If you answered yes to either of these questions, you should have noticed an improvement in your writing, and possibly an improvement in the speed at which you are able to write. But, that’s not all. You will also find it easier to think of topics to write about.
This is especially true if you do article marketing or ghostwrite articles for other writers, blogs, or businesses. The more articles you write, the better you’ll get at it. The more writing of any type you do, the better you’ll get, just like the adage, ‘practice makes perfect.’
But, what does it mean to get better at writing?
Structure
One aspect of writing improvement is the ability to create a well structured article or story. It should begin with an interesting or hooking introduction. The beginning lets the reader know what the piece will be about. And, it should move smoothly into the middle. You might think of the beginning as the appetizer to a meal.
The middle is the content substance. You let the reader know what the story will be about in the beginning, the middle follows through and embellishes on the topic. The middle is the meat and potatoes of the story or article, and it should move smoothly into the ending, or conclusion.
The ending wraps things up. It should wrap up any loose ends and tie the piece up into a nice package. It needs to leave the reader satisfied. You can think of the ending as the dessert.
The more you write, the easier it becomes to create content that is well structured and smooth.
Focus
Another aspect writers strive for in their writing is clarity. Along with a well structure piece, you need it to be clear, easily understood. It needs to have focus.
Think of your story as having a road map. You need to get from point A to point C (beginning, middle, and end) with as little deviation as possible. Your reader is following you down the road and you don’t want to lose him.
If you give your reader any reason to pause or divert his attention from the main point of your story, you’ll lose him. People have a short attention span today; they want the information as quickly as possible and with as little effort as possible.
If you write non-fiction and your topic is about health, don’t go off on a tangent about today’s political climate, unless it’s in regard to the stress it adds to your everyday life, and thus the harmful effects it has on your health.
The more you write, the easier it becomes to create content that is focused and lean.
The Writing Time Issue
There are a number of writers who give themselves daily writing quotas. Some may choose thirty minutes a day, others 500 to 1000 words per day. There are also those writers who feel too pressured having to fulfill a daily writing quota, so they choose to create weekly quotas, or just set time aside for writing.
One problem just about every writer faces is time. Even if you work from home, by the time you read and respond to your emails, keep up with your blogs, do your social networking, and keep up your family and household duties, the day can just slip away. That’s why it’s so important to have some kind of weekly writing plan or schedule in place and do your best to stick to it.
Bottom line, if you’re a writer it’s important to write regularly, if not every day, as often as you can. As with any craft, the more you practice or work at it, the better you’ll get.
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MORE ON WRITING
How to Choose the Right Editor
Conflict is Key
Imagery and Your Story
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Karen Cioffi
Multi-award Winning Author, Freelance/Ghostwriter, Editor, Online Marketer
Writer’s Digest Website of the Week, June 25, 2012
http://karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com
http://karencioffifreelancewriter.com
4 comments:
Karen, you're so right about the practicing thing. I play the flute, and it's very clear that there is no improvement there without practice. The same thing, IMO, applies to writing.
I have a day job, so my writing time is limited -- and that makes me far more productive than if I didn't. I write in the evening before bed and on the weekends, and sometimes in the middle of the night or early in the morning. When I have lots of time, on the other hand, I fritter it away on trivia.
Karen, I absolutely need a writing schedule to be productive.
Margaret, I admire you and those who work full time and make the time for their writing. I think you need to be more disciplined. Sorry for the delay in responding, still catching up from the hurricane.
Mary Jo, I need to be more structured also and create a writing schedule I actually stick to!
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