5 Ways To Become A Better Writer
This is a guest post by Leighann
Obviously, if you’re going to have a blog it involves a lot of writing. There will be days when you will enjoy it, and days when it annoys the crap out of you.
But with some hard work and genuine effort, you can have an informative, interesting blog that will bring people in and even make you a little money. These are some simple steps you can take right now to improve your writing and blog your way to success.
1. Keep an ideas notebook with you at all times
You never know when inspiration will strike, and if you don’t write down your idea right away, you may forget and that means missing the best blog post you’ve ever written. I have a small “fat book” spiral notebook with a little pencil tied on with fishing line I take with me everywhere. With my travels, I never know what I’m going to see, and almost anything can inspire me, from a song, a book, a movie, a person, or a scene in a store. My ideas book is like an artist’s sketchbook. I jot down my impressions and daydreams. Some things are worthy of a blog post, some just end up being reveries and records of the day for me.
2. Don’t be afraid to make a statement
Warmed over leftovers are never very appetizing. No one wants to read the same opinions over and over again. Have a personality and speak your mind. If you have a strong opinion about something, you should write about it. Don’t be wishy-washy. Writing is a powerful medium that can change the world. Don’t play with it.
3. Use good style
If your writing is full of spelling and grammar mistakes, or you use the same words over and over again, it distracts from your message. Remember that you’re writing a professional blog post for your website, not a text send to your friends. Don’t use abbreviations and limit the “LOLs” and emoticons to the bare minimum. To avoid using the same words too often (and increase the amount of keywords in your text for search engines to find) use a thesaurus. There are cheap ones on Amazon.com or at the secondhand store. Or you can use the free online thesaurus at http://thesaurus.reference.com . I overuse the word “amazing” and I’ve found lots of synonyms (fantastic, stupendous, exciting, neat, incredible) that mix things up and convey my message in a much clearer manner. Be sure to proof read your articles before posting them, and if you can, ask a friend to give you a free edit. If anything is misspelled or unclear, they should catch it.
4. Read other writers
Blogs, books, magazines and newspapers can give you examples of good writing and inspiration for your own blog. If you read about an idea you like or if a phrase or word jumps out at you, write it in your ideas book. Of course, the first commandment of good writing is “Thou shalt not plagiarize”! The idea is not copying other people, but learning from their style and wording to improve your own work.
5. Lead an Interesting Life
No one wants to read about how you play World of Warcraft and eat Cheetos all day. Ok, maybe a few, but it’s a tiny niche. Talk to interesting people, work on interesting hobbies, go interesting places. Eat interesting food! Do stuff that is interesting that’s the key to interesting blogs.
Leighann is a 28 year old blogger, mother, wife, WWOOFer, cook, gardener, gamer and ex-Southerner who has lived in many interesting places. To learn more about her, visit The News Base.
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November 13th, 2009 at 21:00
Great Post Leighann.
I agree with you about keeping a notebook as I also do that and it really is very handy.
I think reading other blogs is also a good way to become a better writer and of course get new post ideas.
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Leighann Garber Reply:
November 15th, 2009 at 13:15
Thanks! Another tip: when you read other blogs, it’s great to give informative comments (more than awesome post) and feedback. Most blog comments allow you to link back to your website, which helps boost your traffic, and creates backlinks.
Leighann Garber´s last blog ..Delicious Vegan Tomato “Meat” Sauce and Giant Mushrooms
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November 14th, 2009 at 03:33
I think what good style depend on our target readers. For teen readers, many LOL think surely no problem.
Dana @ Online Knowledge´s last blog ..Google Fight Swine Flu
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Leighann Garber Reply:
November 15th, 2009 at 13:32
That’s probably true, but if you’re saying using lol and
to replace keyword-filled sentences, you’re doing a disservice to yourself when it comes to Google and other search engines finding you. I think people (including myself) use emoticons way to much, instead of actually talking about their feelings. We’ve become lazy. When you can’t express yourself clearly, using words, things get misunderstood, especially if you use sarcasm or your grammar is bad to begin with.
