Predatory birds are known as ‘raptors’. Its entomology can be traced to the Latin term – rapere – meaning ‘to seize by force’. They are expert hunters, and their sensory capabilities are irrefutable. The prey may be cognizant of these extraordinary skills, but still they are snatched away by force. Large and medium-sized birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, shrikes, ospreys, harriers, and vultures were categorized as raptors. Bee-eaters may tear apart dragonflies. Orioles may viciously attack and devour insects. But when a raptor moves in for the kill, it seems built for it.
Similarly, there is little fuss in categorizing content generators. They are lumped into a single category. Collectively, they are known as writers. A doctor scribbles on the notepad. A lawyer chooses his words carefully while writing a letter. A musician puts pen to paper while composing lyrics. Even business consultants draft emails about how much value they create – without laughing their butts off over these preposterous claims. But they do not go through the process that writers do while communicating their thoughts.
Writers are judged by everyone and their mothers because it seems like the easiest skill to acquire. Unless handcuffed or missing a couple of fingers, anyone can take a shot at it, right?
Well, you ought to ask yourself if you are any closer to becoming a doctor just because you can afford a scalpel.
I have been in the writing profession for over 15 years. But even before that, words were how I used to shut myself off from the world. They were my exit signs. In my 30s, as my love for birdwatching bloomed, I began to view the process of writing differently. Words turned into trapdoors through which I found my way into the world. I sneaked in when nobody else was around. I could leave whenever I wanted to.
Over the years, I have observed that raptors are constantly honing their crafts. They are always on the perennial look-out for opportunities to make their nests safer, keep invasive neighbors at bay, and target prey from afar. They let their natural instincts guide their actions. I have had many encounters with them – some of which have helped me to become a better writer.
Here are a few writing lessons you can pick up from these gorgeous raptors.
Be patient – like a Crested Serpent Eagle that soars – with neither hesitance nor hastiness – until it spots a snake in the grass. Then, strike the right tone with deadly accuracy.

If you are in a bad mood, get over your temptation to write about the source. Your copy is not a good listener. Neither are your readers. You will be surprised at how less they care about your life. Why should they? You are not Truman. The show will go on even after a water lorry mows you down. Remember, your readers want to be engaged with your content. Your state of mind is merely your concern. They want to relate to your perspectives while being exposed to new ones. Do not bore them with inane narratives. Why you feel lousy on a particular day is your problem – not theirs.
If you are emotionally wrought with dissonance, stick to taking notes. Set aside your fears about losing momentum on what may be an interesting subject matter. It will come to you, in portions that matter, when you feel calmer. Do not spill out your emotions. Let them gently leak out.
Be like a Black Kite – one of the most adaptive birds. They survive in a variety of terrains because they rely on their skills to adapt to the ecosystem. Harness yours as a writer to rise above your location preferences.

You can write anywhere. Inside a dingy bathroom at a highway motel. Or on a lawn chair – facing a river, with hills lording the ground below. There is no such thing as the right place – only the right frame of mind. You can never be too distracted to write. Laziness is a writer’s true curse.
Hence, write often and with purpose. Make mistakes and learn from them. First, navigate your way through the lethargy of being choosy about the environment.
Be like a Sparrowhawk, and explore your commitment to words. Also known as the Shikra, it is a shy small-sized raptor that takes down birds in mid-air. It uses every action to its advantage. So, do not waste an ounce of your energy in exercising a casual attitude towards your craft.

Treat anything you write with sanctity, no matter the medium or the audience. The next era of hieroglyphics is not yet looking for goodwill ambassadors. So, go easy with those exclamation marks and emoticons. There are words at your disposal. The English vocabulary is a gift that keeps on giving. Use it wisely. Each movement you make as a writer is sacred.
You would never use a ‘kissing’ face in an article to be contributed to a magazine of repute. Then, why do it all, irrespective of who gets to see it?
Be focused, like the Common Kestrel, on getting through to the reader. It has one of the highest success rates in surviving the indiscriminate use of pesticides that affect other raptors. Regurgitate the drama and replenish your content with honesty and simplicity.

