ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO • 1 MIN READ

Writing Wisdom: Is Your Work Worth Reading?

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Hello Reader!

We are winding down a white paper writing sprint in WriteCME Pro. Submissions are coming in and I'm paper deep in critique.

And I'm loving it!

I'm inspired by the talented ways WriteCME Pro sprinters are assembling narratives and arguments and throwing out extraneous words in service of economy and focus.

Writing sprints are an excellent way to hone your craft and create a portfolio sample.

But writing sprints also beg the question:

Is your writing worth reading?

Oof.

This little gem popped up in a recent issue of Brain Food, one of my favorite newsletters, crammed with succinct imperatives and treasures.

The question cuts to the point, don't you think? It forces us to look closely at what we're writing, and why.

Because here's the thing.

Not all writing is worth reading. Just because someone can put words on a page doesn’t mean they are worth reading or add value. — Schopenhauer’s Strategy Against Clickbait

How do you decide if your writing is worth reading?


📚 Summer Reading

The solution to poor writing is to read and write more.

That's why we do sprints (but also to create portfolio pieces).

And it's why we read.

To this end, this summer I'm reading:

  • The Face: A Time Code by Ruth Ozeki
  • The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne
  • What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
  • I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself by Glynnis MacNicol

Hit reply and tell me what you're reading. I'm always looking for recommendations.


🎙️On the Podcast: Storytelling

The podcast is on hiatus until after Labor Day in the US. But you can still catch all the episodes to date.

Not subscribed? Follow here or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Prefer to listen thematically? Here's a playlist on storytelling for you.

Go gently,

Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP, FACEhp is a writer, researcher, and podcaster who shares her deep expertise in health care and education with new-to-the-field or CME-curious professionals to help them create educational content with confidence. She hosts Write Medicine, the premier podcast for CME/CPD professionals like you, wherever you are in the content creation process. Alex teaches Fundamentals of Writing and Research Ethics in the Professional Education Program in Medical Writing and Editing at the University of Chicago.

Connect with Alex | alex@alexhowson.com | 415.374.9757

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Write Medicine Insider

The newsletter for medical writers breaking into CME. Get expert tips, smart tools, and podcast extras—delivered weekly. Join 2,000+ subscribers. Free.