IWSG and guest June Holder: Writing at a Different Angle

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IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!

November 2 question - November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?

Thank you, co-hosts, Diedre Knight, Douglas Thomas Greening, Nick Wilford, and Diane Burton!

Once upon a time, I did participate in NaNoWriMo. I dreaded the competition because, as an artist, I've never appreciated putting a deadline on creativity. You're either feeling inspired or not! Needless to say, I was able to write that entire novel in a single week at 10k words a day.

It was so fun! I'd spent the week with Karen Hoover at her timeshare condo, doing nothing but writing and forcing ourselves to eat once in a while. Haha!

Today, I have a special guest writer. She doesn't write fiction, but something else entirely extraordinary--welcome, June Holder!

 When Elizabeth asked me to share some thoughts on writing for executives, I immediately thought of the story below, which I posted on LinkedIn a while back. Elizabeth was curious to know more about the “how,” specific to the writing component.

When writing for fictional characters, you fully create them and there are no boundaries. When writing for real people, there’s an inherent responsibility to both the person and the audience. I spend some time getting to know the person, listening to recordings of their previous speaking engagements if they are available, tuning into their pacing, phrases and expressions they embrace. I learn as much as I can about who they are, what they are passionate about, what they represent for the audience. My goal is not to recreate them. My goal is to offer them a way to bring their authentic and beautiful true self into words that will help them share their thoughts and ideas with others. As I write, I try to envision them speaking the remarks so I can stay tuned into their energy. While I’m weaving in the key messages that form the structure of their remarks, I’m building in places for them to connect with their audience, always aware that each person listening should feel a connection with the speaker that is personal and, ideally, profound. My writing often feels symphonic, as I build a bassline of foundational ideas and add intrigue, emotion and movement. 

I find it critical to spend some time researching the topic to gain a reasonable level of understanding of what the speaker will be discussing. That means I am on a constant learning curve, always expanding my perspective and gathering insights from some of the most lovely and brilliant people. 

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to write speeches for the leaders of a Fortune 50 company?

Behind the scenes there’s a highly coordinated effort involving not just the speaker and his/her staff, but also the event organizers and the people who will support production and promotions before, during and after the event.

There’s also plenty of research taking place to assess the event, the audience, the topic and the moment in time. 

All of those connections and conversations are developed into a “roadmap” that contains the remarks that will be delivered and an event brief that provides the speaker with the details needed.

For me, the most exciting part is when the words I’ve provided become a runway… when the speaker fully steps into that timeless space with the audience where you can feel the room lifting and the resonant energy brings everyone together as one.

Once you’ve felt that you understand the incredible power of having someone breathe life into your words.

June Holder is an accomplished communications leader and trusted advisor to senior executives on corporate and personal brand positioning and messaging. Her passion for puzzle solving has taken her on a journey spanning external, employee, executive and sustainability communications, public relations, brand, co-branding and rebranding strategies, program management and as managing editor of websites and newsletters.