Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Five Successful Writing Strategies for Non-Fiction

January 9, 2010 by  
Filed under e-zine articles

Five Strategies to Write Reports, Essays, & Non-Fiction

Many people cannot get started writing because they do not know where to start. In this brief article, I share insight from years of teaching students and professionals of all ages how to prepare professional work.

Which one of the following applies to your struggle with writing?

  • Beginning to write;
  • Finding a unique angle for your next writing project or
  • Discovering a path through the writing process?

The great news is that guidance for all of these concerns are included in this one brief article.

Strategy 1: Research.

Regardless if one is writing fiction or nonfiction, the author must do sufficient research to provide substantial background for the work ahead. This research can take many forms, depending on the type of writing, but it is absolutely necessary to have deep, broad information to provide full detail and accuracy in the account.

Strategy 2: Determine Your Angle.

Once you, the author, have the information, it is critical to determine your unique perspective or angle to approach the topic. How will you introduce your reader to this portrayal in unique way which will sustain his attention through a compelling account? Developing such an approach is a vital starting point.

Strategy 3. Discovering Your Concept Maps.

In order to determine your unique approach, it may be helpful to write key points of information on paper or digital note cards. Examine the information and look for trends, patterns, and groupings of themes or topics. See if you can………………….

Click the title OR this link to read the entire article! Enjoy, with our compliments!

Five Roadblocks to Successful Writing

December 23, 2009 by  
Filed under e-zine articles

Knocking Down Roadblocks to Successful Writing

Having assisted writers for the last 20 odd years in many different capacities (such as professor, coach, and colleague), I have worked with a lot of frustrated and stymied writers. In addition, I have written 17 books and have encountered many writing roadblocks myself which had to be conquered.

Along the way I have developed five favorite ways to successfully knock down those roadblocks and continue the writing journey. Join me as we explore these strategies.

It dawns on you one day….. You might not realize you are confronted with a roadblock. All you know is you cannot write, or you do not know where to start. Or perhaps you cannot figure out how to make the writing gel so that it is compelling on the page…. These, my dear fellow authors, are all different forms of roadblocks. Now don’t be fooled, there are many roadblocks you encounter along the journey of writing. However, the good news is that the strategies we develop, the momentum of success which we build from conquering even these first five, will strengthen us for the marathon ahead. This article will help you buzz by those roadblocks in order to charge ahead towards success.

The roadblock counter-strategies which I share in this brief article take the form of techniques. Indeed, I divulge some of my trade secrets which I use to assist students, faculty and business people to break the chilly stalemate between the keyboard and the blank screen. Be diligent, keep this list close at hand, give these strategies a try, and be ready to choose a remedy when you encounter your next writing emergency. This is your survival kit. Therefore you must become familiar with it in a non-stressful situation; please consider the following points.

Fingers poised over the keyboard…and begin…

Roadblock 1: I can Say it, but I cannot write it.

Sometimes a piece that we are writing just lends itself more to telling. Sometimes we are more gifted as a storyteller or orator than a writer! Nonetheless when we have to put that same account into written form, what are we to do? One solution is so simple people miss it because of that point. Speak the piece aloud! You might use a recorder, voice activated software, or perhaps a really great friend will take notes or transcribe. Basically, the process is the same in all three methods: speak the project, rather than write it. It is amazing how this strategy can unjam the writing roadblock for people. Some authors even discover it moves them towards developing better writing skills over time.

Roadblock 2: Who is my Audience?

As Featured On EzineArticles

Road block 2 oftentimes lurks at the crux of Roadblock 1. However many of us never learned (or in deference to our English teachers don’t remember learning) about audience. Without this understanding, it is very difficult to have a clear view of who we are writing for in our literary eye while we write. However, this trick works wonders for many people with whom I have shared it: when you sit down to work on your writing, close your eyes for a minute and imagine your readers sitting in chairs in front of you. Perhaps they are ……………..

Click on this link to read the entire article for free! Our Compliments.