People read nonfiction to learn and to feel. My framework for ensuring blog posts achieve both is to start with a first draft that focuses on “novel” ideas.
A novel idea is not only new to the reader, but also significant and not easily noticeable. It is new and worthwhile. There are five categories of novelty:
Counter-intuitive – “Oh, I never realized the world worked this way.”
Counter-narrative – “Wow, I’ve never been told this about how the world works!”
Shock and Awe – "This is crazy. I can't believe it."
Elegant expression - "It couldn't be said better."
Make others feel the same way – “Yes! That’s exactly how I feel!”
Novelty is what keeps readers happy. By pursuing your curiosity and noticing what interests and surprises you find along the way, you’ll find novel ideas. If it appeals to you, it’s likely to appeal to your readers, too.
In draft two and beyond, I rewrite these novel ideas so iran mobile database that they resonate. Resonance is when the ideas take root in the minds of readers. It’s the art of capturing their imaginations and connecting to their life experiences so that they feel it.
When ideas are wrapped up in them, they resonate:
story
analogy
Example
Real sound
in other words:
Writing quality = novelty x resonance
This is my writing framework.
It starts with choosing a topic.