Why Should I Write About That, When Others Have Done It Already?
Last week, I received an email from a former graduate of my six-week blogging course.
“I think what really stuck with me was when you said that ‘we all have a different story to tell’ and ‘no one will tell my views or story in the same way I will’.
This has really encouraged me to share my voice and express my opinion, rather than thinking ‘oh I won’t write about that, as so many other people have written a lot about it already!’”
Her last point, about “so many other people” writing about the same subject, is one that lots of people tend to make. They worry that others have already written everything they were going to write, and they wrote it better.
(It’s strange, really… no-one thinks about not cooking dinner because Nigella Lawson already cooks dinners and hers taste nicer, or about not going for a run because Mo Farah already runs and he’s much faster.)
Somewhere, someone has written about writing about things others have written about before.
Though they may not have said it exactly like that.
And that’s the point.
You might be telling a story, or scribbling your thoughts on a subject that many others have already covered (you definitely will, in fact, because as the Bible itself says, “there is nothing new under the sun”).
But because nobody else sees the world in quite the same way you do, no-one else will write about that subject in quite the way you’re going to.
The way that has potential to resonate with readers. Readers who may have read other takes on the same subject, but didn’t quite connect with it…
…until now.
So, why not use your writing to express your individual voice, and tell the stories of your soul?
You don’t have to be the best writer who ever lived… you’ll save yourself years of heartbreak if you don’t set out with being the best as your ultimate goal.
Just do it your way. Concentrate simply on being as honest and real as you can with your words, because that will help make the right impact on the readers who matter.
Of course, not everyone will enjoy what you write, and they’re the readers who don’t matter. I doubt E.L. James is that bothered about the readers who didn’t like Fifty Shades of Grey, as she sits on the mountain of cash that came from writing the fastest-selling UK paperback of all time, and the Hollywood movie adaptation deals that followed.
If you’d like to give expressive writing a go, but you’d like some guidance and support from a small and dedicated group, my new Blogging Basics course begins on 29th September, for six weeks.
So far, its graduates have become wonderful children’s story writers, keen life-and-travel bloggers, and business bloggers extraordinaire.
What will you write about?
Related Articles
How to Write About Yourself (So You Sound Unique and Interesting!)
Nothing and nobody is boring, once we’re able to understand them properly.
Read moreDo You Have to Carve Out a Freelance Niche?
In my five years as a freelance writer, I have so far avoided the thing that most people told me I’d eventually have to do, which is to carve out a niche for my writing.
Read more
Is there a secret to good writing?
Why is the Pope "allergic" to adjectives?
(That's not the start of a joke.)
Read moreHow to Tame the Fear That Lurks Behind “I Haven’t Got Time to Write”
Strategies to beat your writing monster into submission
Read moreFun Creative Resolutions to Make You Happy in 2021
How to take the pressure off... and just enjoy being creative.
Read moreThe Art of Asking for Advice (or Why Should I Care if You Want to Be a Writer?)
What's in it for me?
Read more
How to Be (or Stay!) Creative in Lockdown 2
Ideas to help you keep that creative well flowing.
Read moreWhen Schedules, Goals, and Rituals Don’t Work
Why failing to plan could be just what you need to succeed.
Read moreHow Dare They Criticise Me! How To Make Good Use Of Feedback
How not to drown in other people's opinions.
Read moreIf You Want To Be Ultra-Creative, Channel Your Weirdness
What are the events, loves, or random quirks of character that really make you, you?
Read more
Why Should I Write About That, When Others Have Done It Already?
Nobody else can tell a story in quite the same way you can.
Read moreAll Hail September, Month of New Beginnings
Get ready to shed the skin of summer, and begin a new creative project.
Read moreWhy (The Right) Words Matter, More Than Ever Before
In these unprecedented times, words count.
Read more(Don’t) Show Your Work: How To Become A Confident Creator
Create like nobody's watching... so that when they are, you're ready.
Read moreWhy ‘Explain Your Obvious’ is the Secret of Persuasive Writing
Explaining what’s blatantly obvious to you, could turn out to be advertising gold.
Read moreLife in the Time of Coronavirus
There’s something reassuring about businesses carrying on as ‘normally’ as they can...
Read more
The Persian Flaw (Or, Why We Don’t Have to Be Perfect When We Write)
Don't let spelling and grammar fears stop you from writing.
Read moreGSOH Required: How to Write an (Effective) Online Dating Profile
"...it’s detail that will make you stand out, and most people aren’t mind readers."
Read moreWho Do You Want to Be Today?
This is a story about a career transformation. And Take That.
Read moreWant to Write Like A Human? Mine Your Inner Monologue
"You can’t be on somebody’s side, if you don’t know what they think or how they feel".
