How Many of You Identify Yourselves as Writers?

I hate to write also that is why I outsource most of it. But I love to create the products and plan it out on the ways to market that product.

Thanks for the reassurance, Dennis

When asked the question about "scrutinizing and agonizing", I thought that maybe since I DON'T do that, I'm really not a writer.

I do consider myself a writer. I, however, don't always put the highest quality content everywhere-- I hire other people. And yes, MOST OF THE TIME (there are a couple exceptions to this as of late), I am terribly disappointed.

Writing comes natural for me-- I really can crank out some stuff that's good, actually. But, it's a natural talent that really can't be learned. Yes, sometimes you can practice and get faster and more efficient; other times it's a natural ability. Based on what Dennis has said, it seems he has the natural ability to write.

Now, while I consider myself a writer, I've never been officially published. I don't believe that makes me any less than a full-blown writer (and I'm not saying that Dennis or anyone else implied otherwise

Don't get stuck on the whole thing "I've never published a book" or "I'm not a copywriter" and think you're not a writer. Most writers are a rare breed, full of themselves (I see A LOT of this on this forum in particular.) I say, if you have to toot your own horn, you're not that good to begin with. As my daddy says, "the cream always rises to the top, Brandi".

No truer words have ever been spoken. And he's not a writer.

Warmly,

Brandi

P.S. Ok, technically he is.. LOL! He's a preacher and has published several books. But, he's really not a writer.

Personally I wouldn't call myself a writer and do everything to speed up the process, I think that dragon naturally speaking is a gift from up above.

My spelling is pretty bad at times so dragon helps me to overcome it and you can get into a rhythm and produce some pretty good articles, if they get published, people read them and you make sales then I think they have done their job well.

Article spinners are as good as the person using them so it's down to you the quality of articles that they spit out.

Regards
Dave

Actually, I believe that quality writing is a big part of the success I've had so far. As I mentioned in my original post, I don't think that my way is better, I just think it's better for me, although I realize that I have a tendency to carry things too far:

I know I'd be more productive, and probably more successful, if I relaxed a bit. Keeping that "point of diminishing returns" in mind would help.

Will

I ran into the same trap a few years back. Once I realized I was editing before I actually put anything down on the page I gave myself permission to suck, then edited later.

Will

I'm a writer who writes the articles used by article marketers when they want quality content.

I understand that my clients could probably write their own content if they chose. Instead, they choose to outsource their needs to someone (like me!) who actually loves what they do, takes pride in their work and enjoys the challenge of surprising each client with extra keyword inclusions to boost their marketing attempts.

Do I agonize over every word? No. I love my job. The words come naturally. However, I can't just crank them out like crazy. I take pride in what I do

Adam, that wasn't my intent. The fact that I sometimes agonize over each word is what prevents me from using Dragon Naturally Speaking. If you or anyone else is able to use the software and put out great content (and I have no doubt that you can) then more power to you. I was simply stating my personal process.

Will

Something to bear in mind: quality doesn't always go hand in hand with speed.

My ex-husband could have spent weeks on a paper and it would have still been worthless. I could write it an hour and get an A on it.

Again, natural writing abilities can't be learned. Some people can crank it out and it IS quality, worth reading.

It's a talent. Just like web design and graphic arts. If you have that natural ability, you're gold. If you don't, people still won't be able to tell what your picture is no matter how much you practice (raising hand... I can't draw to save my life, really!)

Warmly,

Brandi

I would definitely consider myself a professional writer but having made a living doing it for so many years there are a few secrets I've learned:

# 1: Never start writing an article or a column, report or even a book until you know enough to complete it without research.

In other words, once you start you shouldn't be stopping at all for anything.


# 2: Stop worrying about quality when you write your first draft. Just write any old crap and worry about quality when you rewrite.

Writing freely without worrying about quality often produces better more free flowing work.

Good writers rewrite anyway.


# 3: Learn to discipline all your writing. The more you stop making spelling errors, gramatical errors etc when you write anything...the quicker you produce clean copy...the faster you'll be able to write completed work when you want to.

Yes it's painful when you're just writing a post on a forum or an email to make sure every word is spelled perfectly but if you do that over a period of 3 or 4 months you'll stop making so many errors when you write (most of those mistakes are repetitive...when you weed them out of your writing they don't come back).

This actually contradicts with # 2 and my recommendation would be to ignore this when you're working on a serious project but be strict with it when you're writing things like emails and forum posts.

That will help clean up your writing without stopping you from working effectively.


Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh