As one of my projects this year is to write. I find it incredibly difficult to write any more that I already am. The goal, however, is not to simply write more…but to write better.
In writing better, there are different aspects of writing that I really want to focus on.
One of the aspects that I desire is to use that my writing journal to write extended pieces to practice my essay form writing. I moved that journal yesterday from the tough box it was resting on to the desk. I placed it on the desk as a reminder that I really want to write in it soon. I need this time to write freely and to think through larger pieces. It is also nice to write for the sake of writing.
Another aspect of writing better is to pay attention to the typos, particularly when I write on my blog. Many times, I come in exhausted (as I did today) and just want to push “publish” to get the task checked off my list. Proof reading will not only make your (the reader’s) experience better, but will help me to build this routine into my writing.
A third aspect to focus on is slowing down and returning to outlining. This is hard to do sometimes, simply because I don’t always want to work that hard. But, if I truly want to get better, I must begin regularly adding some structure to my writing.
So, these are the aspects of writing I am focused on in my project for writing better. I hope maybe they will help you develop as a writer as well.
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Keith Andrews says
Rodney– I’m a “five paragraph essay guy”. Intro, three points, conclusion. I tend to write everything that way–when I outline. It could be a sermon or a memo at work, most of the time I’ll do a five paragraph essay. The exception, however, is when I just sit down to write and simply chase rabbits. You’ll notice that this is the norm for my blog writing, because I often write as I would in my journal–with just a stream of consciousness. Not always the best writing, but it got the job done. Now, I’m looking to improve by doing what I know is stronger.
Thank you for asking!
Rodney Olsen says
I’d be really interested in seeing you write about your process of outlining. How does it work for you and what are the steps you take?