Novel Graphics #03

Write. Read aloud. Repeat.

This week I learned that when writing headlines, most of them are going to be terrible — but that’s okay. Writing involves writing badly. You have to get all the bad stuff out of the way to get to the good stuff. I accept this, I get it. I like writing badly — it’s fun.

What is not fun is reading aloud, but this exercise solidified its necessity.

When you read your work aloud it reveals a ton about the thoughtfulness of your writing, where your brain is at, how it makes connections. There might be something important there, a little thread of genius. Often not, but sometimes.

Some of these headlines I read confidently, and some I lowered my voice, rushed through, or skipped altogether. Those were the ones that I ended up rewriting. Some ultimately ended up being my favorites, and reading them aloud was much easier and less scary the second go around.

Emily Volk is a native Oregonian, runner, comics lover and copywriting intern at Struck. You can look at pictures of her cats on Instagram and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Joanna Papaleo is an Interactive Designer at Struck. She designs with her constant companion (and dog) Meatball by her side. You can also find her on Twitter and whoisjoanna.com.

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