Tips on Improving my writing?!

check out the Gary Halbert letters.

A couple of other common and often confused words: to and too, and (my personal pet hate) your and you're.

Read other articles posted on popular websites. Look for clues about tone, punctuation, and content. Apply what you've learned to your writing. One of the best ways to learn is to observe. The next best way is to practice.

[QUOTE=shnmarketing;5099388]May I suggest this link?: English Rules | Grammar Rules | Punctuation and Capitalization Rules

I think it is based mainly on English English and not US English but at least it will give you a headstart.

To become a good writer you will first need to learn and the above link will help you. Be warned though, you will need to spend time learning and not just quickly browsing. Put what you learn into practice.

You also need to read others' works to get a feel of what real good quality writing is all about. Also, read junk - it will teach you HOW NOT TO WRITE.

You then have to practice. I recommend you start off by writing 500-words each day for about two weeks. Then, punch it up a few notches to 1000-words per day.

I know, it sounds really tough but 500-words each day is nothing. You probably already do that with emailing and text messaging each day anyway so why not go straight to the big number and hit 1000?

The point I am trying to make here is very, very simple: if you want to earn money writing you have to treat your art of writing as if you were an accomplished carpenter or an L.A. lawyer. In other words, you need to be good at it and like the aforementioned professions; writing is also a profession. Behave like a professional and you will get paid like a professional.

If my advice seems way over the top just think: how bad do you really want to be a success? How much does it mean to you? Do you want it or do you really, really want it?

Good luck![/QUOTE
Thanks for the links. I don't consider myself a bad writer. I just lack the motivation to improve certain things. I don't think I've used a semi colon since high school. I lack the motivation to figure out why they are even used.

I couldn't agree more!

Elements of style is a "must" for all writers.

Additionally, every good writer needs a good editor. I wouldn't dare publish something without first running it through an editor.

I pay as much for editing as some people pay to have articles written.

The way you engage an editor is critical. It does little long term good to simply have an editor correct your work and send it back to you without pointing problem areas.

I require an editor to use a system of red and green highlighting to indicate what needs to be eliminated and what needs to be added.

By having to process an inbound piece of editing by removing the highlighting and "red-lined" text and punctuation I become aware of my sins.

A good editor should also be allowed to make suggestings for "mot juste."
By using the highlighting system I can decide if I want to take the suggestions of the editor or discard them.

Ditto to the posts that recommend reading Alexa Smith's responses right here on the forum... and the old classic "Elements of Style".

Alexa is an awesome writer and skilled marketer who willingly shares a TON of information with all who visit here.

Strunk and White packed a lot of valuable advice into a small book that has been selling since 1935.

Another short book I recommend is called Writing That Works by Roman and Raphaelson.

Robert

1 -Every time you go to type a word that you are even a little unsure about, google it to check spelling or meaning - if you get into the habit you will soon find you are growing in confidence (and vocabulary.)

2 - There are a few good aps for both iPhone and Android that will drill you with grammar questions etc. I have a free one on my iPod touch that is very thorough, gives clear explanations of why the right answer is right, and was free - as soon as I can get my iPod off my son I will post what it is called (Allen's Grammar?)

There are plenty of websites doing this too - Daily Grammar - Improve your writing with our free grammar lessons - for example.


3 - Read, and keep reading. Numerous scholarly studies have proven that the people with the best command of the language are those who read the most (which makes sense). Try to challenge yourself and read slightly more challenging books than you are perhaps used to - and remember to check on any words you are not sure of!

4 - There are many great books which clarify the rules. My long-term 'bible' is 'Common Errors and Problems in English' by Robert Allen which is part of the excellent Penguin Writers Guide series - and an entertaining read too. It's also a jolly economical little book too, btw.

5 - Get a good writing magazine now and then, they usually have lots of advice on improving your general writing skills, plus articles on grammar and spelling.

6 - Never be afraid to ask for a second opinion on things you have written. Everyone makes errors and everyone can benefit from another person's thoughts and observations.

7 - As a few posters have spelt this wrong - its grammar, with an a ;-)

Writing every single day is the best way I know to improve writing.

Also here are 5 helpful books...

1.Elements of Writing by Strunk and Write

2.On Writing Well by William Zinsser

3.On Writing by Steven King

4.Simple and Direct

5.The Brilliance Breakthrough by Eugene Schwartz (rare and hard to find, just glad I have my copy)

P.S. For those of you who don't know Eugene Schwartz results wise was the best copywriter to ever live.

Thanks alot for these useful tips, I'll try to focus on my weaknesses.

My best advice...

Read and study a lot of good writing.

It's a much more active and "sticky" learning experience than studying dry "grammar guides."

I must have missed English class back in the day because my grammar was terrible...

But I studied a lot of great writing and that's improved things a lot.

Good luck!

--- Ross

Microsoft Word is a help. The grammar suggestions it gives are sometimes 100% clueless, but often enough they do point to something that should be improved.

Enjoyed those, travelin. But keep in mind that the WF Manual of Style seems to suggest that you hit the enter key twice after a period.

Consider also taking some writing courses at your local community college or university. Then, read journals and publications within your target market with a concerted effort to write how your audience prefers to read.

yeah i got some great resources for that. check out Marketing Bullets and you can also google andre chaperon. they both have great stuff on copy writing and improving your writing skills.

dan kennedy is also very good. they've got heaps of good free content you can pick up. hope that helps

I would echo what Paul Uhl suggested: take classes at your local junior college. Beginning Composition/Freshman Composition classes are structured so that your are writing and receiving feedback each session.

It sounds good to say buy a book on writing and practice the drills, but my guess is that would end up like the purchase of most WSO's. You do not receive immediate feedback with each step, there is no accountability, and follow-through wanes when you perceive no movement.

In a class, the content your create is totally exposed to both peer evaluations and critique by the instructor. Guidelines for structure, grammar/syntax, tone, nuance, and flow are discussed, modeled, and practiced.

Plus, you would probably be the most motivated student in class since the majority would just see it as a requirement to endure and checkoff.

Reading all you can will also be beneficial because you will begin to see that good writing has a rhythm, as opposed to a list of facts just stitched together in sentences.

Good luck.