Phrase things as they are instead of what you want them to be. Wasteful adjectives can diminish the quality of content. Save the over-the-top sentiments for impressing bibliophiles on Tinder. Ask yourself – was the weather “amazing”? Was watching that movie an “awe-inspiring” experience? Were you “heartbroken” or just “annoyed”?
Readers have meta-experiences with your words. They walk in your shoes. When you exaggerate reality, you distort it. Both you and the reader are likely to lose sight of the big picture.
Remember that writing may allow you to flex your creative muscles but that freedom is bereft of responsibility. Without a line of vision or a plan of attack, you end up wildly swinging and missing your mark with the reader.
All useful reminders. Be the sparrowhawk! On a separate but sort of related topic, I’ve discovered a new kind of writer’s block – an abundance of ideas which really amounts to a lack of focus I think. How to narrow down what you want to write about when your head is buzzing with ideas. But, hey, I’m not complaining. (Note: I didn’t put an exclamation mark there even though I desperately wanted to.)
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Thanks Susanne!
Having one’s head abuzz with brave new possibilities can’t be all that bad, can it? Unless they were caused by nanobots. Those theiving fiends. Maybe it’s a good idea to jot down pointers, for exclamation, in the future (just shoot me now).
Happy writing, Susanne! (Just one please)
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I’ve written and taught writing all my professional life. I’ve often thought that the accessibility of just plain bad writing on the Internet has done us all great harm. But then I come upon something like this, and my hope is restored. I just wish people realized how much precise writing or its opposite can influence thinking. Current affairs in the U.S. Clearly demonstrate that we’re in trouble that way.
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I feel humbled that you think that way about this piece, Jane. Thank you.
I read recently that comedian Louis CK uses a Desktop that is perennially offline to add structure to his writing. Perhaps old school is the new (new) school.
As for recent politics, it’s the same here too, dear friend. A bunch of frightening hullabaloo.
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Nice one there Christy . Your article was very enlightening to me. Perhaps owing to the fact that I’m new to blogging and have been thinking of a perfect way to post my first blog. And I do hope these sparrowhawks will help me improve . I will keep in touch
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Tis lovely to hear a reader say that, I wish you brightly-lit corridors of your mins to sneak into and I hope the sparrowhawks do you good too.
Thanks for stopping by. I will be sure to visit yours soon!
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I just recently started writing. If no one reads it it is not my loss. If they do good. One day I will do as you say. For now I will write and post using my seven inch Samsung tablet until a laptop is affordable. What you have published and shared is good stuff to put into practice.
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That’s exactly the sort of attitude that leads to substantially better writing! I am glad you feel that way.
Thanks for reading!
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Thanks for these teaching points, especially the need for short concise sentences and fewer superlatives. I’m working on this and enjoy your writing.
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Pleasure is certainly mine, Stephen. Thank you for dropping by again, kind sire.
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First birding, now writing. It is almost as if you are trying to create a better world. Beware.
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Hahaha that’s way more credit than I possibly deserve. A better world. Gosh. Such a frightening scenario that would be, comrade (smile)
Thanks Madhu for connecting like you do.
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🙂
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Birds and better worlds? Wildness and writing? Words of wisdom, humbly offered, signposts on the seeker’s path? Lessons from the natural world flying in our faces. There is comfort in the knowing that others are climbing the same mountain, their journeys unseen but not unfelt.
Write on!
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Thank you Tio. “Unseen but not unfelt” – let that be our anthem, dear friend!
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Reblogged this on Travels with Tio and commented:
I wholeheartedly recommend this blog for it’s wisdom, wit, and examples of good writing.
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I wait for your new posts Christy. Words, wit and wisdom, you have a way with them. I am a baby to the blogging world, how I wish i could say babe! (sorry couldn’t resist) Just 5 months in, stealing time between work, life and two boys to write. Baby that I am, it didn’t strike me to read About You on your blog to know more. I did today, after this post, and so much finally made sense. So happy to know that you are a professional writer, creative consultant and such. Would’ve been a waste of your talent and a loss for the rest of us if you wrote only when you could. I went for a Writers Retreat recently and much of your post brought it back. I had a smile on my face as I was reading ,walking to the gym (made the workout that much easier today (wink) since emoticons are ruled out. Sorry for the rather long comment, but just wanted to say that I am thrilled you stopped by at my blog earlier. It gives me validation to keep at it. But more importantly, I might not have discovered your’s sooner and missed all my ‘smiling as I am reading’ moments. Loved the post, like the rest of ’em.
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Sorry for long comment? Are you kidding me? You gave me a severe case of the jollies!
Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts with me. I am humbled and pleasantly surprised that I can even begin to inspire (if I may boldly use that word) you to write more. It’s really one of the reasons that I write – in hope of inspiring others. The other being that I don’t like doing anything else, besides birding, as much. What I do love is interacting with readers, and this is one of those moments that make me feel all tomato-red with happiness.
Thanks again, S. Can’t wait to haunt your space again!
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Being inspired is, sharing this post frantically with all blogger, writer friends. I just did. Oh c’mon I so want to use a smiley with flushed cheeks now. Damn you writing rules. Looking forward to the next post Christy.
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(Blooming-est smile!)
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That is really inspiring.I am really amazed at the way you had put the thoughts throughout.
Keep writing!!!!! I have a lot to learn from you.
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How wonderfully humbling to hear that. Thank you Sirius, do come back.
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I loved this setting it against the birds is genius!
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