Learning to Write Better Articles
Last Update: July 13, 2012
Well with all the writing I have attempted to complete over the last few days it looks like I need to educate myself in the art of writing a quality article. So once again I have to evaluate my process to reach my goals and include that in my education related time. I hate to have to admit this considering writing was always my strong subject in college. I could crank out a 10 page term paper in a few hours including research and proofreading.
I have some articles from WA bookmarked and I know I have some books around here somewhere to aid in my education process. I also borrowed some for my Kindle and I am on a mission to learn how to write a better article. Writing is a skill I could also use to make extra money as a freelancer or even in a traditional job so I know it is not a waste of time.
I am slowly but surely leaning to relax and go with the flow. I am not new to writing but I have not practiced the skill enough the last few years and I think my vocabulary has shrunk as I tend to use the same phrases over and over again.
I submitted my second Street Article and I have been writing up blog posts but I can't seem to keep a narrow topic. I realize that some of the articles I start writing could be 5 or 10 articles but I always feel like I have to write it all down in one shot. I am going to have to get a brainstorming paper and electronic journal going to keep track of ideas so they don't get lost in the jumbled mess in my head. Hopefully all of these resources will help me to get on track with writing.
Any tips, tricks or websites you have would be appreciated. In the mean time baby steps on all the technical stuff while I work on improving my writing skills.
One last note, in case your sick of reading my thoughts I am really sorry! I am using this blog to track my progress and how my thought process changes as I move along. It also gives me more writing experience. If you are tired of my blogs feel free to say so but as long as I am allowed I will continue to post them a few times a week. Sarcasm and constructive criticism is welcome at all times. As long as you don't attack me as a person I am all good!
I have some articles from WA bookmarked and I know I have some books around here somewhere to aid in my education process. I also borrowed some for my Kindle and I am on a mission to learn how to write a better article. Writing is a skill I could also use to make extra money as a freelancer or even in a traditional job so I know it is not a waste of time.
I am slowly but surely leaning to relax and go with the flow. I am not new to writing but I have not practiced the skill enough the last few years and I think my vocabulary has shrunk as I tend to use the same phrases over and over again.
I submitted my second Street Article and I have been writing up blog posts but I can't seem to keep a narrow topic. I realize that some of the articles I start writing could be 5 or 10 articles but I always feel like I have to write it all down in one shot. I am going to have to get a brainstorming paper and electronic journal going to keep track of ideas so they don't get lost in the jumbled mess in my head. Hopefully all of these resources will help me to get on track with writing.
Any tips, tricks or websites you have would be appreciated. In the mean time baby steps on all the technical stuff while I work on improving my writing skills.
One last note, in case your sick of reading my thoughts I am really sorry! I am using this blog to track my progress and how my thought process changes as I move along. It also gives me more writing experience. If you are tired of my blogs feel free to say so but as long as I am allowed I will continue to post them a few times a week. Sarcasm and constructive criticism is welcome at all times. As long as you don't attack me as a person I am all good!
Join the Discussion
@RICH.
Premium
Hey Carrie. I sympathise. I'm a fellow sufferer. I've blogged-and-blogged... about my inability to string my sentences into coherent posts or articles. Just had a highly critical crowd round for lunch to critique my lack of writing skills, just blogged about that too! I'll keep my fingers x'd for you. Rich.
sundcarrie
Premium
Thanks I wish you luck too! I took a lot of writing classes in college and did well so I know I can do it I just have to learn to shrink things. I am used to writing 10 pages to get my point across not less than 10 paragraphs. You can do it to I am sure anyone can if they keep trying!
Shawn Martin
Premium
Glad you wrote this. Do what I did when I got here. Go and follow the top 10 writers and read their articles and see how they do it. When you have a question, ask. It really is that simple. Good luck and feel free to give me a shout if you need help!
Ty Johnson
Premium
First don't be sorry for blogging, if people don't like it, they don't have to follow you. Second my advice is this, write the full article on your blog, the whole complete thing...then write what I like to call teasers for SA, make sure you offer good information but don't spill the beans.
If people want to read the rest they will click your links, if they don't want to then having them read the full thing wouldn't do you much good.
If people want to read the rest they will click your links, if they don't want to then having them read the full thing wouldn't do you much good.
BIS
Premium
Hi
I read you blog with interest because aricle writing is one of my specialities and I write for other people as well as myself. These are my immediate thoughts.
1. Do not apologise for expressing your thoughts. Negative self-talk takes up too much energy and is pointless.
2. Writing takes practice and it's something i advise you to do every day. (though from what you've said it's not going to be a problem.
3. Start using a formula for your writing. Intoduction, 3 or 4 paragraphs and summary/conclusion. Plan wgat's going to be included it will keep you focussed.
4. Start writing with a timer. I don't know how long you are currently taking to write an article. but one way of controlling your urge to write forever is to time things. To start out allow yourself 3/4 of an hour to write and 15 minutes to edit. Be tough with yourself and stick to it. Eventually you want to reduce that to approx 20 minutes for writing and 5 minutes editing. It's the only way if you enventually want to earn extra money from your writing.
5 Have a schedule - Don't write on an adhoc basis (unless you have time to do a little bit extra. Plan topics - at least one month at a time. (I always have at least 3 months ahead and at the moment I'm working on a 6 month schedule. I also add it time to react to up to date news stories that affect my niche.
6. Break up your writing with headings and bullet points. The majority of people skim content. (Only 16% read all the copy on a page. Make it easy for them.
7. Belief in yourself. You can do lots of reading about the rights and wrongs of writing but you stil have to believe in yourself and develop your own style. I write in very long sentences as demonstrated here. That's not everyone's taste but it is my personal style and the one I use for my own work. I still have a lot of readers because what I offer is good - so learn from others but believe in yourself.
Hope this helps
Beverley
I read you blog with interest because aricle writing is one of my specialities and I write for other people as well as myself. These are my immediate thoughts.
1. Do not apologise for expressing your thoughts. Negative self-talk takes up too much energy and is pointless.
2. Writing takes practice and it's something i advise you to do every day. (though from what you've said it's not going to be a problem.
3. Start using a formula for your writing. Intoduction, 3 or 4 paragraphs and summary/conclusion. Plan wgat's going to be included it will keep you focussed.
4. Start writing with a timer. I don't know how long you are currently taking to write an article. but one way of controlling your urge to write forever is to time things. To start out allow yourself 3/4 of an hour to write and 15 minutes to edit. Be tough with yourself and stick to it. Eventually you want to reduce that to approx 20 minutes for writing and 5 minutes editing. It's the only way if you enventually want to earn extra money from your writing.
5 Have a schedule - Don't write on an adhoc basis (unless you have time to do a little bit extra. Plan topics - at least one month at a time. (I always have at least 3 months ahead and at the moment I'm working on a 6 month schedule. I also add it time to react to up to date news stories that affect my niche.
6. Break up your writing with headings and bullet points. The majority of people skim content. (Only 16% read all the copy on a page. Make it easy for them.
7. Belief in yourself. You can do lots of reading about the rights and wrongs of writing but you stil have to believe in yourself and develop your own style. I write in very long sentences as demonstrated here. That's not everyone's taste but it is my personal style and the one I use for my own work. I still have a lot of readers because what I offer is good - so learn from others but believe in yourself.
Hope this helps
Beverley
sundcarrie
Premium
Thank you for the valuable information! I do believe that I can write I just need to work on the mechanics and like you said write everyday.
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