Writing Articles

1. 61

   vmd7878posted 10 years ago

   Can anyone tell me why it is so hard for me to write an article, even a 500 word article, when others just breeze right through it.

   replyreport
   1. 77

      LuisEGonzalezposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Here is something that often helps me; sign in to Google Alerts. Input any topic that interest you and it will email you daily alerts.

      replyreport
      1. 82

         joween18posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Hi, thank you for this.. I just discovered something new again

         replyreport
   2. 60

      Jo_Goldsmith11posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The best thing to do would pick out some words that come to mind.
      As an example. winter, list, 2014, cold, snow
      The next step would be, take the few words you created.
      in this example it is winter, list, 2014, snow, cold
      
      You can begin with any word in your list. Let's say we chose
      Winter.  So, you then begin "The winter in 2014 is cold. I thought I would enjoy the time spent keeping warm, by making a list of why I don't like snow."  There is your first 26 words in that sentence. You have children.
      I am sure there are many ideas you could find to write about as they could be your muse and inspiration. :-)

      replyreport
2. 71

   relacheposted 10 years ago

   What sorts of education and experience do you have with writing?  Like many skills, writing is often something that is learned, practiced and refined over time.  If you haven't learned how to do it, it's often more challenging.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      +1

      replyreport
   2. 61

      vmd7878posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Just the basic and what I have learned so far on my own

      replyreport
3. 61

   Martin Heeremansposted 10 years ago

   How are you writing your articles, as in do you just create the article as you type?
   
   Do you write about fields you know or just areas you are interested in?

   replyreport
   1. 61

      vmd7878posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Honestly I usually read about something and then I just write about, for me it is hard finding the words to put in, instead of just copying what they said, I know that is not allowed. I usually will read a paragraph and then try to write about that same paragraph but in my own words and sometimes I find that even hard to do.

      replyreport
      1. 83

         Marcy Goodfleischposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Rewording something written by another person is a violation of HubPages' Terms of Service.  It's also called 'spun' content.  Many people want to make money on the Internet (on sites such as this), but aren't aware that writing is a skill, a craft and a career field.
         
         Your best writing will be about topics you know (or have fully and independently researched). The tips you've read here about how to write are a great start in developing those skills.  But make certain your work is original.
         
         As with every profession, not everyone is a writer. Moat people can learn to be competent writers (or at least learn to avoid mistakes and learn the basics), but if you don't actually enjoy writing, it will be difficult to make a go of it (financially) on this site. Readers can spot forced writing (it comes across as stiff, awkward, and hard to follow). This is also true of spun content.  Hubs that are lifted from other sites (even if reworded) will eventually get flagged and can get a person banned from the site.
         
         Think of topics you already know (your hobbies, interests, etc.) and write informative hubs on those topics. You'll find plenty of tips on this site that will help you none your skills as you go along.
         
         Best of luck!

         replyreport
      2. 84

         Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         If all you're doing is taking an article that's already published, and putting it into your own words, you're wasting your time.
         
         Your article will simply be in competition with the article you've based it on, and it's likely your article will lose.  You can't make money on HubPages unless you're getting 80% or 90% of your traffic from the search engines.  If your article can't offer something better than, or different to, what's already listed on Google, it won't stand a chance of getting on the first page and getting visitors.
         
         By all means, do research - but that means reading a whole variety of articles, making notes, and then writing a new angle on the subject in your own words.

         replyreport
      3. 70

         erinshelbyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         "Honestly I usually read about something and then I just write about, for me it is hard finding the words to put in, instead of just copying what they said, I know that is not allowed. I usually will read a paragraph and then try to write about that same paragraph but in my own words and sometimes I find that even hard to do."
         
         vmd7878,
         If that's the kind of writing you're doing, it sounds like you're responding to what's already been created. That type of writing doesn't leave a lot of room for your original ideas and thoughts.
         You can check out my hubs on writer's block, but until you have time to read those, think about what your natural gifts and interests are. It will probably be easiest to write about those things. What unique idea or perspective can you bring to that area? I see your profile pic has a football image, so is there anything football-related you can explain, in your own words?
         For example: not everyone can explain football's rules, how to play football, what the playoffs are, etc.
         Go with your strengths, and the more you write REAL (not plagiarized) articles, the better you will get.

         replyreport
         1. 70

            erinshelbyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            *thought it had a football image...mistook the green for a jersey... football fever is alive here!

            replyreport
         2. 61

            vmd7878posted 10 years agoin reply to this

            erinselby
            Thank you for the information and I do like football, but my profile picture is me standing next Dale Jr.'s car. I go to the Dover race every year with a bunch of friends. But what you have said I will keep in mind. Thank you

            replyreport
4. 90

   OanaWriterposted 10 years ago

   I suggest getting a structure in place. I used to struggle as well. Sometimes I simply  layout my article and just put down a few bullet points. So I may do something like:
   
   Intro:
   define subject
   present article in one sentence
   
   heading 1 title
   
   heading 2 title
   
   heading 3 title
   
   conclusion
   
   I then try to work through each part, and, especially if I need to carry out research, I read things and come back to add points, words, bullet points, just briefly on each section.
   
   From there I go on and write it. This structure, which is quite basic I guess, helped me drag through articles, especially for topics I wasn't particularly passionate about.
   
   Hope it helped!

   replyreport
5. 81

   VictoriaSheffieldposted 10 years ago

   Writing is easy for me when I am writing about something I am passionate about.
   Something that I know a lot about!

   replyreport
6. 61

   vmd7878posted 10 years ago

   I want to tank everyone on here for all the information that you are giving me, it is helping me to understand what I have to do. Thank you so much and my best wishes to all of you.
   
   Vicki

   replyreport
7. 89

   William15posted 10 years ago

   I think it's important to have several key points to make in each Hub before you decide to write it. With this outline in mind, it doesn't take much to flesh each one out and then tie it back together.

   replyreport
8. 47

   Claire Roachposted 10 years ago

   What's your niche?

   replyreport