Being boring has always been one of my biggest fears.
Especially as a writer.
So, for years, I’ve studied writing techniques intensely.
I wanted to understand how to hide my boringness, how to write powerful sentences, how to make my words sparkle, how to be engaging.
My favorite discovery?
Well, there’s sensory words, of course, and metaphors, and stories in miniature.
But apart from that?
The Winnie-the-Pooh technique.
It’s probably the simplest way to write with flair, and make your sentences hop, skip, and dance.
Despite its cuddly name, this technique is suitable for any type of writing.
Shall I explain?
What is the Winnie-the-Pooh technique?
A lot of writing is abstract as we can’t visualize it. There’s no life in it, and that’s rather dull.
So, to make abstract sentences sparkle, we imagine what would happen if an abstract idea acted like a human.
Officially, this is called personification.
But I call it the Winnie-the-Pooh technique because this lovable teddy bear walks, talks, thinks, and drinks tea like a human. There’s life in this plush object:
“I don’t feel very much like Pooh today,” said Pooh.
“There there,” said Piglet. “I’ll bring you tea and honey until you do.”
The Winnie-the-Pooh technique helps add a dash of fun or a sense of poetry to your writing—no matter whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, whether your topic is serious or frivolous.
Shall I show you how?
Examples of personification in writing
In her book Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm, Isabelle Tree describes what happens when farmland is left to re-wild after years of intensive agriculture:
The land, released from its cycle of drudgery, seemed to be breathing a sigh of relief. And as the land relaxed, so did we.
Of course, land is not human, it can’t breathe a sigh of relief and it doesn’t relax, but we understand perfectly what Tree means and the personification adds a sense of poetry to the writing.
In his book The Fault in Our Stars, John Green describes how the sun stays up late:
The sun was a toddler insistently refusing to go to bed: It was past eight thirty and still light.
Crazy, eh? The sun doesn’t have a mind of its own. It can’t refuse to go to bed. It doesn’t even go to bed. But making the sun behave like a toddler adds an element of fun to Green’s writing.
And how about the ocean making love? This is from The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway:
Just before it was dark, as they passed a great island of Sargasso weed that heaved and swung in the light sea as though the ocean were making love with something under a yellow blanket, his small line was taken by a dolphin.
Making the ocean, the earth, or the sun behave a little like us, humans, adds a certain intimacy to writing. We can picture a scene more clearly in our minds, and understand it a little better—as if we can feel the land breathing a sigh of relief.
This effect is even stronger when you apply personification to abstract concepts …
Examples of personification for abstract concepts
A sentence is an abstract concept, it can’t behave like a human. It can’t scream, smile, or whisper. Yet, Joe Moran writes in his book First You Write a Sentence that sentences can holler, even before they’re written down:
Some writers claim to have sentences in their heads hollering to get out.
Sentences also can’t jump, dance, or run. Yet, Moran describes a bad sentence like this:
The sentence just limps and wheezes along to its sad end with a tuneless clank.
A sentence doesn’t have a human body that can be caressed, injured, or wounded. Yet, Moran bandages up a broken sentence:
And all the time I knew that fixing a broken sentence is about so much more than just bandaging it up.
In the sentences above, the verbs nudge the abstract ideas to come alive—to holler, limp, and wheeze.
So, when a sentence or a paragraph feels a little dull to you, look at the verb you’ve used. And then consider: If you’d write about a human instead, how would that human act?
I practiced in a LinkedIn update, suggesting the Winnie-the-Pooh technique might be the simplest way to breathe life into dull writing:
- Make your ideas burst forward with gusto
- Let your sentences flex their muscles and strong-arm your readers
- Allow abstract concepts to hop, skip, and dance
- Let your words hug your readers
Of course, sentences don’t literally flex their muscles and words don’t hug you. But what if they could? Isn’t it fun to imagine?
Go full Winnie the Pooh in your writing
Long before Winnie the Pooh, the ancient Greeks and Romans already adopted the idea of personification. Their gods represent abstract concepts, like jealousy, beauty, or wisdom. A group of sister goddesses represents inspiration: the Muses.
