Exceptional writing continues expressions fundamental to history, culture, the present, and the future.  Exceptional writing learns from a specific, yet universal worldview, and lives-out those expressions in the heat of a historical moment. 

Exceptional writers hold two “elements of style” in common. They explain what others do not see in their context (authors dream), and they do so with well-chosen words. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, in my opinion, with these perceptions.

Education and worldview determine an author or speech writer’s emphasis. King did not graduate from high school. He passed the Morehouse College entrance exam qualifying him to enter college. At Morehouse, College, professors told Luther to “seek truth”. 

During years of study, Martin Luther King, Jr. found the power of truth and freedom in the writing of Mahatma Gandhi and the forceful and effective words of Henry David Thoreau’s, “Civil Disobedience”.  Perhaps Jesus‘ words, inextricably personal, inspired the theme of King’s, “I Have A Dream” speech. Jesus says, when “…living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” (John 8:32)

Whether Gandhi, Thoreau, the Christ, or you and I, words belong to their author. Each understands personal responsiblity and the obligation of affect. They could veer or adhere to the truth. When an author’s thoughts skew or eschew eternal truths, manipulation and self-aggrandizing inevitably distract and destroy. 

An author’s commitment to truth faces tests at all levels. Enemies of truth attack the message, and when eluded, they kill the messenger. Ghandi died of a gun shot wound. Thoreau died of a mortal cold caught when counting tree-rings in December of 1860. Jesus died by crucifixtion. Each man inspired the thought, character, and action of King.

Martin Luther King, Jr. understood that truth matters because without truth no eternal principle brings hope or change. Every great writer (there aren’t many in our proxlixic age) has moments when words flow like a river, or drip like a leaking faucet. No matter how the words appear, authors, blog-writers, article-writers, journalists, professors, or local cub-reporters must realize that words imprison or set free, give life or take life.

Martin Luther King, Jr. studied history, the failures of government and culture, the call to keep promises made to all, and the “urgency of the moment”. Each point of the “I Have a Dream” speech emphasizes the importance of historical precedent (good or evil), the short-falls of injustice, and the unparalleled power of words.  

Writing doesn’t take too much courage. Heck, you can post a lot of drivel on the Internet. No one may read a word, but you get to express yourself.

Billions of words appear daily on the Internet. Some words inspire change and major paradigm shifts. Some face the wrath and doom of Alexa and Google.

Lots of palaverous politicing has been expressed lately. Some of those “rhetorical flourishes” are worth hearing.

Clearly, Barack Obama’s presidential campaign inspired a pivotal transformation in U.S. politics. History will educate us about the impact of this political metamorphosis on Pennsylvania Avenue brings to the Main Streets of America.

Imagine the courage or chutzpah Barack Obama garnered when choosing to become the president of the United States. Dissuasion would come from every quadrant of his life. Nothing thwarted his intention; failure was not an option. But most importantly, he was not afraid to fail, nor were any of the other many candidates.

Here are a few observations about our president-elect analogous to writing.

1. He’s cool.

He does not seem to hide. He appears “comfortable in his skin”, and he’s not afraid to declare what matters to him. I’m not naive; politicians express themselves to achieve a purpose, but after two years, we’ve become accustomed to his face. What this may indicate is a man who knows where he’s going.

Writers must possess the same clarity. Where are you going with this article? What is the point? What difference will it make? These themes resonated in Barack Obama’s presidential campaign strategy. He knew where he was going.

2. He’s intelligent.

Dr. Seuss wrote intelligent books too. One of my favorites is “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish. This one has a little star, this one has a little car.” Dr. Seuss makes the difficult simple, colorful, and lively.

Not many attend Columbia or Harvard Law School. Mr. Obama considers this a privilege that his mom and grandmother both encouraged and pushed him toward. As you may remember, his mother awakened Barack at 4:30 in the morning to tutor him. That’s commitment for both of them.  

3. He’s willing to sell himself to us.

The crowds around Barack Obama made other candidate events look like high school reunions. Voters crowded themselves to hear his message. He’s not a god, but he certainly created enthusiasm. I think he’s  affective because he believes in himself, and he’s the product.

Look at all the better blog writers, Internet article writers, or copywriters. Each has similar approaches to get results, but each distinguishes themselves with the unique personality of their message. They know themselves, and they parade their strengths. Writers should do likewise.

William Zinsser writes, “Ultimately the product that any writer has to sell is not the subject being written about, but who he or she is. I often find myself reading with interest about a topic I never thought would interest me….What holds me is the enthusiasm of the writer for his field….This is the personal transaction…. Out of it come two of the most important qualities…humanity and warmth.”
(On Writing Well, William Zinsser, 2001, p5)

Learning to write with human warmth, caring, and kindness are the most basic and essential rudiments to good writing.

Evenings keep me at my desk with fingers on my laptop.  Recently I joined the Warrior Forum. I’ve been a member for a few years. Before tonight my interests were cursory, unfocused, and sporadic. An Article Friendly forum colleague recommended my joining the Warrior Forum.  Since I did not have record of a username or password, I signed up again only to find out my username was registered previously by me!

My Article Friendly colleague also recommends the Warrior Forum War Room (sounds militant, but not). The War Room offers a vast array of writing tools, lessons, private label articles, RSS instructions…good grief, more than I could swallow at one sitting. 

Despite choking on the information, I observed a few principles important to me, and perhaps to you.

Here’s what matters to when writing
• Write!
• Search or seek supporting data or content for what you’re writing.
• Write!
• Stay focused…don’t wander off the path of your subject.
• Write!
• Avoid software guaranteed to write for you.

This will sound quite trite and almost obsequious:  Individual creativity or expression matters more than selling words.  In my opinion, the best writers, copywriters, script writers, or poets deserve recognition because the ideas flow from their personality.

Constructing sentences takes courage. Most ideas lack originality. “There’s nothing new under the sun.” But you cast a shadow that no one else can. Just write instead of seeking shortcuts, excuses, and distractions.

When writing goals I attempt making them “SMART”

*S-specific

*M-measurable

*A-attainable

*R-realistic

*T-timed

Second, I write them in the first person; my goals are all about me, what “I am”. This may seem rather simple and obvious, but perhaps not for you. Certainly took me awhile to figure the value of writing first person singular goal affirmations.

Third, I write goals in the active tense telling myself what I am doing now, even though I’m not doing “it” yet. Present active tense, saying something for myself as though that circumstance is “present” makes the goal more alive, dynamic, and real. I get tired of what “will be”; I want it now, and my imagination makes “now” possible.

No matter what, write what you want about yourself. Make it positive and hopeful. In fact, you might follow this guideline or rubric for what you write about yourself. Your goal statements should include assertions that are:

*True

*Honest

*Just (not overly self-critical)

*Pure (good for body and mind)

*Loving (always bringing what is best to others in your circle)

*Good Report (always seeing, expecting, and hoping for good news)

Most importantly, write your goals. Everyone seems to have some fragmented idea of goals, but only 3% of us write them. I choose to be in the 3%, and you?

Benjamin Langley submitted two articles to Echievements.com about goal setting he titled, “Be S.M.A.R.T.: Set Goals! Pt 1” and “Pt 2“. Not much original in the articles. Ben could have written one article on the subject. He does, to his credit, remind readers to stay motivated by getting S.M.A.R.T.

Ben’s articles remind me about A “SMART” memo on my Treo. Neither Ben or I created the “S.M.A.R.T.” acronymn. At the moment, I cannot find the source. However, here is what the originator meant (and Ben catches this somewhat).

• S – Specific
• M – Measurable
• A – Attainable
• R – Realistic
• T – Timed

The author, from whom I learned this acronmyn writes, “If you can’t count it, measure it, or describe it in detail, you probably aren’t clear enough to get it.” (By the way, if you know the author, please post a comment.)

Most of us may overlook the essential impact of getting S.M.A.R.T. Before getting smart, you have to possess a vision derived from your interests, gifts, life-purpose, and talents. Your goal becomes structured, takes form, and gets guided by S.M.A.R.T. steps.

Pursuing goals without finding a vision may lead to missteps. So, where-in-the-world do you find your vision that prompts getting S.M.A.R.T?  Self-reflection, feedback from your education, employment, hobbies, and interests. We all have a spark to do something well, but we give up on it easily. Ben Langley says, “The more vivid the goal is in your mind, the more intensely you feel the motivation to achieve it.” Actually, the more confidently you possess your vision, the more likely you will take S.M.A.R.T. steps to make it happen.

Thanks Ben Langley for prompting these thoughts.