Read moreBlogging, and the Importance of Bodacious Self-Expression
...they were learning how to express their true feelings in words, and the results were honest, uplifting, and totally magnetic.
Read moreSecret Sauce to Give Your Blog Posts Added Spice
"If you want to grab readers’ attention, you have to start with the heart."
Read more
How I Got Better At Public Speaking
My journey from terrified mumbler to casual speaker, in easy-to-follow steps.
Read moreHow to Transform Your Blog Into a Book
If you have trouble motivating yourself to write that next blog post, whisper a little reminder: this could be a book one day.
Read moreWriting Lessons From Improvised Comedy
There’s something fascinating about a group of people being silly on stage, especially when they’ve probably all got mortgages and serious jobs.
Read more
Does Your Website Need a Copy Refresh? (Mine Did)
Revamping your web copy will give your business the gift of reconnection.
Read moreHow I Rescued My Stalling Novel
Struggling with writing a novel? Find the courage (and the effort!) to really get to know your work.
Read moreHow to Plan Your Career Change CV (Hint: Be Selfish!)
"If you really want to change your career, you have to be determined, and you have to be selfish."
Read moreThe Trials and Tribulations of the Freelance Holiday
As a freelance writer, taking a break is always a challenge. But I push on through the guilt, and here's why.
Read moreHow to Write a Review (That's Actually Useful)
Reviews get read, because people assume they might be useful. Don't disappoint them!
Read moreThe Magic of Kismet Marketing
Has your marketing strategy got room for some unexpected magic?
Read moreSEO Copywriting (and Other Ways to Make Your Business Sound Boring)
Don't write for search engines, write for people.
Read moreAre you too modest to write a book?
If you've always wanted to write a book, but were put off by the people who already have - help is at hand!
Read moreOK, so you got a six-figure business. That don't impress me much
Where's the value in empty business gurus?
Read more
So, what do you do? How (not) to introduce yourself at networking events
Do you rely on a rehearsed networking pitch?
Read more
Is your business preaching to the converted?
How to sell your amazing ideas to a brand-new audience.
Read moreSocial media bragging - yay or nay?
How to get away with bragging...without bragging about it.
Read moreThe Art of the Written Compliment
If you're too embarrassed to give (or receive!) compliments, writing it all down can work wonders
Read moreLooking for a way to beat the January blues? Start with a letter
It's Universal Letter Writing Week - how will you celebrate?
Read moreKick-start your writing in 2019 (with a little help from me!)
I’ve gathered together some of my most-read blog posts, tips and tools to help you get writing.
Read moreStuck in a career rut? Get someone else to write your CV – and thrive!
"The right person will help you come across as yourself, but in a prouder, more polished, 'look what I’ve achieved' kind of way"
Read moreStraight from the heart: how to write irresistible words
When you give people a piece of yourself, you will naturally engage them.
Read moreHow to give good interview (whatever side of the desk you’re on!)
Simple tips to help you breeze through any interview scenario.
Read moreBeware of the flowers: why customers don't care about your business
Focus on telling interesting business stories that reflect your ideal customers’ lives back to them.
Read moreIf you can’t take criticism, don’t be a writer!*
You can always learn from other people's insights - good or bad
Read moreWhy a degree doesn't equal real-world competence
Sometimes, just putting the work in is enough.
Read moreFreelance reflections in the snow
Just like building the perfect snowman, carving out your freelance identity can be tough!
Read moreLone wolf or team worker - which is best?
How to write interesting content for any business (even yours)
Got a book or blog to write? Beat the block and get it done!
November means #NaNoWriMo - so whatever you're working on, it's time to get it done!
Read moreHow will I sound like me, when you're doing the writing?
Ironically, it's when you're writing about yourself that you will sound least like you. Hiring a writer to do it for you can bring a whole host of benefits.
Read moreWhy storytelling is your secret weapon in business (and how to do it properly)
Learn how to live happily ever after through the power of storytelling
Read moreHow to brief your copywriter
Trusting someone else with your words can be one of the best things you do for your business - but it has to be done properly!
Read moreWhy you definitely shouldn't write a book in a weekend!
Writing books is big business - or at least it can be, if you get it right. For starters, this means not rushing the process!
Read moreTry this simple formula to create a killer profile headline!
Headlines are always difficult to write, so here's an easy way to craft something original for your personal and professional profiles.
Read moreWhat do successful entrepreneurs and guests on the Jeremy Kyle Show have in common?
There's a lot of vague career advice out there, so if you're looking for insight that goes beyond "be yourself and follow your passion" you may have to leap before you look!
Read moreRead this before you publish you're next blog post!
Do you edit your work before you publish it?
Read moreHow to beat those pre-presentation jitters
Standing up and presenting to a group of people is something that strikes fear into the hearts of even the most confident people - so if you're an introvert like me, it can really be the stuff of nightmares! Here's how I tackle my nerves head-on, with some careful preparation and relatable content.
