Without Visualization there can be no Persuasion

I keep finding these terrific topics that seem to apply to both fiction writers and bloggers who freelance for income. That’s so cool when it happens because I feel like my two writing worlds are giving each other a big, cozy hug.

What came to me today might seem like it wouldn’t apply to both but it does indeed make a huge difference when writing either. What’s the topic?

Without visualization there can be no persuasion.

You might be asking – how do I persuade in fiction? What makes this device necessary when creating a world from your imagination?

Encouraging the reader to care about the characters will mean they want to stick around for the outcome, AKA, The End.

Encouragement = persuasion because that’s the part where you add the flowery details that make your narrative resonate. That’s the stuff they can envision so they get drawn into the story.

In fiction we persuade through many devices – sentence length, use of adjectives, scene, structure of the story, structure of the page layout, the things our characters do...

Bloggers might think they don't build imaginative worlds.

But don't they?

In blogging we persuade through many devices in the writing – sentence length, use of adjectives, scene, structure of the story, structure of the page layout, the things our characters do…

Wait, isn’t that the same thing I just said about fiction? Yup. Because it’s true for both.

For bloggers, persuasive language is the key to writing posts that are enjoyable to read but help convert the reader to take action.

At the end of the post most if not all successful Bloggers generally make a sales pitch or share some other call to action they want their readers to take.

To get that click, you might add a story about someone you know who was able to take advantage of the benefits of whatever it is your post is selling – services, product, subscribers, etc.

To tell a complete and compelling story means you’re encouraging a reader to stick with you to the end and, just like in fiction, encouragement = persuasion.

Readers will devour blogs or fiction when they have a hook

Something that teaches, inspires, shocks a reader. But most important, answers their questions.

Fiction writers can do this by unveiling a character trait in such a way the reader can visualize the scene in their mind.

For example, a little old lady next door who seems sweet and innocent for the first ten chapters is seen by a neighbor repeatedly slapping her wheelchair-bound husband in chapter eleven. Whoa!

As the writer it’s your job to detail answers to the reader’s questions through the remainder of the narrative and dialogue. The ones you know they’ll have like:

• Why did she do that?
• When did it start?
• Is there more to their story as a couple?
• Is she evil or is he evil?
• Just how deep do their problems go?

You unveil as the story goes on, bit-by-bit, and the reader is hooked right up until that little old lady’s final breath.

Bloggers have a little less space to craft the hook that has a reader sticking around to the end. But it’s still our job to build that 800-2000 word world where a reader is shocked, gets inspired, or comes away with more knowledge than they had coming in (welcome to the party!).

Sometimes we use flowery prose that makes or breaks a reader’s feelings about a particular product, service, etc. Plus, the piece needs to be organized well, flow with ease and have a particular voice.

When you write a blog the headline should be the shock factor – it’s the little old lady slapping her husband, and your reader is the husband. Through the rest of the piece share personal stories, quotes, shocking revelations you discovered in your research. All things that keep readers reading!

You structure the piece to answer one last question and then – boom! – right at the end you reveal the answer and wrap up the post quickly so your reader can comment and share.

Whether a reader longs to be whisked away into an imaginary world or learn how to make more money online, fiction writers and bloggers can use persuasion to send a reader wherever they want them to be.

Image courtesy Stuart Miles on freedigitalphotos.net

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