reader by using “you” or “we.”
- Share Personal Experiences: Include true-to-life anecdotes, vignettes, or stories.
- Engage the Senses: Instead of stating emotions, describe actions, body language, and dialogue.
- Write Like You Talk: Avoid formal or classic literary language like we learned in school. A more conversational tone fosters connection.
With a few keystrokes or a voice command, people get answers to just about anything they want to know. They need connection more than they need information they could have as easily gotten on their own. Make your message conversational, not like a lecture, and readers will keep coming back for more.
For a practical guide to storytelling, check out Storytelling at Its Best
