February 14, 2008

How to Write Intelligently from the Heart

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:57 am

From the Heart

Words tell us how to . . . how to be beautiful, how to fall in love, how to make money by working online. Words try to move us to be happier, be greener, be more active in someone’s cause. Words us connect with each other. Words appraise us, explain us, and help us describe who we are. Words are how we find out what we need to know.

Yet there are far more words to read than there is time.

We can think and write. We can craft our sentences to be clever. We can make sure that each part is factually, structurally, gramatically correct. But clever and accurate only go so far in satisfying readers. If we want our writing to resonate long after, our words need to come from the heart.

How to Write Intelligently from the Heart

Intelligent heartfelt writing is respectful. It serves minds and hearts. It strikes a balance of logical thinking in the context of meaningful words. Here are some tips on how to bring together the best of your head and your heart when you write.

  • Know you want to say Distill your message down to one sentence.
  • Decide why you care about it. If you don’t care about what you’re saying, why should I?
  • Use simple words to describe your experience or argument. Choose words that you would actually say.
  • Write for an audience you respect and care about. Love your dissenters and detractors. Doing so will give your writing life and depth.
  • Write the whole piece entirely before you edit. A message from the heart still being formed won’t survive the scrutiny of a brain.
  • Revise it twice. Read once for logic and sense of what you’re saying. Read a second time — this time aloud — for the tone, voice, and words you’re using to say it.
  • Be willing to put yourself into what you write. Be authentically you. Show us what you see.

Writers who capture our attention share the experience of who they are. They connect with our minds and with our hearts. Great writers blend information, thoughts, and opinions with a light touch of humanity. It’s the in the humanity that we see ourselves. Head and heart together in writing for love, for business, for education, for any purpose make meaning in a way that intelligent words alone cannot.

Heart on the water


It’s the heart of light in this photo that makes this one sunset unforgettable.

How do you recognize someone who writes with heart?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
If you think Liz can help with a problem you’re having with your writing, check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.

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30 Comments to “How to Write Intelligently from the Heart”

  1. February 14th, 2008 at 7:16 am
    Karin H. said

    How do you recognize someone who writes with heart?

    Passion, passion and passion!
    Passion for the message, passion for the words but mostly passion for the reader (user, client, friend, family, neighbour etc - fill in the most appropriate for yourself).

    Passion makes the words come to life, alight even. Passion can’t be faked, it comes from really deep in the heart. Yeah, passion!

    (And that on Valentine’s day ;-))

    Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

  2. February 14th, 2008 at 7:20 am
    Joanna Young said

    I like the emphasis on respect Liz, even though that wouldn’t be an immediate association with ‘heart’.

    I don’t think I can really add to this lovely piece, but if there was one word I’d like to add I think I’d choose… kindness.

    Joanna

    PS Happy Valentine’s Day to a wonderful friend who’s warmed my heart so many times

  3. February 14th, 2008 at 7:27 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Karin!
    Happy Valentine’s Day!
    I agree passion for what we’re writing can’t be manufactured. Either it’s authentic or it’s not.

  4. February 14th, 2008 at 7:31 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Joanna!
    Happy Valentine’s day to you.

    Kindness and care are in everything you write. :)

  5. February 14th, 2008 at 7:36 am
    Karin H. said

    Hi Liz (good afternoon Joanna)

    Your article made me smile because at the moment I’m writing for and about my passion: wood flooring and customer service - we’re in the process of revamping our websites (once again - an ongoing project I’m passionate about).

    Writing from the heart and with kindness, thanks Joanna, makes the whole ‘task’ much easier to continue and to complete.

    Karin H.

  6. February 14th, 2008 at 8:05 am
    Tim Singleton said

    As always, Liz, your posts make me think about the human side, the emotional side, of communicating with my readers.

    Happy Valentine’s Day to a good friend.

    Tim

  7. February 14th, 2008 at 9:16 am
    amypalko said

    Authenticity is how I discern writing from the heart. It is absolutely key in my own writing and it’s what I look for in the writing of others. Words which were penned hundreds of years ago still call to their readers’ experience of life, love, etc. because they express universal truths, and they do this by being authentic. They establish relationships which span the distance between space and time. They resonate with our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. They seep into our souls and remain just below the surface of our consciousness for a lifetime. Writing from the heart is truly one of the most powerful forces known to humanity.

  8. February 14th, 2008 at 9:35 am
    Writing From the Heart said

    [...] How do you get there? Well, practice is certainly part of it. Liz Strauss, creator of Successful Blog has a post today called: How to Write Intelligently from the Heart [...]

  9. February 14th, 2008 at 9:38 am
    Anne Wayman said

    Liz, when it’s from the heart I feel it in my gut, and my internal editor turns off and let’s me just enjoy.