Read moreCreate a schedule you can stick to (it's not as hard as you think!)
Creating a schedule can be a difficult task, especially when you're planning for work you're not being paid for - or that nobody is expecting! Here's how to get started on crafting a time plan that will work for you.
Read moreFor that special person who has everything, give the gift of words
If you know someone who already has everything, give them something truly unique - special words.
Read moreNo job for life? How a tailored approach to job-hopping can win your next career move
Did you know that so-called 'job-hopping' can be an asset to your career search? Whether you prefer stability or excitement in your career, planning your next move is all about packaging your skills and making the right kind of approach.
Read moreThe truth about blogging for business
Are you reading this over coffee, or maybe as you wait for a late train? Blogging for business is a handy way to keep in regular contact with your followers and show them the human side of your company, but it can be difficult to keep it going once you've started. It's worth it, though - so here are a few tips to keep your blog posts consistent and entertaining.
Read moreRead this before you write your next recruitment ad!
Writing a recruitment ad is often a rushed activity, with the words used ones you've read many times before ("dynamic" anyone?) Here's how the Banks children managed to recruit their ideal candidate - Mary Poppins! - by using clear and creative words that stood out.
Read more‘CV Greatest Hits’ Countdown – 10 ultimate CV tips to prepare you for the Great 2017 Job Hunt!
'Greatest Hits' countdowns are rife at this time of year - so now, here's one featuring the best CV advice. This list will give you the ultimate steer if you're looking to get your CV on track for the new year job hunt. Wishing you a very happy 2017!
Read moreGive yourself a special Christmas gift...a happy working life in 2017!
If you're stuck in a job you don't particularly like, mindlessly searching job boards for something else, it can be hard to dredge up any enthusiasm to make a change. But that little bit of rest time between Christmas and a brand new year beginning is perfect for considering exactly what you want, and how to take the very first step towards making 2017 your happy work year!
Read moreHow to write your life story
With a new year on the horizon, why not make a resolution to tell your life story? Committing your personal tales to paper can be a rich and rewarding experience for you to write and others to read...for generations to come. Here's how to get started.
Read moreWriting to get what you want at work!
Have you ever thought that making a few tweaks to your working life would help make living it much easier? Harness the power of well-chosen words to state your case and win better work-life balance in the process.
Read moreHow to pinpoint useful e-information for your business…without going crazy in the crowd!
Are you often left with the feeling that you don't quite know enough about all the online tools you can use to promote your business? How about website analytics...shouldn't you be checking them every five minutes just like the experts say? Relax - here's how to take advantage of all the advice available online, by defining exactly what YOU want to know.
Read moreFitting in ‘me’ projects – five panic-free time management tips for the professionally overwhelmed
Is time getting the better of you? With a growing business, several passion projects on the go, books to read and friends I'd quite like to see, I was starting to feel overwhelmed...until I decided to take a closer look at planning my time more effectively. Here's how you can do the same.
Read moreUse your sense of style to build trust and win business!
Looking for ways to sound consistent and authentic in your written communications? Here are a few tried, tested and original ways to do just that.
Read moreGhost stories…how shadowy script can light up your life and work
BOO! Like a ripe pumpkin Hallowe'en has rolled around yet again, so what better time to extol the benefits of ghostwriting, definitely not just the province of bargain-bin bound celebrities.
Read more"I'm a Quiet Revolutionary..." she whispered
I'm very proud indeed to be featured as this week's 'Quiet Revolutionary' - a celebration of all things introverted.
Read moreHow I escaped the corporate cage and set myself firmly on the ‘write’ career path!
An encounter with a corporate headhunter made me question my career - why was I still doing something I didn't love? Here's how I formulated my corporate escape plan and found a career I truly enjoy.
Read moreSTOP! Attention-grabbing writing – made easy
Everybody's busy these days - far too busy to read all the words that come their way. Get the right people to read YOURS by honing in on your ideal audience and creating compelling copy that will get them hooked.
Read moreGoing it alone - surviving self-employment
Going it alone, releasing yourself from the shackles of a traditional nine-to-five, is exhilarating. It's also incredibly scary! To celebrate my first quarter-year in business, here are some of the most important lessons I've learned from the front line.
Read moreBlogging - not just for hipsters and sicksters*
Regular blog posts - especially if you run a business - can drastically increase your following, as well as helping you beat the competition by describing how you do things your way. Read on for a few more great reasons why you should join the blogging revolution!
Read moreSpecial Deliveries - writing fabulous letters
Getting the tone of a letter right - especially when you're writing to someone you don't know - can be difficult. No matter whom you're writing to, here's how to get started on a letter that's relevant, informative and authentic.
Read more