Leighann Garber´s last blog ..Delicious Vegan Tomato “Meat” Sauce and Giant Mushrooms
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November 14th, 2009 at 06:24
i too believe in keeping a notebook with me…it helps a lot… you can jot down ideas as soon as they come to you
IndianCashMaker´s last blog ..Blog Life Cycle Day 5- Blog Layout and Design
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November 14th, 2009 at 07:18
Great tips Leighann, all are some nice point for become better writter. Always try to write your opinion when writing blog post. It help your blog readership.
chandan@work at home´s last blog ..New from google work at home affiliate network
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November 14th, 2009 at 07:46
Great post as always!
These are ten tips to become a better writer from my most favorite blogger: http://www.copyblogger.com/become-a-better-writer/
1. Write.
2. Write more.
3. Write even more.
4. Write even more than that.
5. Write when you don’t want to.
6. Write when you do.
7. Write when you have something to say.
8. Write when you don’t.
9. Write every day.
10. Keep writing.
I believe follow these tips may help us and I read elsewhere that it usually takes us 10,000 hours to master something so that consistency and patience are crucial factors.
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Sunny Bhasin Reply:
November 15th, 2009 at 05:13
This one is very interesting
Copyblogger is really great
I never thought of having a Notepad , but from now on will surely have a notepad and would write some intersting ideas when flashed into my mind
.
Thanks Leighann
I liked your posting style and also the image which you have used
Sunny Bhasin´s last blog ..List of Best PDF Search Engines
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November 14th, 2009 at 09:07
Nice article Leighann.
You have written about all aspects for becoming a better writer.
In the tips you have explained, I think ‘Use good style’ is the best Tip we have to apply.
Thanks for the writeup
Jijo Sunny´s last blog ..It’s my Birthday Today (Friday the 13th!) – Now I am 15!
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November 14th, 2009 at 13:57
Awesome article, but I think you need to change “don’t be afraid to make a statement” to Always make a statement. If you aren’t writing to make a point, why am I reading it?
Grammar and spelling are essential for communication. Thank you for pointing that out! =)
Corey Freeman´s last blog ..Words to Know Wednesday – 11/11/09
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November 14th, 2009 at 15:39
I do agree with you guys on most of the things listed, however, you should consider your style not duplicate from others, be unique and write what readers needed, not writing for yourself
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November 14th, 2009 at 16:06
#1 and #3 are definitely my favorites. Another way is setting up a challenge for yourself. For example, “I will write 100 ideas in 30 minutes”. Even if you keep writing anything and everything that comes to mind, you get at least 50 new and good ideas!
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Leighann Garber Reply:
November 15th, 2009 at 13:39
Thank you. I like the idea of setting a challenge for yourself. And yes, you should write something every day, even when it doesn’t seem “good”. You don’t have to post everything on your blog, but you will find a lot of it is useful if you just do it and quit holding yourself back.
Leighann Garber´s last blog ..Delicious Vegan Tomato “Meat” Sauce and Giant Mushrooms
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November 14th, 2009 at 23:07
I love eating cheetos!
Damn I need a life, lol! Great post!
David Shaw´s last blog ..Is There A Need For Blog Etiquette?
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Leighann Garber Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 14:10
Thanks David. I love eating Cheetos, too.
But I can’t get them here in France. And I do blog about occasionally. 
Leighann Garber´s last blog ..What Country Are We In?
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Leighann Garber Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 15:05
Oh, and David, can you actually buy Cheetos in the UK? Those delectable, gaudy orange puffs of heavenly goodness (and chemicals)? If that’s true, I’ll have to hit up the Brits all around me who keep going home on holiday to bring me some back. There are no Cheetos in France. Many imitations, but they’re not the same. I’m having a girl send me some from the States right now, it’s that bad. Kind of goes against my whole new philosophy of the last couple years that the mass-produced junk is bad and we should all start growing our own food and cooking from scratch.
But we all need our little contradictions to keep life interesting, eh?
Leighann Garber´s last blog ..What Country Are We In?
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November 15th, 2009 at 13:09
I always have a notebook in my mobile and will update it whenever I got any points to write in future. That made me to update my notebook with 500+ post ideas so far. It’s a well deserved point to add in this post.
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Leighann Garber Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 14:15
500+ ideas! Wow that’s impressive.
I don’t own an active cell phone anymore, or any other mobile devices. I always live out in the boonies where there is no signal. Haha. I can see me being a nerd enough though to just keep notes on it, though.
Leighann Garber´s last blog ..What Country Are We In?
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November 15th, 2009 at 17:26
[...] 5 Ways To Become A Better Writer [...]
November 16th, 2009 at 15:59
I really does come down to practice, practice, practice
Ms. Freeman´s last blog ..10 Reasons Teenagers Shouldn’t Work
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November 16th, 2009 at 17:52
2. Don’t be afraid to make a statement – this is where so many bloggers fall really short of the mark. Their so afraid “someone” won’t like them; they fail to just be themselves.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..I Want You To Review Me. Part 1
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Leighann Garber Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 12:35
I’ve had a lot of trouble with that one in the past. I’ve also been afraid to share my blog with people I actually know offline. Making a statement can be like standing naked on stage in the school auditorium. You’re completely exposed, and you’re afraid people will laugh, or criticize you. But when you have something to say that can make a difference, and you write well, you can stand up confidently. People will listen to you, and even be impressed.
Leighann Garber´s last blog ..Mushroom Stroganoff
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November 17th, 2009 at 02:54
I like one phrase “You never know when inspiration will strike”
I can take notebook with me, can forget, but I found the way out – I write the ideas … as sms , press “save” and – voila! All my ideas are in my phone )
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Leighann Garber Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 13:00
My hubby takes his ideas book to the bathroom with him. ;-P He does his best thinking in there.
It’s so frustrating when I’m driving somewhere and I get an idea. I don’t dare try to write (or text) while driving. Especially not with German plates and an American driver’s license in France. That’s just asking for trouble. I have actually pulled over to the side of the road and written things down, just so I don’t forget later.
Leighann Garber´s last blog ..Mushroom Stroganoff
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November 17th, 2009 at 13:02
Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments! It is so motivating for me, and makes me want to write some more.
Leighann Garber´s last blog ..Mushroom Stroganoff
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November 18th, 2009 at 17:17
No. 4 is always the best way for me. You’ll learn a lot when you read other people’s thoughts. Awesome article. =)
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Leighann Garber Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 21:50
Thank you! Reading blogs and commenting is also a great way to connect with people in your niche. It can open you up to lots of new opportunities and knowledge, and you can even make a new friend.
Leighann Garber´s last blog ..He Only Wants Me For My Link Juice
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November 20th, 2009 at 12:07
i really admire your article you have made wonderful points . i liked your first point. from now onwards i start writing my ideas on notebook. thanks for sharing
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Leighann Garber Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 16:23
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it and I wish you good blogging!
Leighann Garber´s last blog ..Hello Tweeple
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November 21st, 2009 at 06:34
This one is very interesting. site is very good.
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November 24th, 2009 at 13:20
Lovely ideas..
The notebook point really is critical – when I am going to bed – before I sleep I always get amazing ideas of what to write about.
If I didn’t had a notebook – I wouldn’t be able to remember anything, I have thought of before I got to bed!
Nice post Leighann!
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November 24th, 2009 at 16:18
Ya!! I too follow such stuffs to remember my topic of next article… Effective Post!!
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November 30th, 2009 at 03:33
yap. never afraid to make statement. That make you different compare others people.
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December 11th, 2009 at 16:07
Thank you for the writing tips, I’m pretty new to blogging so there are a lot of things that I know I have to work on. I like the idea of keeping a notebook at all times–a great way to keep all my ideas with me.
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