The Power of Storytelling, Shift From “How To” to “How I”, Writing Lessons From a TV Classic & More

Reading time: 4 minutes

Ciao Doctors and Writers,

Here are 5 ideas to help you become a better writer this week.

Today at a glance:

Question: Making writing a habit

Quote: On the power of storytelling

Framework: Shift from “How to” to “How I”

Idea: Read like a writer, write like a reader

Video: Writing lessons from a TV classic

Question: Making writing a habit

James Clear, the author of the best-seller Atomic Habits, famously once said, "Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement." 

To improve your writing, things are no different.

Making it a habit is a fundamental pillar to seeing results.

So, this week, take some time to reflect on:

• Your current writing routine

• Your daily approximate word count

• Your publishing system on social media 

Then ask yourself:

• What’s the smallest step you can take this week to write and publish more frequently and consistently?

It doesn’t matter what your starting point is.

Don’t overwhelm yourself and keep your inputs simple.

For instance, you could write for 15 minutes before bed daily, and set a goal to publish your best piece this Saturday. The key is to create a routine that works for you and make writing a natural part of your day.

Quote on the power of storytelling

The lesson: You carry untold stories that have the potential to change the way others think, act, and feel. Whether or not you realize it, your unique experiences are your greatest asset — don’t let them go unheard.

Framework: Shift from “How to” to “How I” 

Too often, new and experienced writers fall into the trap of writing detailed, elaborate step-by-step guides - better recognized as “how to” posts. 

When executed with the right style and frequency, these posts are a great way to deliver value. But, when overdone, this writing style resembles an instructional manual rather than a conversation with one's audience.

Here’s a quick secret: The most powerful content you can create is not about what you know; it’s about what you’ve lived.

Instead of telling your audience what to do, show them how you’ve done it.

They want to learn from someone who has been where they are, someone who is experiencing what they are experiencing, not someone who can solely merge facts they’ve learned from someone else.

To get started, test out this framework:

1. Start with your story:

Think back to who you were a few years, months, or even days ago. What were the struggles you faced? What kind of advice made a difference to you back then? With this in mind, write as if you’re speaking to that exact version of yourself.

2. Share now, think later

Don’t wait until your story feels “perfect” to share it. If you find something useful today - be it a new technique, perspective shift, or mistake made - write about it tomorrow. The immediacy of your experience adds to your authenticity. 

3. Be a guide, not a guru

You aren’t an expert who knows it all. Nobody is. So, instead of another abstract “how-to” piece, give your audience something that resembles “here’s what I did, here’s what happened, here’s what I learned, and here’s what I would do differently.”

Idea: Read like a writer, write like a reader

The single best way to sharpen your writing skills is by reading. 

Not just genres you’re familiar with, but also those that force you to think differently.

Not just to skim to collect information, but to read with purpose and intention. 

Why does this matter? 

Reading widely helps you pick up the mechanics of great writing; creating tension, simplifying complex ideas, and crafting sentences that leave your readers guessing. 

These aren’t skills that manifest themselves overnight, and they sure don’t happen if you are a passive reader.

Instead, read like a writer. 

Keep a pencil handy at all times and a simple note-taking system to supplement the ideas that run through your mind. 

Whenever something resonates, pause and ask yourself why. Highlight these insights, take notes, and break them down into your own words on what made them effective.

And the next time you write, glance through your notes and put them into practice with your words.

Video: Writing lessons from a TV classic 

Inspiration with writing takes many forms.

So, this week, we wanted to share a video that gives you an insight into the writing process behind one of the greatest television shows of all time (and a personal favorite of ours): The Wire.

If you haven’t seen the show before, this video contains spoilers so we’d suggest saving it for later. 

Alright, that’s all for this week’s newsletter.

If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions, just hit reply to this email — as always, we’d love to hear from you.

Have a lovely week ahead.

– Adi and Pranav

PS: The podcast is currently delayed but will be back very soon. Stick with us, we have loads to share with you in the next episode.