Jumping on the bandwagon: What should I charge for article writing?

::slow clap?:: :rolleyes:

I've run across a piece of advice from writers to writers many times that essentially says (paraphrasing): If you want to be a better writer, read bad writing sometimes (so that you know it when you see it, and can teach yourself how to fix it), and read things outside of your comfort zones and interests (so as to develop and expand those interests, and add to your toolbox/skill set).

I've read the Twilight series. I did it for a few different practical reasons, which is good, because the writing (especially in the first two books) was cringeworthy and I definitely didn't enjoy the experience. I had the sense that they dumped more editing dollars into the last two books, thankfully; not that it helped that much.

One of the main things I took away from it was that if you create characters that are compelling/fascinating to your targeted readers, they will forgive you most anything else (not that that is necessarily a good thing overall, but it does make a razor-sharp argument for the need for characters that your readers will invest in without reservation).

You can translate that effect to your online reader, especially if it's clear that they (or someone about whom they care) are the "main character" in whatever narrative you're presenting. It is their acne/lovelife/diet that you're trying to help them overcome, after all, no?