When I started as a writer in my early 20s, I foolishly believed that to become successful I had to produce a masterpiece. Instant fame would come as soon as I wrote that masterpiece. I was idealistic and romantic like many young writers. And though I managed to get paid for the odd freelance article, I accomplished little actual writing during those formative years. If I could turn back time… Since then, I have had a lot of time to reflect on what I would do differently. What information from my experience can I share with new writers who want to dive into the world of writing? For one, I would avoid the reckless pursuit of the “perfect article” and not be so dependent on the approval of outsiders. Stop chasing the perfect article When I was younger, I wanted to write the perfect article that would set me apart from […]

Writing an article can be a very difficult task. This is especially true if the deadline for your article is self-imposed and/or not due in the near future. Without the pressure of an immediate deadline, it’s very easy to fall into that terrible state of procrastination and idleness, what I define as Writer’s Block. The 15-Minute Writer’s Workout If you have Writer’s Block or problems with procrastination, try the 15-Minute Writer’s Workout. It will transform you into a writing machine. The 15-Minute Writer’s Workout is amazingly simple: • Set your timer to 15 minutes • Write for 15 minutes straight • End of writing exercise (It’s totally up to you whether you want to continue writing beyond the designated time.) • Repeat the next day Fifteen minutes doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but it’s amazing how much work you can get done. On good days, I can write […]

Clear and direct writing is very important in business communications. Whether it’s an annual report, article or email, quality writing will help you connect with your target audience and gain respect amongst your colleagues.

Read my editing tips to improve your writing today.