WRITING IS NOT EASY: Author’s Note
Whether one is a high school student or a Pulitzer Prize-winner, most writers seem to share this sentiment: writing is not easy. As a published author of a number of books, writing is something that I both love and at times hate.

Over the years, other writers have generously shared their “tricks of the trade” with me, the effect of which has been to make my writing experiences easier and more pleasurable. Some of this advice is very applicable to the process of writing admissions essays. Here are some of those tips:

adMISSION POSSIBLE® TIP! To keep yourself on a good writing track, photocopy these six tips for writing and post them near your computer or writing place.

• Write as if you are talking to the reader

• Write in the first person

• Don’t start with an outline; begin with a brainstorm

• Show; don’t tell

• Be specific

• Avoid generalities, clichés, bromides, and philosophical/ psychological babble

Write as if you are talking to the reader
Perhaps the best advice I ever received came from a publishing executive at a writer’s conference. I will never forget the moment when she said, “The most effective authors write as if they are talking with someone. To write well, be yourself; be natural; write like you’re talking on paper.” As soon as I heard this advice, I changed how I wrote. After that, words just seemed to flow.

You can and should do the same with college essays. After all, if the purpose of a college essay is for the reader to get to know you, then a step in that direction is to write as if you are talking to the admissions person who will read it.

Write in the first person
Many writers have told me that in order to write well, they had to unlearn much of what they learned in high school English classes. Among the most important un-learnings was giving themselves permission to use the pronoun, I. Teachers often tell students to write only in the third person, using the pronouns he, she and they. Because college admissions people want to hear about you in your own, unique voice, one of the best ways of accomplishing this is by using the first person, I.