Penelope Heart -

: Start with something that makes your stomach hurt to type. Genuine connection comes from being nervous to reveal too much or admitting to something embarrassing.

: Stop writing "straight-up career advice"—it's often boring. Instead, tell a story about your life—your kids, your relationship, or a specific failure—and weave the lesson into that narrative. penelope heart

: Good writing surprises people. If you aren't making emotional space to be surprised by your own thoughts, your post will likely feel "on track" but boring. : Start with something that makes your stomach hurt to type

To generate a proper blog post in the style of (who famously writes with "heart" and brutal honesty), you must pivot from generic advice to personal narrative. The "Penelope Trunk" Formula for a Great Blog Post penelope heart