How do you start a piece of writing? I often start with a “story,” an anecdote about a person with a problem.
Long ago, I read a project status report from Clive. It was so boring that I skimmed it—only to read this as the last sentence:
“This project is at substantial risk of not being able to finish for the scheduled demo.”
That's after fifteen pages of all positive metrics, explanations of what the individuals and team had finished, and all kinds of other positive outcomes.
I called Clive and said, “We need enough of this work done by that date so we continue to make the Very Important Customer happy.”
He said, “I know.”
“Can we do that?”
“I don't think so,” he said.
I thought he might cry.
“Do you know what we can do?”
That's when we had our first honest conversation about where this project was going and what to do about it. In addition, that's when I learned the value of starting a piece of writing with a specific person, in a context, with a problem.
That context isn't right for all your readers—and that's totally fine. Instead, focus this piece on one ideal reader, with one specific problem, in their context. That's often enough for you to write the rest of the piece fast. (This is exactly what we do when we focus on one persona for product development.)
This is part of an intermittent series of “writing secrets.” Want to learn how to write faster and better? Please join me in the next writing workshop that starts in May 2025.