Improving writing skills

Any advice

[vabtz]

I am here pounding out content but I am not pleased with the results. I gauge my content to be written at a high school level.

I have my college textbooks out and I am going over them. things I need to improve our my passive versus active voice, proper use of punctuation, so on and so on.

What I really think I need is a place to get feed back on the things I write so I can improve. Short of taking college english again does anyone have suggestions on where I could get that kind of feedback?

[timchuma]

I received some good advice from a freelance writer a couple of years ago which included the usual "buy a dictionary" and Strunk & White advice.

The most important piece of advice I was given was to put your work aside for a while and go over it again as you will pick up some things that are usually missed.

If you can, I recommend getting your friend or partner to read your copy before you post it.

Thanks.

[mcguffin]

vabtz,

One way to improve your writing is to improve your reading diet.

Find writers who write well (and who are known as great writers) and read every day. When you read, take your time. Notice how the author put ideas into sentences. Listen to the language, the pacing, and phrasing.

Over time, you'll learn a lot about writing that way.

[walrus]

<Notice how the author put ideas into sentences. Listen to the language, the pacing, and phrasing>

Sounds like great advice.
Being a high school drop out I find it rather challenging writing articles. Typing skills are just adequate as are the spelling skills.

Google article writing basics, there's tons of stuff.

[vabtz]

thanks for the advice.

the one I think I need to really look at is reading more. All I read anymore lately is research papers, news (WSJ) and forums. Most of those aren't great examples for someone like me.

Time to break out "Three Musketeers", Jules Verne, and some of my other old favorites :-)

[Matt Probert]

One way to improve your writing is to improve your reading diet.

Find writers who write well (and who are known as great writers) and read every day. When you read, take your time. Notice how the author put ideas into sentences. Listen to the language, the pacing, and phrasing.

I am a professional writer, and was about to offer exactly the same advice as above. Read well written works, Dickens is very good. Also a dictionary can help and a copy of 'Modern English Usage' by the Fowler brothers.

Matt

[Ptiza]

Exactly. Read more, and read better. And whenever you come across a word you don't understand, look it up. The dictionary is your friend.

[Webwork]

Is writing skill a requirement for success on the web?

One wouldn't think so.

Okay, now for the food stuff: Short sentences, 7 to 10 words. Short paragraphs, 3 to 4 sentences. Transition. Plan your flow before writing. If you can say it in fewer words do so. Use simple words, not fancy ones. Write from the heart and from experience. Relate what you write to your life. Keep a synonym/antonym dictionary at hand.

"The Elements of Style" is a good starting point.

[mcguffin]

Matt Probert suggested Dickens as a writer worth reading. In chapter four of David Copperfield, Dickens wrote a wonderful passage about reading:

[Reading] was my only and my constant comfort. When I think of it, the picture always rises in my mind, of a summer evening, the boys at
play in the churchyard, and I sitting on my bed, reading as if for life.

In the passage above, it's the narrator speaking, but Dickens described his childhood in similar words.

It's an amazing image of how someone could hunger for knowledge.

[willybfriendly]

Plan your flow before writing.

And, know your ending before you start your beginning.

Isaac Asimov once talked about writing the final paragraphs of his stories first.

WBF

[walrus]

I find POE a good influence,
Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered widgets weary...

[VegasRook]

You could tackle a gigantic reading list on writing and here are some of the points they all will touch on:

1. Read. How can you write if you don't read?

2. Don't simply write and be done with it. Follow the process of writing (IE write, revise, edit).

3. Write often. Writing is a craft--you don't improve without doing it.

4. When you think a piece is complete, store it away for 1-2 days then come back and see how you like it.

5. Find other writers to share with. By doing so, you will gain a lot of insight into your writing (or lack thereof) and excel quicker.

Having a dictionary and top notch thesaurus is a must as well.

Go to your favorite SE and type in "writing forum" and other keyword phrases you can think of. There are some nice places out there to share and learn.

Just be careful on taking advice. The world is full of "writers"--good writers, well, that is another matter. If someone recommends a change, don't just accept it. Find out why the change is better.

"Elements of Style" is a book that every good writer has read--read it.

[jlryan]

One thing about writing for the web is that it's more technical than any other medium. You've got to consider so much more, like writing how people read online, being search engine friendly, writing effective sales copy, adhering to DMOZ guidelines, being personal and pleasing the website owner.

Oh--and you've got to do it in internet-time.

Here's something that has really helped me with writing sales copy. "Tested Advertising Methods," by John Caples. Granted, it's not a basic writing book...but it's sure one of the best I've read about sales copy. A great compliment to the <h1> and <h2>.

Jennifer