You don't need multiple novel ideas to start. Good ideas emerge in the process of writing:Choose a topicWrite your intro, and use it to brainstorm talking pointsGet feedback on your introCreate a starting outlineExplore talking points within your outlineRewrite for clarity, succinctness, and intrigueCycle between rewriting, resting, and receiving feedbackCopy edit for grammar, word choice, and flowThere are many good ways to tell a story. Be satisfied when you’ve found one that you'd want to read yourself.

Place gold coins along the path.– Roy Peter Clark

these two principles guarantee readers enjoy your writing:Have a captivating intro that buys goodwill.Have at least one peak of insight or surprise.Have an ending that satisfyingly justifies why the piece was worth reading.That’s it. There’s your formula for intriguing writing.

Step 4: Remove redundancyRe-read your article. Delete and re-order ideas as needed to remove unnecessary repetition.

Repeat the (1) word removal and (2) rephrasing from scratch process for every paragraph. When you’re done, your article will be a third as long and less boring.

Step 3: Rephrase paragraphs from scratchYour last step is to succinctly rephrase what remains. This means removing descriptions of things that aren't critical to your central point. Don't describe what doesn't need to be described.

Step 2: Remove unnecessary words

Step 1: Rewrite entire sectionsYou cut filler from your writing with a three-step process.For each section:Read all its paragraphs.Take an hour-long break.Rewrite the section from memory — focusing only on key points.

Takeaways for clear writingIf you write something unclear, you're writing for an audience of one: yourself. You might as well be writing in your diary.Instead, be clearer than you think is necessary. Use simple wording, use simple sentences, and provide examples. Simple language doesn't weaken your writing. It strengthens your points by helping what matters stand out.If you imagine you're writing for an audience of thirteen-year-olds, you'll deliberately think and write more clearly.

Here’s the full template so you don’t have to scroll for days to find it. But keep reading to see how to build each line:1. CHOOSE A TOPIC2. WHAT'S MY POINT OF VIEW ON SAID TOPIC?3. THE TITLE4. THE INTRODUCTION5. SECTION 1- What is this section about?- Why does it matter?- Research or Examples- Takeaways6. SECTION 2- What is this section about?- Why does it matter?- Research or Examples- Takeaways7. SECTION 3- What is this section about?- Why does it matter?- Research or Examples- Takeaways8. THE CONCLUSION