It is difficult to judge the flow of your own writing. Where is the balance between lacking professionalism and lacking relatability? Tilting the scale either way can scare a reader away. 

Attempting the effortless writing style may seem like a nonsensical stream of consciousness that comes out naturally and perfectly in a digestible format. Creating this flow, that pulls the reader into the words and strings them along, is much more complex than simply writing informally. 

The difference lies in the breeziness of the writing. A breezy style is reminiscent of a writer that does not necessarily respect the words they choose to put together. It is an attempt at conversational writing, but that’s about it – an attempt. It can often come across as corny, condescending, and verbose. Breezy writing is characterized by language that patronizes the reader, with no regard for their understanding of complex ideas. Y’know what I mean? (Zinsser, 2013).

While it is contradictory, the effortless style requires a great deal of mindfulness. Its greatest component is genuineness. If the writer is uninterested by their own topic, or attempting an unnatural style, the reader will be able to tell. We’ve returned to the idea of taking your reader seriously, and avoiding undermining their innate ability to understand. 

It is important to differentiate taking the reader seriously and taking yourself seriously. By trusting your own abilities, you allow yourself the space to use a fruitful combination of relaxed, conversational language and strong, professional wording that layers your work. Taking yourself too seriously also risks scaring the reader away with stiff stuffiness. 

It’s all about finding balance – finding your own little cozy spot somewhere in the middle, where you feel most comfortable writing from a genuine place. 

“That’s the effortless style at its best: a methodical act of composition that disarms us with its generated warmth.” 

Zinsser, 2013

In his essay, “Writing for (not by) the Ear,” Donnell King outlines several tips and tricks for writing conversationally, or for “the ear.” Here are some of my favorite:

1. Use “you” and “I” forms of verbs.
2. Use present tense more than past tense.
3. Use stories more than numbers.
4. Use simple, basic vocabulary.
5. Use shorter sentences with basic structure.

(King, 2005)

Overall, it is best not to force anything. If you find your medium, the natural flow will present itself.

References:

King, D. (2005). Writing for (not by) the Ear. Just Read. Retrieved February 19, 2023, from https://justread.link/uWGB7Iaih 

Zinsser, W. (2013). On Writing Well. Harper Paperbacks.