How to write to have an impact

A conversation, a divinely worded paragraph in a book you are reading or perhaps a random act of kindness you were fortunate to witness has you excited. The sparks are flying, ideas are flowing and you’re feeling inspired to write a blog post, an article or a story to share with your readers; something that they will find value in.

You start typing, a little manically at first, afraid that you might lose your train of thought. Words, intrigue and thought bubbles spill onto the page.

Ok, it’s a tad scattered but you’re getting it down, translating for the muse so to speak.

The words aren’t exactly the words you want to be using to describe this message, but hey, you can always go back and make those edits.

On the tip of your tongue is the expression you are after, but you can’t seem to find it. The line which would capture the essence with such poetic grace, your readers would be nodding in uniform agreement.

Vague descriptions sit in place of fine-tuned statements. It feels… hollow. Something is missing. It’s lacking power; the juice that gets people’s heads turning.

Then you pause.

You ask yourself: Does this even make sense to anyone else who is not in my head?

Then that imposter strides on in.

Who wants to read about this anyway? Is it even any good?

The momentum is lost. That initial high of inspiration has fizzled along with your idea. The copy joins the folder of countless unfinished drafts and random musings that sits on your laptop, and you’re left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied.

Can you relate? Sounding a little too familiar? If you are a writer (or have dabbled with the world of words), I’m sure you have ridden this creative curve more than a few times. I certainly have.

A privileged accolade

I have some humbling news to share.

News that plants a big cheesy smile on my face.

Five fellow bloggers have selected Paper Planes Connect for The Liebester Award – an award system among blog creators acknowledging the fine efforts of their writing companions. It has German origins and translates to mean ‘dearest’ or ‘valued’ among other endearing terms.

A big warm thank you to Nikki deVet, Ariadne Kaps, Jennifer Kennedy, Carly Jennings and Meegs Gogall for recognising the value of Paper Planes Connect and its stories. It means the world to me and the connectors on this page.

I have answered the 10 questions each blogger have asked of me below. Think soul-stirring secrets. Getting comfortable with big fears. Sharing deeply rooted desires and dreams.

So, let’s begin shall we?

Nikki from nikkidevet.com is a seeker exploring how to create a life she loves living

How did you end up at this exact point in your life?


With belief, positive action, compassion and a whole lot of love and support from my nearest and dearest.

What was your New Year’s resolution for 2014?


I didn’t necessarily carve up a resolution this year. Instead, I followed Danielle LaPorte’s suite and centred on how I wanted to FEEL. This year my word is Light (in all its marvellous carnations!)

What is your favourite city and why?

As someone who adores jungles and the sea, cities haven’t always been my cup of tea, but I must say that I love London. It’s got charm and royal flair. Its trimmed edges are juxtaposed with quirky and arty expression.  It’s a place of counter cultures. Multiculturalism at its finest. I love walking down the street and seeing a lady dressed in a hijab with child in hand; a man playing his harmonica to Bob Marley beats in the name of freedom; a lady in her sixties dressed so eloquently in a finely pressed suite with a fashion label that probably predates her ancestors.

Are you head or heart driven?

Heart, though I consciously check-in with myself when the head and heart play tugger war.

What is your favourite quote?

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” – Maya Angelou (I adore Maya!)

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

Craziet, yet best? Stepped out of the expectation mold, left security behind and embraced hands with wild and free.

Blog-Hearted

I flick back to the pages of my diary, to April 2013, and read these words:

“I want to create a space for storytelling and exchange, with advocacy and human rights at its core. An online pocket for positivity, creative exploration, social inquiry, and community building.”

Then below, I read this note to myself:

“Remember Leah, to accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream, not only plan but also believe.”

More than one year on, it’s almost surreal to see these early ideas scribbled among the pages of my ear-bent, post-it tagged, leaflet holding, multi-highlighted diary, which is falling apart at its seams (held together by a large pink elastic band) that has been lugged from Australia and across Europe, northern Africa and into Asia. This very diary has been my comrade on late night bus trips, during flight delays and rocky voyages, on sun soaked beaches and during days in the park, and of course, while sipping on many a chai in cafes and restaurants.

This diary carries with it the very beginnings of what is unraveling day-by-day: my dream, my vision, my penultimate idea.

Photo by Jason Di-Candilo @billthebadger

To create an online space, which shares stories of people, groups and projects that are BEING THE CHANGE we want to see in the world (as an appropriation of the Gandhi quote). Stories which aim to augment people's understanding of the world, bolster greater connection, inspire and build opportunities for collective action, and ultimately, radically change the world.

And what do you know? That’s what I’ve created. A feat aided and supported by the Bright-Eyed and Blog-Hearted online 8-week course by Rachel MacDonald from In Spaces Between.