As Ray Bradbury reports:
The Muse, then, is that most terrified of all the virgins. She starts if she hears a sound, pales if you ask her questions, spins and vanishes if you disturb her dress.
What ails her? You ask. Why does she flinch at the stare? Where does she come from and where go? How can we get her to visit for longer periods of time? What temperature pleasures her? Does she like loud voices, or soft? Where do you buy food for her, and of what quality and quantity, and what hours for dining?
Just like the concept of inspiration can be transformed into a human-like goddess, you can turn procrastination into a friend or enemy:
Just when I felt ready to write, my friend Procrastination knocked on the door. She sat down on my desk, wearing her frilly dress, and offered me a cup of tea. There’s a crisis going on, she whispered. Wouldn’t it be better to check the latest news instead of working on a silly blog post about personification?
Strictly speaking, there’s a difference between anthropomorphism and personification. Personification only ascribes one human trait to an object or idea, while anthropomorphism turns a object or concept into a human being with all their flaws and strengths. But either way, it adds pizzazz to deadly dull sentences.
Here’s Nick Cave discussing the timidity of ideas:
Ideas are timid things, in my experience. They come as whispers and you need to hold them in honest regard in order to receive them. Perhaps the idea is as scared as you. Perhaps the idea is as invisible as you may sometimes feel. It may be that the idea is simply mirroring your internal self and is reluctant to settle in a mind that is heavy with uncertainty, and that is repeating ancient mantras of self-doubt. These voices can best be banished by a spirited disobedience, a playful defiance. Disobey the voices by continuing to write. They are a lot less robust than they appear. The idea is closing in.
To go full Winnie the Pooh in your writing, ask yourself a question like: What would happen if fear came knocking at your door? What if curiosity tapped you on your shoulder? What if this abstract idea was a god or goddess, your friend or your enemy? How would they behave?
Let’s shush that little voice that tells you you’re boring
Nobody is boring.
Everyone has interesting ideas, stories, and wisdom to share.
So, let’s breathe a little life into your ideas.
Because your voice deserves to be heard.
Happy writing!
The taste of this was so pleasant in my mouth. My taste buds danced to every bite of it.
Thanks Henneke
Thank you, Ikorogbudu. That’s a lovely compliment.
Henneke,
Thank you! ” And as the land relaxed so did we.” You have a gift for discovery. You always bring us your best. Again, thank you.
Thank you, Curtis. For me, finding (and sharing!) examples of good writing is one of the small pleasures in life. Or maybe it’s quite a big pleasure. Life wouldn’t be the same without good writing.
This may be the best article on writing I’ve ever read.
It was like punching a few holes in my mind where the light could shine in.
When I read:
“The land, released from its cycle of drudgery, seemed to be breathing a sigh of relief. And as the land relaxed, so did we.”
…it brought tears to my eyes.
I’ve been looking for new ideas about writing; words are lying around in my head like musty old books, and my writing emerges like a lecture from a boring professor.
You have opened up a new world for me that I will dive into head first.
Thank you, Robert. That’s a lovely compliment. It makes me happy that you feel inspired.
And I agree with you that those two sentences from Isabelle Tree are wonderful. I enjoyed her book “Wilding” and highly recommend it.
That’s crazy! (again!)
I read this post the day before yesterday.
I even kept the link to reread it.
By the way, I like this passage:
”Just when I felt ready to write, my friend Procrastination knocked on the door. She sat down on my desk, wearing her frilly dress, and offered me a cup of tea. There’s a crisis going on, she whispered. Wouldn’t it be better to check the latest news instead of working on a silly blog post about personification?”
Is it yours?
It’s a good idea to turn a problem into a personification.
Thank you!
It’s uncanny how you’ve again read an article just before I update it!
And yes, I’ve written that paragraph about my friend Procrastination.
You have a similar friend?
Henneke,
I know that whenever I read your posts, I’ll come away with useful knowledge and wisdom.
