Daily Writing Tips

**Cricket** · Share | #1 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010, 03:47 PM

Stop by this thread every day to read our writing tip of the day, or to share a tip with others!

Here is the first one to get us started . . .

I used to get the most wonderful ideas for articles and blog posts when I was nowhere near a computer. Of course, the minute I would sit down to write, I would forget every single one of them. I finally learned to carry a little notebook with me so I could jot the ideas down the moment they crossed my mind. Some folks just carry a little voice recorder with them to accomplish this.

bizminder · #2 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 12:56 AM

now that's a nice idea for all us writers here, I mean carrying a book would certainly help a lot. And it does happen that, the most random topics prove to be the most interesting one's.

gammaRascal · #3 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 09:30 AM

I have a mini-tape recorder beside my bed to record weird dreams and ideas when I wake up. Not so hot for coming up with or jotting down articles ideas or blog-related topics but, man, some of the stuff you mumble into the mic at 6am, with your eye's still closed and barely able to press the record button.

Not a bad idea to carry one with you either. They are cheap as dirt nowadays and can be found in most Drug Stores school supply isle for a few bucks.

**Cricket** · #4 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 11:03 AM

Do not count on spell check!

I am the world's worst proofreader, especially when it comes to my own stuff. My eyes see what my mind was thinking, not necessarily what the printed word says. Because of this, I try to always ask someone else to read my work before I publish it. If for some reason no one is around, I will read what I have written out loud. I don't know why that seems to help, but it does. I will catch far more typos that way.

alter-ego · #5 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 02:44 PM

Once you think your article is ready for publish, leave it for 24 hours and then proof read it one last time. The chances are you'll edit out a good portion of the uncessary fluff you would have otherwise missed.

AmySueN · #6 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 07:05 AM

Get enough sleep so you can think clearly and creatively.

Don't write when you're drunk, or for heaven's sake don't publish until you've read it over sober.

DocC · #7 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmySueN

Don't write when you're drunk, or for heaven's sake don't publish until you've read it over sober.

Oh, CRAP! I'll have to stop writing, then!

As alter-ego says, I always come back to review/edit the next day, especially when I'm writing for hire.

And I NEVER stop proofreading until I can get all the way through an article TWICE without making any changes or corrections. That means I nearly always spend a lot more time editing, than writing.

Benleem · #8 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 01:23 PM

I'm usually creative and flowing with motivation when half asleep or sleepy. The editing part is usually the problem.

mjtaylor · #9 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 09:06 PM

Everyone gets writer's block once in a while. When you get stuck, call a friend and tell them what you're trying to write about. If you listen to yourself while you tell your story, you may find the hook that starts the piece or gets your mojo to flow. They may ask a question that helps you focus your message. If it's two o'clock in the morning and there's no one to call, find a mirror and tell yourself. Still stuck? Do you usually write at the keyboard? Get out a pad and pencil and try scribbling. Use a tape recorder. Another trick for getting unstuck is to condense your message to one sentence. What are you really trying to get across? You may not use that sentence at all in the final draft or it may be the best sentence of the piece, but focusing on the end result may knock the block out of the way.

**Cricket** · #10 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 12:15 PM

When I am trying to truly write, I just start writing. I don't worry about spelling or grammar, or even of it makes sense. I just let my thoughts flow and worry about all the details later. Since I tend to write from my heart, this works for me.

alter-ego · #11 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 12:51 PM

When creating article drafts, do not be afraid to do so in point form. Its common to miss key ideas in writing simply because you were more focused or readability at the time of publish rather than delivering all the facts.

**HTMLBasicTutor** · #12 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 03:09 PM

A usability tip:

Quote:

Web readers skim text to form an overview or to locate specific information. Break content into easy-to-skim segments, and use headings to identify the subject of each segment.

Break up text into segments

jabo · #13 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 05:31 PM

English is not my first language and most of the time I have a lot of mistakes in my grammar and in my spelling and there are even times that I have a hard time expressing myself. What I do is I try to find someone and I try to describe that thought or feeling to him/her and they share their suggestions on how to write it best... I'm not perfect and getting help from a friend or co-worker is not a hard thing to do anyways. at some point when I get someone read an article or content for me, they even add a few more good ideas to add for the content which really helps a lot...

mjtaylor · #14 (**permalink**) 03-23-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabo

English is not my first language and most of the time I have a lot of mistakes in my grammar and in my spelling and there are even times that I have a hard time expressing myself. What I do is I try to find someone and I try to describe that thought or feeling to him/her and they share their suggestions on how to write it best... I'm not perfect and getting help from a friend or co-worker is not a hard thing to do anyways. at some point when I get someone read an article or content for me, they even add a few more good ideas to add for the content which really helps a lot...

I take my hat off to you and to anyone who writes so well in a second language.

Heck, I should take my hat off to anyone who can make themselves understood in a second language. It's more than I can say for myself.

hiqasim · #15 (**permalink**) 04-06-2010, 11:08 PM

I think before writing a killer article, we should have enough knowledge about which we are writing

**snakeair** · #16 (**permalink**) 04-07-2010, 06:50 AM

Here is a good blog post that i just got done reading. Very useful tips in it.

Quote:

Do you sound smarter when you use big words?

According to a study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology , the answer is no.

In fact, complex writing makes you sound small-minded. Just consider the title of the study: Consequences of erudite vernacular utilized irrespective of necessity: problems with using long words needlessly.

Continued at: 11 Smart Tips for Brilliant Writing

citrajitsaha03 · #17 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010, 12:44 AM

carrying a voice recorder is a very good thing to memorize innovative ideas

Janedoe · #18 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010, 11:18 PM

When I have decided on what I am going to write about I make a diagram with my core idea in the center and important points branching out from it. This helps mostly. However, at times my thoughts overtake my writing and I miss a lot of points. Its there in my head as I am writing and by the time I am done with the sentence the idea has passed.

Don't know how to deal with that!

**snakeair** · #19 (**permalink**) 07-15-2010, 08:46 AM

For the folks that English is not your first language, you might find some good tips to improve your skills on this blog.

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/

Very good blog.

(i will be reading this one myself. lol)

**snakeair** · #20 (**permalink**) 07-22-2010, 09:29 PM

I know the information in this blog post will be very old news to most people but it's still good to go by these tips when looking for an article writer.

Quote:

Whether you require an article writing service for SEO purposes or to create content for your website or publication, choosing the right article writer is essential in ensuring that your readers both trust you and make repeat visits to your website. Here’s what you need to look for in an article writer

Continued at: How to Choose an Article Writer

Additional Resource: 73 Ways to Become a Better Writer