13 ways to better writing

I may as well just say it. I am a writer. Because, you know, I write things. I write here, in a journal, a couple other random spots. That's what being a writer is.

A writer is different from an author. I've never had anything published, and I don't know if I ever will. Yet it doesn't take away from the fact that - however good or bad, widely or little-read, and however seriously I take it (or not) ... I write.

If you're anything like me, it would probably do us both good to read articles like Josh Spector's '13 Ways To Turn the Next Thing You Write Into the Best Thing You've Written.'

This mere numbered list won't do much good on its own, but it will serve as a nice reminder after you read the above linked post.

1. Remove 10% of the words.
2. Make the middle the beginning (or not).
3. Compare your first and last paragraphs.
4. Kill the "softeners."
5. "He" can be "she" or "they."
6. Amplify your three boldest statements.
7. Bring in the experts.
8. Bare it all (at least twice).
9. Read it as a letter.
10. A two surprise minimum.
11. Write a 280-character version of the post.
12. Do you promise a value or result in the headline?
13. Have you told people what to do next?
    

So, here's to writing. And writing better.

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Psalm 45:1

"My heart is stirred by a noble theme
    as I recite my verses for the king;
    my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer."