Blogging Fears-Can I Become a Better Writer

Many people say I can never blog because I am a terrible writer.  First off, take a deep breath and relax.  You don’t need to be the best writer in the world.  However, you do need to be diligent and it will take some time to write your first few articles but you can do it.  Some people after they first start blogging still feel their writing is not good enough.  They ask themselves “Can I become a better writer?”  Sure you can! You must have heard people say that you never stop learning.

This is so true and when it comes to writing online, it is a fact that cannot be overemphasized. Think of it as a way to suggest that no one individual knows it all and no one is perfect when it comes to this kind of writing. Even the most experienced bloggers and article writers still have something to learn from new challenges they face each day while writing online.

This is to say that the sooner you get to have this registered in your mind, the better. It will help you to keep on improving on your writing skills which will cause you to get better every day. I have outlined some tips on how to become a better writer that I hope you will find useful.

 

Designate a Time for Writing

---

Everyone has a time in the day when they are at their best. This is the time you are most active, keen and sober when handling a particular task and it can either be in the morning hours, afternoon or evening. One of these will definitely work best for you. Set apart such a period for writing specifically, because you tend to bring out the best in you at that point.

You don’t need to set aside 40 hours a week.  Maybe you can find 30 minutes a day to sit down in a quiet place and write.  Doing so every day will make it a routine and over time that routine will help you become a better writer.  It is best if you can make it the same time every day, but it is not necessary for it to be the same time.  The most important part is that you actually set aside the time each day and focus on nothing but writing.

 

Seek to Be Outstanding

---

There is something different about you when it comes to your style of writing which you will not find in another. This is what makes you unique and you need to appreciate this by having the courage to try out new words, themes and style in your writing using knowledge gained from various great writers. It is wise to spent time learning from the masters but this does not mean that you should be like them when it comes to your writing style. This will set you apart from the rest.

Seek out those that write online.  Check out their blogs, read them, and learn from them.  NEVER copy their work.  You can use their work as inspiration for your own.  Pay special attention to their writing style and adapt it to your own style.  This will help you discover the best in you.

 

Value Another’s Opinion

---

If you want to steal the show, you cannot walk it alone.  I say this all the time. No one is successful on their own.  Ask for help. Anyone helping you must be completely honest with you.  I would suggest using someone who reads a lot or is even a writer themselves.  They can be critical to your work and help you improve.  Now that I say that make sure you do not become defensive about their criticisms.  Them analyzing and being critical of your work is what you need to improve.

 

Consider How You Start and Finish

---

The beginning of any online article will determine whether a particular audience will be willing to read on or not and the end will count a lot in terms of leaving readers with a desire to look out for more of your articles. This is where you give it your best by starting and finishing strong because writing is also an art in its own capacity.

I have found one thing in particular very helpful in the ending of my articles.  If you can ask a question, comments, or the readers personal experiences with the topic at hand; you will have interaction with your reader.  Getting your reader engaged is an important step in blogging.  This also helps with your search engine rankings.

 

The Weight Words Constitute Matters

---

There is nothing that can be more boring than reading a plain article. If it does not entice you, you should not expect it to pass the test when others get to it. They will just quickly brows the article and move on, never to return again. This does not necessarily entail the inclusion of an element of satire which may not apply on some topics, but rather the use of heavy/powerful words. You should only include such words while adjusting your article at the point of revision.

That being said you want to use words that are appropriate for your audience.  Think of your audience as a good friend.  Then write as if you are speaking to them.  This will help you engage with them and make them feel more comfortable.  It is not the same as writing a book.  For example I would never say to a friend, “He was filled with exuberance”. That is just not the way I speak.  I might say “He was very excited about it”.  So in writing use the second one, don’t go crazy with a thesaurus.

Proofreading

---

This cannot be overemphasized and it is what actually determines how the readers out there will interpret your work. A few  tweaks here and there in your article that go unchecked can change the whole meaning of a sentence or even the article. It can also add an element of confusion amongst readers. Keeping this in mind, you need to go over the article again checking for freshness, clarity and strength other than purely focusing on the flow of the article, spelling mistakes and grammar.

I personally like to let an article sit for 24 hours before proofing it. By doing this it allows me to clearly see what I wrote, rather than what I thought I wrote.  If you try proofing an article right after you write it you might actually read right over the mistakes.  This is why I let it rest first.

Get Distractions Out of the Way

---

There are many things that can cause disorientation in the course of writing and this is the last thing you need around you at such a time. Your writing environment needs to be clear of anything that may act as a distraction to you. This includes music, phones, the television, piles of stationery on your desk and the like. See to it that the best possible environment is created around you to ease the flow of ideas which will help you to write soberly.

That does not mean that it needs to be complete silence.  Some people write better with some music quietly playing in the background.  Just make sure that if you have music or something that is making some noise that it is not distracting you from writing.  If you can go to the same place and write there, your mind will become accustom to writing when you are there and it will be easier. The point is do what works best for you.

Write as Often as You Can

---

Practice as you know makes perfect. Well actually “perfect practice makes perfect” as Vince Lombardi used to say.  The idea is you need to correct what is wrong or you will instill the error in your writing, making it more difficult to fix later. This is one of the best ways to help you mature as you increase your knowledge in writing. Write as much as you can and on as many different topics as possible.

Learning is a process and do not forget that there is always room for improvement when it comes to writing.  Blogging is no exception.  As you gain more knowledge you can become successful at it.  You can get all the help you need from me and others at my top recommendation.  To be successful it takes a lot.  You can see all of my recommendation here.

If you have any questions, comments, or your own personal experiences, please let me know below.  I love to hear from you.