How to write good articles? Guide to newbies.

‘Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go’-E.L.Doctorow

Do you feel writing articles a monumental affair?

Does your brain go blank when you sit before the computer to write?

I too was very doubtful.

I experienced all these feeling when I began writing. Do you know how long I took to finish my first article? It took me two months to write my first article. After finishing my article, I went through what I had written and I was very apprehensive of my English, the content and the general flow of the article.

I felt myself very lacking when I compared myself with the other writers in the internet. How well informed they were, their writing style seemed awesome and I was terrified that my articles will be laughed at and no one will even glance at my article.

The other authors were well educated and an expert in their own field. I was nothing compared to them. I was just an English graduate and a complete novice to computer. I did not know typing. How was I ever going to fulfill my dream of being a good writer?

‘No I cannot do it’ I told myself. I stopped writing after my first article. It was my brother who motivated me to get started again. He told me that experiences in life were the topmost master and I was very rich in it. He told me to be simple in my narration and to write positive articles from the many traumatic experiences I under went in my life.

I found that I had a flair for writing.

Well, I did have a flair for writing! I stopped comparing myself with others. I made a decision to make my writing style simple, down-to-earth and sincere. I started writing with renewed energy. My writing seemed to have improved, I type a little faster and I am able to write three articles per day. An achievement as far I am concerned. If I can write, so can you! The first thing to do is to have confidence in you.

Why this long tale about me, you might wonder? It is just to tell you that your initial doubts need not hold you back. When you keep trying you too can master the art of writing.

‘Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish’-John Jakes.

Do not imitate others!

Do not make the mistake of imitating the style of other writers. You should have your own unique writing style. If you imitate others you will be just a Xerox copy with no individuality of your own. Your viewers should be able to indentify your writing with you.

Confidence in writing!

Write with confidence and there should be some useful information for the viewers, so that they begin to gain confidence in your writing. Before you realize you will have your own loyal readers who keep coming back to you again and again for the articles you have for them.

Write from your experience

Research about what you are going to write. You can write from your experience also. I wrote an article about diabetes. I did not know the medical aspect of diabetes, but I had a personal experience about this disorder as my husband was a diabetic. My article dealt with how diabetes affected people psychologically and how to handle it.

Another article of mine dealt with internet. Not that well versed in the technical aspect of internet, I wrote about how internet was affecting human relationship and how parents should be wary of the internet usage of their children. So you can see that the topics are all around you and you just have to add your angle to it.

Everyone sees and assumes a different angle about everything that exists in the world. If you have a different way of seeing things, write about your way of thinking of that problem or experience.

Be sincere and passionate

You should be sincere in your writing. You should be passionate of what you are writing. If you are superficial, it will reflect in your writing and your article will be without life and depth. Are you passionate about health? If so, write articles about your version of health related problems.

No grammatical errors!

Your articles should be grammatically correct, with no spelling mistakes. Always go through what you have written and make it error free. Another golden rule is not to submit your articles immediately after you have written it. Take some time and then read your article again and again. Definitely you will have better ideas and you will improvise on what you had written.

Simple language will do!

Do not use high flung words which will be difficult to understand and viewers will skip over your article. Have you heard public speakers making a speech? Those who talk using bombastic word will have the audience yawning, whereas a speaker, simple in his words and honest in his narration catches the audience’s attention. He mesmerizes them by the sheer power of his simplicity and gets the maximum applause. It is the same with writing articles also. Your way of writing should be simple and effective.

An eye catching title does the trick!

A good title is also important in getting the attention of the viewers. Let your title be sharp and eye catching. It will take time for you get the knack of feeling the pulse of the viewers and as you keep on writing, you will master that technique.

Writing I think, is not apart from living. Writing is a kind of double living. The writer experiences everything twice. Once in reality and once in that mirror which waits always before or behind’-Catherine Drinker Bowen

After you start writing you will find yourself seeing the world with different eyes and nothing is more satisfying than to know people acknowledge your writing. Keep on writing and you will see word flowing effortlessly and you will start feeling deprived if do not write one day also.