My writing will begin to shine like an old, forgotten vase. Sleeping in the corner. Waiting for someone to wake it up and erase the decades of dust, revealing its timeless beauty and feeling proud to have been noticed again.
See…you can even teach a 71 year old man to write better.
Thanks so much for your hard work, Henneke
Dusting off your words, revealing their timeless beauty — I like that, Bill!
I am reading less and less content these days, but your posts read less like content and more like art. They convey useful information but the way you embody what you teach through your words makes me pause and take a long slow breath. Like a hug. Thank you 🙂
Awww. What a lovely comment. Your comment feels like a warm hug to me, too. Thank you, Claire. ❤️
This is wonderful, Henneke. It’s exactly what will help me regain a little sparkle in my writing. Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood are old friends of mine, and I love that you’re including them in our writing journey. Thank you for this post!
I’m glad you enjoyed this, Rachel. This is such a fun technique to play with!
Love this so much thank you and Winnie the Pooh 🧡
Thank you, Samjhana. I hope you’ll have fun with this technique in your writing, too.🧡
I found this really helpful because I now know how to breathe life into my dull writing
Great. Happy writing, Stephanie!
Hey,
Thank you so much for these articles. They are definite life savers.
Can I ask you something?
Is it possible to write well if you are not an avid reader?
I’m not sure you must be an *avid* reader but it’s hard to improve writing skills without reading.
Your blog is gold. So much valuable information in here. I look forward to learning even more. 🙂
Thank you so much, Mary. What a lovely compliment. Happy reading! 🙂
I wonder why not I discovered your blog earlier. My writing would be a thousand times better than boring text blocks…
I guess you arrived here when you were ready for it. 🙂
Thank you for your compliment!
So precious lessons you give me free here in your site! I adore your work and I wait each time to receive more and more emails full of knowledge. I feel you’re like a real friend, who wants to gift my brain wings to design my thoughts on pure papers or screens. Thank you, Henneke! I send you my sincere regards and blessings from Greece!
What a lovely comment. I do see my readers (like you!) as friends whom I’d like to inspire to write to share their stories and knowledge, too.
Thank you so much for stopping by, Marya.
As always, a pleasant walk in the woods. Enjoyable, stimulating and returning home with something useful.
Many thanks,
What a great metaphor and a lovely compliment. Thank you, Ian!
Wonderful as always
Thank you, Dean 🙂
I have really enjoyed your site this morning. I’m looking to up my blog game and that’s how I found you. Your writing and passion for the subject has kept me hooked. This must be the fourth article I’ve read and I’m just getting started! I really love the quote on this page, from The Fault in our Stars – “The sun was a toddler insistently refusing to go to bed: It was past eight thirty and still light.” Not least, because I have that very toddler! Fantastic work. Keep it up and I’ll be back for more.
Hi Rob, I’m glad you found my website and that you are enjoying my writing.
Happy blogging! Thank you for stopping by to leave a comment. I appreciate it.
Thanks Henneke. Signed up to your course. Just got this – “Upset your high school teacher; start sentences with And, But, or Or”. It’s not just my teacher, I can hear my Dad expressing his disapproval too!
That’s another voice of authority that can be difficult to rebel against!
“….and Beauty came like the setting sun and I was filled with such delight as prisoned birds must fuid in freedom …up up and away…”
Just this – thank you.
That’s beautiful. I just looked up the whole poem by Siegried Sassoon. I didn’t know it yet. Thank you for sharing.
Sassoon was one of the 16 celebrated war poets – and from a time when some chivalry and idealism still insouciantly trotted along wintry London streets like the elegant black regimental horses swishing their groomed & coiffed tails while their crimson covered uniformed riders sat still and proud on them as if it were a balmy summer’s day… and these poets as soldiers fought for the values they deeply believed in, same as the ones who volunteered for the Spanish Civil war, but some of these later ones began to question…too…’Dulce est decorum est’
Some of the other poets that the wars gave us are Wilfred Owen, Rupert Brooke etc.
From the USA Amy Lowell wrote a searing piece as one left behind at home … Carl Sandberg in anger..