    Thanks… great post

  10. February 14th, 2008 at 10:26 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Karin!
    I agree — putting a little heart, kindness, and passion into what I write not only makes it more fun, it makes me feel better about what I write and better about me.

  11. February 14th, 2008 at 10:26 am
    Mother Earth said

    me too — i feel it when it’s from the heart - no other way to describe it - and it’s so true about writing it, i empty it from my soul first and then revise just like you said, practically ( yes all those words are spelled backwards ) and then finally I make sure my intention is expressed, you’re brilliant and always so heartful Liz, and a wonderful example to so many of us - happy heart day!!

    Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
    http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com

  12. February 14th, 2008 at 10:31 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Tim!
    Happy Valentine’s Day!
    Thank you for coming over to say that here. :)

  13. February 14th, 2008 at 10:40 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Amy,
    “Just say what’s in your heart.” is advice I’ve often given. When we open our hearts, we’re powerfully strong, despite our vulnerability. People hear, as you say “resonate” with, the sound of life beating behind our thoughts and our words. We can’t argue with the truth in a person’s heart said plainly.

  14. February 14th, 2008 at 10:46 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Anne!
    I know exactly what you mean. When it’s from the heart, it’s good and you just know it is. :)

    The truth is the truth. :)

  15. February 14th, 2008 at 10:51 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Mother Earth,
    I had no idea I was going to write this today. Go figure. :)

    It seemed like the right thing, though, once I got started. :)

  16. February 14th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
    Lin said

    Happy V-Day Liz!

    I have found it interesting that my subscribed readers also enjoy and comment on “authority” posts mainly targeted for search engine traffic.

    I personally believe that if you put your heart and soul into whatever you write about, regardless of who the intended reader is, it resonates throughout the post and people connect better with you since they’re able to get a clear idea of exactly who you are as the writer.

  17. February 14th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
    Mother Earth said

    i had this niggle to write about valentines day gone by and did end up going there - something i never told anyone before - I think that it’s wonderful as a writer to follow our instincts - yours were indeed good today

    http://bestwellnessconsultant.com/2008/02/14/the-valentines-day-gone-by-love-cruel-karen-hanrahan-best-of-mother-earth.aspx

  18. February 14th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Lin!
    Though, I don’t write for search engines, ever, I understand what you’re saying about being so involved with what you’re writing that your energy and personality shine through. People connect with the personal. Yeah we do.

  19. February 14th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi MotherEarth!
    You did well to follow your instincts too. Thank you for bringing a valentine to share. :)

  20. February 14th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
    Suzie Cheel said

    Great post Liz and so timely.
    I generally write from the heart and it flows,sometimes too much stream of consciousness, which Des then reins in.

    Love the sunset

  21. February 14th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Suzie!
    Yeah, you write with an inspired heart, the same one you live an inspired life with. :)

  22. February 14th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
    Terry Finley said

    Show us what you see—I like that part.

  23. February 14th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Oh Terry!
    It’s so fun when someone comes along and chooses to point out the one sentence I like the best too. :)

  24. February 14th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
    Todd Jordan said

    Happy Valentine’s Day Liz.

    Yes, passion is where it’s at. Love the reminders about all facets of this topic though. Good list.

  25. February 16th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
    Tim B. said

    Love your post. When you read something that was written with passion it connects to you and creates an emotional response that is sometimes unexpected.

    Thanks for the inspiration.

  26. February 16th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Todd!
    How did I miss your Valentine? I’m sorry. Happy Valentine’s day to you forever!! :)

  27. February 16th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Tim!
    Welcome and thank you!
    I agree. Great writing from the heart always moves me just the way you describe. And passion for the words and ideas is always at the heart. :)

  28. February 18th, 2008 at 12:27 am
    Col from gigablonde said

    Wow, wow, Liz! I love how you write and what you say!

    Here’s my answer: You know it when it makes your heart smile.

    Actually, your Liz Manifesto moved me in exactly that way … you sorta just feel it … you just “know” it or recognize it on some intuitive level.

    I’m designing a web site, Inspiration Java, for a woman named Cheryl and she just wrote the most beautiful, welcoming intro for the home page … it’s just one of those “from the heart” things … see it here: http://www.inspirationjava.com.

    See what I mean? :)

    Hugs,
    Col

  29. February 18th, 2008 at 7:32 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Col!
    Welcome and thank you!

    A smiling heart is a sure sign indeed! I know exactly what you mean. :)

    Thanks for the link. Yep, that’s a good one.

  30. June 11th, 2008 at 11:10 am
    My #1 Tip Plus 25+ Unique Blogging Voice Resources - Day 4 of 7 Days To Making Your Blog Blossom » Personal Edge Insights - Barbara Ling said

    [...] How to Write Intelligently from the Heart [...]

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