Friday, January 13, 2012

The Discipline of Article Writing

The toughest part of article writing is to actually start writing. Most writers usually hate to write but love it when they have finished writing. To be able to escape this process, what some writers do is procrastinate.

Having this attitude really does not get anything done. One of the major reasons why we think this way is because we are afraid to fail. We also put tremendous pressure upon ourselves, thinking that whatever writing we do must be brilliant.

The fact of the matter is that no writer, or person for that matter, is perfect. Everyone has flaws and having imperfections is the perfect reason why more writing should be done.

Discipline is crucial. Without this, nothing will get done. Having discipline causes any writer, especially those who write articles for the internet, to think clearly and go beyond his or her mundane interests. When you have discipline, the focus is on the production and not on the ego.

Discipline serves as a guide

Having discipline enables you to think clearly. It also helps in coming up with ways to present the details and facts of an article. A disciplined mind gets things done.

Having an outline of ideas is also good practice. Doing this and setting a limit on yourself actually helps you write the article thereby avoiding ill-chosen breaks in each sentence. When this is done, readability of the article is achieved as well as the topic at hand becomes a whole lot clearer.

Discipline helps achieve focus

There are a million things to write about as well as there are a million things to say. Having discipline makes it a lot simpler to select a particular idea or subject. A general issue could still be broken down in sub topics and begin from there.

The words to be used for such an article must also be appropriate to the kind of reader targeted. Once this is decided upon, selecting the appropriate mood, be it serious, funny, etc. would be a lot easier.

Having discipline makes it easier to break a topic down

Discipline yourself to think of the article in easy and convenient small bits. Take each idea as one paragraph. Then think of another idea in terms of another paragraph. Then, make a simple outline of the article as well as the issues and topics that will cover it.

Discipline yourself to just let go

 Writing is a process. It is better that writing noy be forced. Such an attitude creates an article that is stiff, unreadable and - most likely - unlikeable.

Discipline yourself to just write


A lot of things could pop up inside your head about the article you are intending to write.

It is easy to be distracted by other topics that could be included in the article, or other issues, as well as other subtopics.

It is best that you adhere to the current topic at hand. Themes or issues that are off the main points must be stayed away from.

Remember that the objective is to write, complete and finish the article. Entertaining any and all forms of distractions will not be helpful.

Be disciplined to not edit --- at least not yet

In any first drafts, the key to writing completely is to let the ideas just flow. Editing must and will have to come later. Editing is not part of the writing process, at least in this point where thoughts really just have to flow, so let them.

Be disciplined to re-read and review the article

After the writing is complete, this is the ideal time to begin reading it as well as reviewing it. First time drafts must be proofread. This is also the best time to start editing.

Check and find out which parts seem to lag. Is there any weak idea that needs backing up? Are there any spelling errors in the article? Are there any errors in grammar? Such mistakes must be attended to as it could distract the readers from the idea and point of the article.


Discipline yourself to relax
After writing, let the article stand or sit on its own. Get up and eat, sleep, read, watch television or simply get out.
Make sure that you spend at least a day letting the article breath.

Discipline yourself to re-write

Getting back to the article after a considerable amount of time away from it enables you to look at it with fresh eyes.
Check the title. Review if the sentences are complete thoughts. Delete or re-write what needs to be edited or re-written.
Well-written articles should be satisfying and not leave readers wanting to have more.

Discipline yourself to make the article known

After all is said and done, it is now time to submit the article. Readers should be appropriately advised where the article came from, who wrote it or if there is any link related to the article and its source.

In summary, discipline helps anyone, especially in writing, start and finish a task with a process that is systematic and one that actually works. All you need is discipline to carry it through.

If this article helps you in any way I would love to hear about it so please leave a comment.

Randy Baker
http://legitimateworkfromhomesolutions.com