I’ve just looked an interesting web site called the Urban Dictionary for the first time. All kinds of very interesting alternative definitions of slang words and expressions in common usage – but not the kind of things one finds in a standard dictionary. It’s a very handy resource.
To access the Urban Dictionary click here.
Darren on ProBlogger has posted a very comprehensive list of tools to use to help professional bloggers – 130 of them in fact. Many are applicable for use by ordinary bloggers too. My son does all the techie stuff for my blogs so I don’t have to worry about that side of things. (Onya Sim’)
To read Darren’s post on The A – Z of Professional Blogging click here.
Writing is an inexact art.
We all make mistakes, errors of judgement and we sometimes follow the wrong path. We may spend too much time on one writing project and neglect a more important one. We may expend enormous amounts of energy on researching a topic when the information was readily available in some other form.
Writing Blogs
Writing blogs is no different, except that there seem to be many more variations on a theme than with writing for the print media. Blogging is a rapidly developing form of writing, and it is different in that the writer is also the publisher. The blogger has to also be the editor, promoter, sales department and fill host of other roles, not the least of which in site manager and resident techie. It can all get a little overwhelming.
Time commitment
Darren on ProBlogger has a link to an interesting article about a blog network owner who shares the mistakes made in running a blog. The first one listed is everyone’s bogey, it seems: Under-estimating the time commitment. Writing a novel takes months and even years; not many people under-estimate the commitment there. But everyone expects a successful blog takes only a few minutes every day or every few days, and it will be on everyone’s blogroll in a few weeks or a month or two.
To read the full article by Mac Slocum at The Independent Publisher click here.
Many writers and especially bloggers constantly face the battle to come up with new ideas for their writing. Desire on her blog The Conservatory of One writes that we need to be “blog whisperers.”
Successful bloggers are blog whisperers. They possess the ability to coax new and improved content from their blog…
This is an intriguing idea. Most successful bloggers will tell you that content in a blog is king. To be successful one must have good content, writing that will bring readers back to the site in their droves, eager to read the next posting. Most, however, fail to deliver on the important aspect of “how” to do this.
Over coming weeks Desire plans to reveal “7 Secrets to Writing Great Posts“. The first one is titled “Plan Your Posts”. Sounds simple enough. I know that this is one area I fall down on – I tend to take a scatter-gun approach, writing whatever comes into my head or I read what others are writing about. I did start off with a plan; I need to get back to it.
Read the whole article here.
Research is essential for many writers. Where to start looking is often a major headache. Searching online can turn the headache into a migraine. There is just too much material.
High quality writing is the result of good research, following the rules of spelling, grammar and punctuation as well as writing in a readable easy to follow style.
When working to accomplish this balance, the best writers know they must utilize their friends on the reference shelf, English usage and style reference books, composition guides and reliable writers’ manuals. If you cannot yet afford an extensive writing library, do not despair.
Desire on her site A Conservatory of One has a link to a vast library of online help.