We Are What We Create

As a writer, your name is your "brand", and what you create is what people are going to identify that brand with. Do you want to be a "name brand", or do you want to be known for neurotic ramblings?

I apologize if my label of less formal writings seems a bit harsh, but it really is what you are putting forth to all the world when you write such things. You are what you write. You are all that you create. Someone who knows you only through your writings will know only that which you create, and to them, that is what you will be.

That is not to say you cannot create anecdotal writings that tell the events of a day, or a particular occurrence in your life. However, if they are not put forth in an interesting manner, who is to say they will be read at all. If you put forth only myopic drivel, even when it is read, people are far less likely to read your work again, unless you made it interesting the first time.

This is something you should remember in each and every piece you write, even if it is only a brief post. You never know which piece of your work will be the first one that a particular reader reads. You should endeavor to make each and every one count, and represent you at your best as a writer.

So, if you must tell the story of how your aunt came over for dinner last night, or how you had a bout of road rage on the way home; at least make it the most epic piece of story telling you can possibly put forth. This, and only this will make your readers care about such things enough to give you a second read.

Quality and Substance

Quality work gets you ahead in life, regardless of your occupation. It amazes me how many writers seem to believe this does not apply to them! Writing, like all things requires your best effort. You may not be perfect today, or tomorrow, but the more you work at it, the better you will be. Striving to improve on these things everyday will eventually get you where you want to be as a writer.

Compare your work to the work of someone who writes articles that you enjoy reading. How do you compare? Is the language you use, the phrases you choose, the grammar, the readability as good as this person's? If not, then...you need to work on that, don't you?

How about the substance of your writing. Is your subject matter interesting? Do the things you have to say about that subject bring value to your readers? Would you read about this subject if someone else wrote about it? Does it have a valid message, or is it just daily ramblings? Will it stand the test of time as useful information?

A few things that might help in both of these endeavors are:

1. Read your own work before publishing or submitting to any website or other platform. If it does not "flow" as you read it yourself, then it will not be readable to others.

2. Proofread your work carefully and meticulously. Even if you notice errors after publication, go back and fix them. That is why there is an "edit" and "update" button.

3. Have a friend read your work to you, or read it aloud yourself to another. Sometimes "hearing" what we have written makes a huge difference.

4. Cite sources when possible. This will give your work a much more authoritative feel, and instill in your readers a trust in your knowledge that will keep them coming to you for information. If your source is your own personal experience, state that, and tell exactly what that experience is.

5. Try to write "evergreen" articles that will always contain valid information. If you cannot do this, perhaps because you enjoy "trendy" subject matter or current events, then at least try to update your information when trends change, or new events and information are brought to light.

These are just a few of the things you can do to improve your writing today, tomorrow, and always. There is much more to come, so do stay with me.

Based on my personal experiences as a writer, editor, and administrator.