from Nicolas Cole 🚢👻 | by Nicolas Cole 🚢👻

I studied fiction writing in college. But I always tell people I didn't learn how to write in college. I learned how to read, and I learned the importance of reading my work out loud. Here's a mini-masterclass in what to HEAR in your own writing 🧵👇 t.co/zO04wjg7JV

1/ Listen for tone. As soon as the words start to come out of your mouth, you will feel what tone you were writing in. The big question is: was this tone your intention? If yes, you'll hear what gives this tone its quality. Do more of that. If no, you'll hear why not.

2/ Listen for wordiness. "And so it was then that..." Anytime you hear lots of tiny words next to hear other, you'll feel your mouth fumble over them. Don't ignore this. Cut them. Compress them. Your writing will be sharper.

3/ Listen for off-brand language. "I looked at her with glimmering eyes..." The moment an off-brand description, word, or phrase falls out of your mouth, you will cringe in pain. It'll be so potently apparent that isn't you, or isn't the real voice of the character. Cut it.

4/ Listen for pace. Long descriptions seem great when they're in your head. But read them out loud and you'll feel yourself getting bored of yourself. Don't discount this feeling. The moment you start zoning out, the description has died. Compress it. Get to the point.

5/ Listen for your own emotions. Reading your writing out loud makes it real. In emotional moments, you'll feel your chest tighten. In vulnerable moments, you'll feel your throat close. In hilarious moments, you'll let out a laugh. These = your BEST writing. 🎉🎉🎉

Reading your writing out loud is the most important part of becoming a great writer. You will learn much more about yourself and how to improve just by speaking the words. All inadequacies reveal themselves, in the best way. Now you know what to fix.

This Twitter thread is sponsored by #Ship30for30, a cohort-based community teaching people how to get started writing online. t.co/34AcQYuW3r