All speaking to the heart. AND the mind. And spirit…using such simple words and cadences.
You have inspired me to use all my poetical techniques & training in some everyday writing … ‘and the highway man came riding –
riding – riding – the highwayman came riding, up to the old inn door…” Rhythm repetition alliteration assonance onomatopoeia …bringing smiles to my face ? NOW I will write!
As I’ve been to school in the Netherlands, I have hardly learned anything about English-language poetry at school. I feel like one day, I’ll have to catch up. It’s starting to itch a little … so many beautiful poems I’ve missed out on.
Happy writing, Renuka! And thank you for stopping by again.
What a cool way to add some life to a blog post. Blog writers sometimes forget to make their writing dance. Or they lack the steps in pulling it off.
I imagine this can be overdone on a single post, Henneke. Do you have any suggestions on that front?
Thanks!
If you try to cram each sentence with too many power words, then you risk overusing this technique. It happens sometimes when writers try to inject too much personality into their posts or they’ve read about power words and want to use them all the time. The best way to avoid it is to read good writing so you develop a radar for when what dose of more power words suits your voice.
I think most people underuse rather than overuse this technique.
Excellent advice, Henneke. I personally write “overwrought with prose” at times, so I had to ask. Writing coaches can be so harsh at times. It was twenty years ago I heard those words and it still rings in my head whenever I write. 🙂
Yes, writing coaches can be too harsh. It’s also tricky because a lot is about personal preference. There isn’t a strict rule that says when writing is too overwrought or too flat. The only rule that works for me is that if it feels too much, then it’s usually safer to simplify.
Just when I felt ready to start writing a comment, my friend Procrastination sat next to me, feet on the desk and sighed. Deeply.
There’s a crisis going on, he moaned. Wouldn’t it be better to check the latest Facebook posts instead of writing a silly comment on a blog post about personification? Will anyone even read it?
I hope so I said smiling. I hope so…
Yes, yes, yes, I read it!
Thank you, Richard. 🙂
Breathing life into things abstract is a great lesson learned from your blog. Personification of a dead sentence, for example, can really make ones writing lively. Show, don’t tell, at its best. Waiting patiently for more. Thanks
I’m glad you enjoyed this, James. Happy writing!
I enjoyed reading your article. Thank you for sharing the personification examples.
Happy writing, Varun!
Hi Henneke!
Thank you for this, enjoyed reading every second of it! I was actually browsing through your past articles the other day after reading your page on 4 unmissable tips to captivate readers for more information on building a relationship with my audience, so imagine my pleasant surprise when I found out you had posted this — tips on adding personality to otherwise dull sentences!
Looking forward to making my writing sing, thanks to you Henneke. 🙂
Thank you for putting a smile on my face today, George. It makes me happy when people are browsing my site and come across the tip they need right now.
Happy writing! And thank you for stopping by 🙂
Wow, I love your article. I never look at writing in such a way. I will definitely try to apply your “Pooh” techniques and make my words dance on all my pages !
Thank you, Jean Francois. Happy dancing! 🙂
I love your writing. And these tips are inspiring. I’ve been teaching copywriting for years and am always telling students “there’s no such thing as dull subjects, only dull writing” and I use examples (not as good as yours!) to show what I mean. But someone will invariably say,”Yeah but that’s fiction. How do you use that technique when writing about telecoms or HR policy documents?” I’m always looking for examples of great ‘business’ writing. Do you have any yourself? I’m happy to swap!
Actually, only three examples in this blog post are from fiction: Winnie the Pooh, the sun as a toddler and Hemingway. The others are all from non-fiction books and could easily appear on a company blog or a non-profit blog. When you introduce more storytelling in blog posts, then it becomes easier to introduce creative writing techniques.
