Yes, you read that right. Don’t write like a pro.

More importantly, there’s really no such thing as a pro. Get that eyebrow down and read what I’m about to say carefully. Yes, there are professional writers. Yes, they have great writing style, hence their successful writing careers. But here’s the catch: you don’t have to learn to write like them to succeed.

In fact, you probably can’t.

Unlike math or science, there’s really no sure way to identify what is and isn’t “good” writing. Pardon the artist complex, but I do believe that writing is an art. There’s technical writing, I know, but if you mean writing that’ll get people to want rather than need to read you, then it’s just not technical writing you need.

It’s a cliche, but I’ve found that the best way to get people to sit up and notice you is to write truthfully and passionately. I’ve been blogging for a very long time, and I’ve had my share of loyal readers. Still, the first time I ever really gained some degree of popularity both online and offline was when I wrote angrily about the state of politics in my country.

I was pissed, I was ranting and by all standards, I’m sure it wasn’t pretty. I wrote in the vernacular, too, alienating foreigners easily. But what I wrote was raw and angry and somehow, it struck a chord. People from all over the world started writing to me just to tell me how my article affected them. Some cried, some laughed — I was overwhelmed.

I’d never thought something so simple could be so powerful. It wasn’t anything I’d prepared for; none of the outlines and rituals that writing teachers usually employ. I just put my feelings into words, and (if the emails I received are to be believed) somehow made a difference.

Grammar and style (to a certain degree) can be studied. It can somehow be learned. But unless you establish your identity as a writer, it’s not going to work. You’ll be aping your favorite writers’ style, or lines, or use of words. It won’t be you, and it’ll never be realistic enough to find resonance in readers.

The first step to successful writing is to write what you know. The second step is to know who you are. Find your voice, find your niche. Then the readers will find you.

XOXO,