Writing Through Realism, Innovating vs Imitating, How To Write a Hook & More

Hello Doctors and Writers!

Welcome to the 20th edition of the newsletter.

This week, let’s focus on writing with realism, crafting sentences that genuinely stand out, and keeping your audience eager for more.

Today at a Glance:

Question: Are You Innovating or Imitating?

Quote: On Discovery and Belief

Framework: Writing Through Realism

Idea: Write About Everything

Video: How To Write a Hook

Question: Are You Innovating or Imitating?

It's easier than ever to tell which pieces of writing are original and which are borrowed.

Now, there's no shame in emulating the work of those that inspire you. Most writers do. However, there's a fine line between inspiration and imitation, and if your words read like they could've been written by anyone else, then you’re probably missing the mark.

This week ask yourself:

Does my writing innovate or imitate?

Would someone who knows me be able to tell it's my writing?

Do my sentences sound as I would naturally speak?

A good way to practice is by using an app like Vnote to voice what's on your mind or opening up a blank page and writing an essay without the stress of publishing or perfection.

What you'll see by the end is your natural voice.

Keep this in mind as the focal point of everything you write.

Quote: On Discovery and Belief

The lesson: Writing is far more than just a tool for communication or a means of documenting your thoughts. It's the act of shaping raw, unexplored ideas and connecting them in ways others have never thought about before in a clear and meaningful way. Many times, as we sit down to write, our perspectives shift. That’s one of the many parts of what makes writing special. Because as you write, you're forced to think about what you truly believe and what you're ready to put into words. Remember, great writing always borders on uncertainty and our willingness to discover the unknown.

Framework: Writing Through Realism

One of the fundamental pillars of good writing is realism.

It strips away the excess and makes the books we love and the content we write clear and impactful.

The essence of realism is simple: rather than using assumptions or generic phrasing as crutches, we instead do the heavy lifting through facts, actions, and dialogue. Then, we leave gaps to allow the readers to fill in their own interpretations.

Here's how it works:

1. Use Facts With Detail

Facts are the anchor of your piece because it gives your readers something tangible to ground your idea with. So rather than leaning on abstract words, describe physical states or the environment in depth.

Instead of: "He was extremely nervous."

Write: "His hands trembled as he picked up the paper, and just as he lifted it, a droplet of sweat hit the corner of the page."

Readers can picture a situation better through emotions and actions. Most importantly, it makes the scene memorable and immersive.

2. Let Dialogue Do The Talking

When you speak, you aren't just conveying information. You're also revealing your thoughts and feelings whilst voicing the relationship with your listener. Similarly, you can replicate the same principle with your writing to make it stand out.

Instead of: "He was upset about the news."

Write: "How couldn't you tell me?" he said in a low but sharp voice. "How long were you going to keep this a secret?"

Good dialogue adds tension to the context. Your readers should be able to hear an emotion without you having to spell it out.

3. Limit The Details

Now, when you write online, don’t overcomplicate this framework. You need to use dialogue and facts subtly whilst leaving enough gaps for your readers to depict the core idea of your work.

Instead of: "The small, cluttered clinic was dimly lit by a flickering fluorescent bulb that cast long shadows on the cracked tile floor.”

Write: "When I worked nights at the orthopedic clinic, my ward was constantly dim with papers scattered across my desk."

Let your readers build a world with your words.

If you want to make your writing real, find the balance between painting a clear picture whilst also leaving enough room for imagination.

Idea: Write About Everything

There's no secret formula to becoming a better writer.

In part, it's about learning the right techniques, from the right people, and practicing the craft without the expectation of results.

However, your most important role as a writer is to articulate what you see and experience. That's it.

Instead of rushing through the process, take some time to observe everything around you. Distance yourself from the obvious and take notes on what you see, hear, and feel. It could be about how your town lights up during the Christmas season, or even a childhood memory that's stuck with you for decades.

It's less important about whether what you write will resonate with an audience or get you to the outcomes you're searching for.

It's more important to be as true to yourself as possible and allow others to experience the world in how you uniquely do.

Video: How To Write a Hook

The hook is arguably one of the most important components of your writing.

An effective hook can make the difference between a reader quickly scrolling past or reading all the way until the final line, regardless of whether it's an email, a tweet, or a LinkedIn post. This week’s video is a phenomenal breakdown by Abbie Emmons where she discusses the best practices for creating an effective and magnetic hook. Enjoy!

Alright, that's all for this week.

Thank you for reading this week’s newsletter.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, hit reply on this email.

We’re always here to help.

— Adi and Pranav

P.S. If you’d like some additional material on writing better, check out my essay from last week on the most important lessons I’ve learned after two and a half years of writing online.