You’ll find a mix of business and fiction examples of writing with personality here: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/descriptive-writing/
These storytelling examples are all from business: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/storytelling-techniques/
And this post about the zoom-in-zoom-out technique (on how to weave stories into your writing) uses a mix of examples, too: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/explanatory-writing/
And this post uses examples of a business book to explain how to write more vividly: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/vivid-language/
And here’s a selection of metaphors from my own blog: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/metaphor-examples/
For good examples of sales copy, check out this post: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/copywriting-examples/
I read a lot of fiction so it’s quicker for me to include some fiction examples, but in almost all my posts, I try to use at least a couple of examples of business writing, too. I also highly recommend the books of Chip and Dan Heath, starting with Made to Stick.
Wow! Thanks very much, Henneke. I really appreciate your examples. I’m sure you don’t need them, but I like to reciprocate if I can so here are some examples from my blog. https://www.forrest-turner.co.uk/how-to-write-about-dull-subjects-in-an-interesting-way/
Thanks again, Lorraine
“Who cares about that?”
Many people do! I do.
This playful trick is a lot outside of my box, but I can see it being applied in my writing in small doses. I do have one piece I feel is stodgy. I’m comfortable with it, but I could throw in a few hops, skips, and jumps, to make it more worthy of the space it is taking. 🙂
And I’m glad you do care 🙂
Even a small dose can make a big difference. Try it and see how it lands?
Your label of Winne the Pooh woke up my curiosity, nudging me to read your simple, yet brilliant post. Now both curiosity and creativity are ganging up on me, pushing me to explore how I might use personification to bring concepts to life (the rascals!).
Thanks for once again sharing your wisdom. Much appreciated.
What a lovely comment. Thank you, Michael. Here’s to a roaring party with your pals curiosity and creativity! 🙂
Ha, I love Pooh! AA Milne was a genius. That’s a great way to get us all to read the subject matter. Thanks for sharing this with the world.
I love Pooh, too 🙂
I’m glad Pooh enticed you to come and read this. Thank you for stopping by!
Wow! Lots of thanks for yet again another inspiring post. This breathes new life into my otherwise zombified, overly conceptual writing.
“Abstract sentences are dull because there’s no life in conceptual thoughts.” This is especially a struggle for writers with intuitive and logical personality type. We tend to love dwelling on complex abstract thought.
These tips on personification bring us ‘back to our senses’.
I like your point of going “back to our senses.”
Thank you for stopping by, Irel.
Hi Henneke,
What a lovely post again! I tend to find metaphors and comparisons when I’m frustrated and trying to explain to someone else what irks me. When writing however I find it very hard to come up with them. I loved your description of procrastination, her sister must hold court around my computer.
Thanks for the enlightened way of explanation, as always.
I’m not surprised that you feel it harder to come up with metaphors while writing.
When writing we can get a bit of tunnel vision and it becomes harder to be creative. Stepping away from a laptop or computer can unlock our creativity as we allow our mind to roam more freely. That’s when we can make new connections and dream up metaphors.
I also came up with the idea to call this the Winnie-the-Pooh technique when I was doing the laundry, not while at my desk!
Personification is a nice way to make writing fun.
Thank you.
Yep, it is 🙂
Hi Henneke,
Thank you for this amazing post. I’ve read it with a great pleasure. It it inspires me for my own writing.
I’m going to dive into your other posts.
Thank you
Best wishes
Nadiia
Hi Nadiia,
How lovely to see your name pop up. I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
Happy writing!
Henneke, thank you so much for your blog posts! Very helpful. Now I just need to apply it to my writing.
Go for it, Keiko, and see what difference it makes!
Thank you for stopping by.
This is my first comment here but I enjoy too much reading your blog. I think you are amazing Henneke, and your writing… well, no question about it. You have great ideas and the way you teach them are simply genius.
A big hug from Argentina.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Fran. It makes me extra happy when someone leaves a comment who hasn’t commented before. Sending a big hug back to you! ?
thanks for helping my boring script
My pleasure 🙂
Now I know how to make my words dance in my articles. Thanks for the great advice Henneke.
Thank you, Aditya. Happy writing!
Your posts are so fantastic with incredible useful insights. This post was by far one of the best ones. (Besides the one on how Apple writes their copy which has been so useful for me as a copywriter.)
Many thanks.
Regards Par
Thank you so much, Par. That’s really helpful to know. (That blog post about Apple is one of the first I’ve ever written; it’s from 2012, and it still get people contacting me about it.)
It’s amazing. The way beauty is added to the sentence through metaphor is simply awesome. Thank you for your valuable input.
I’m glad you find this useful, Reema. Thank you for stopping by!
Thanks for this! I write plenty of copy that’s traditionally regarded as dry, so it’s great to have a reminder of making the words zing. Great article!
Thank you, Kate. That’s exactly how I hoped this article might help. Happy writing!
What wonderful ideas to bring life into one’s writing. I love Pooh, so I will try this, since it does seem that Procrastination sat down next to my desk and is asking to stay…
I love Pooh, too. And he’s much better company than my friend P. 🙂
Well, thank you.
I did not even read the entire post and it helped me.
I started reading then quickly scrolled to the bottom and read the questions you suggested we pose to ourself. In one minute I went from:
“The training will give you information most families planning for college are unaware of – information that can help you navigate what may be one of the biggest purchases of your life.”
to:
“The information you’ll learn in this training will throw open your mind to new possibilities and arm you with essential know-how as you navigate the (often) daunting college admissions journey!”
Maybe not perfect but I think way better! And so quickly!
I’ve learned a ton from you! Thank you!!!
You didn’t read the whole post??? That made me laugh!
I love the changes you’ve made. Be careful with redundant words:
The information you’ll learn inthis training will throw open your mind to new possibilities and … etc.Thank you! And I did slow down and go back and read it all! 🙂
No worries, you’re welcome to skim and read only the parts that you find useful! 😀
Thanks so much for all your writing insight! I have learned so much especially when I started writing product content for my website!
That makes me happy. Thank you for stopping by to let me know, Deb. Happy writing!
Hello Henneke, this wonderful post took me by the hand and encouraged me to write for my life. I found you by Googling how to make your copy sparkle. I’m so happy to have your prose shine on me!
Sparkle is one of my favorite words. 🙂
Thank you for your lovely comment, Shelia!
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I’m getting a bad case of copywriter envy.
Awww. Thank you. I’m feeling a little envious of Henrietta who seems to have a good time with Pooh and Piglet. Is it possible to envy a cartoon character?
Genius! I love this…. just need to try to put it into practice now. Thank you!
Thank you, Ally. I’ll pass on your thanks to Pooh! 🙂
And then the blog is done and she lies down in a snug little corner and curls up on herself 😉
Indeed. Both of us. My friend P. has fallen asleep, and I’m reading a good book. 😉
You do have a delightful way with words, Henneke.
Thank you, Diane. I’ve learned a lot from Pooh 🙂
I have started at least four novels and abandoned all of them because they were “boring.” The characters were boring. The writing was boring. I was bored (I yawned). Maybe — just maybe — personification, metaphor, and writing in a way that reaches the senses are just the ticket. I’d like to pull readers into my writing, but first, I’d be on Cloud 9 if I could pull myself in.
That’s such a wise comment—to feel excited to write about something because your readers will surely sense if you’re bored out of your mind with whatever you’re writing. I hope you’ll find your mojo soon!
Two illustrations of Henrietta, Pooh and Piglet! That act alone gets a commendation from me!
Thank you, Stan. It looks like Henrietta likes Pooh and Piglet a lot! 🙂
Thanks a million!
I write about well-being with nature and can’t wait to put the Winnie the Pooh technique to use to bring abstract concepts to life.
Great! And what a wonderful topic to write about—how nature can improve our well-being.
Such a warm yet impactful post! And the tip is so easy to remember with Pooh!
Yes, I rather remember Winnie the Pooh than the rather boring term personification, too 🙂
Wow. Great analogies! As always, this blog is like a mini-masterclass. ❤️?
Thank you, Kathy. It took me a while to find examples I liked enough to be able to write a post about this topic.
Great examples Henneke, very clear. I’ll try to put this advice into practice. I used to do it more when writing fiction but there’s nothing that prevents me from doing the same with blog posts. Dankjewel!
Go for it—let your fiction writing inspire your blogging!