6 Ways to Make Your Writing Upbeat and Fun

photo by Ernst Moeksis

You've probably read enough articles, news stories, press releases and books to distinguish different tones and moods in the writing style used by the author. Simply, by changing a few words, adding punctuation and pauses for effect and using a different way to separate related topics, a writer can change how the reader feels about what they are reading. So you think you're too serious, businesslike and 'heavy'?  Here are ways you can make your writing upbeat and fun:

Don't assume.

When writing, avoid wrapping your content in a veil of secrecy and enigma. Being mysterious is fine for puzzle makers and fortune tellers, but it doesn't always work with writers. Use an unassuming tone in writing instead.  Avoid being overbearing or condescending. Just write clearly and use a light, undemanding tone.

Use humor.

Humor is a universal language, which means that with the right words, you can affect the way people see things an cause them to break into a smile or laughter. 

To make your writing upbeat and fun, inject humor into your writing. Be lively and write with enthusiasm. If you're bored, it will be reflected in your writing.  Don't be afraid to make people laugh because it's often the easiest way to show them what you mean.

Don't overdo the words.

Some of the best and well-loved writers of the past and present centuries used simple, easy to read language. Anne Rice, Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Paulo Coelho and Isabel Allende are the kind of writers who did not require their readers to read their works with a dictionary next to them. As a result, their readers find it easier to understand and appreciate their efforts.

To keep the mood of your writing upbeat and fun, don't try to exert too much effort to impress your readers. They want to be entertained and to be informed – not bewildered or confused. Don't make it too hard for them. Use long, complicated words only when necessary or as a requisite in what you're writing.

Lighten up the language.

To make your copy upbeat and fun, you might have to use colloquial terms or slang.  This is sometimes the case when the term you're considering is too technical for your readers to appreciate. 

Do not use offensive words.

Sometimes, in an attempt to make writing upbeat and fun, some writers make the mistake of using words that are entertaining only to a few but highly offensive to the majority.  Words that reflect bigotry, hatred or prejudice can seem upbeat but may not be effective in the context of the whole.  Avoid these words.

Don't try to please everyone. There is no way your writing will appeal to every reader. Not even the best and brightest writers have been able to do that. This is why writers have targeted audiences or niches and why writing is characterized by genre. 

Can you imagine if horror master Stephen King wrote a romance novel in the style of Harlequin books? Writers will always have their own styles and a segment of the audience that admire them. 

To keep your writing upbeat and fun, avoid trying to cover several genres or styles of writing. Use one or two at most. Whether you're writing non-fiction, a humorous story, a satire, a critique, or are simply offering your opinion, stick to a tone of voice that is the best vehicle for the message you want to share.