Hope Writes

Simple 3-Step Process To Write An Article

Posted by Hope

If you aren’t a writer, but want to try your hand at it, I’m going to show you a very easy way to get started. This is the simplest way to write an article and anybody can do it. So let’s get started…

Step 1: Decide on your topic. The first thing you have to do is decide what your article will be about. To determine this, jot down a list of everything you’re interested in. What are you hobbies? What books do you enjoy reading? What are you passionate about?

Be sure to choose a topic that you are knowledgable about. This will make writing your article lots easier. Once you have some practice under your belt, start tackling topics that you are interested in, but don’t know much about. (These will require more time and research.)

Step 2: Create an outline and draft. Once you’ve settled on a topic, you are ready to begin the actual writing. First, write an outline. I’m not talking about an outline like we had to use in English class in high school. I’m talking about an informal outline of what you can include in your article. Too many people don’t outline in the pre-writing stage because they freeze up. But it’s a super simple step that can save you a ton of time in the long run.

Here’s an example: Let’s say you are going to write an article on bird feeders. Let’s just brainstorm some ideas out right now in a quick outline…

Birdfeeders
1) General overview of birdfeeders
   > What they are
   > Why they’re so popular
   > Who invented them

2) Types of birdfeeders
   >type #1
   >type #2
   >type #3

3) Birdseed
   > What kinds of birdseed to use in which feeders
   > When to put birdseed in your feeder

4) Attracting birds
   > How long it takes for a bird to come to your feeder
   > Birds that stay
   > Birds that eat and don’t return

This is how my outlining process works. I usually write the article title/topic at the top of a page, then just start jotting down ideas as they come to me. Depending on the length of the article, I’ll have more or less sections. I usually try to brainstorm as much information as possible because I almost always cut out part of my original outline and throw it away.

After you have a nice outline, add some “meat” to your bones. You already have a solid framework of ideas that you can build upon to write a nice article. Using your outline, shape your ideas into sentences. Think of each of your sections as a paragraph; each sub-section is a sentence.

Step 3: Edit, rewrite, and proofread. After you get the first draft out on paper, let it sit for a bit. If you have some time, wait a couple of days. If you’re pressed for time, walk away for about 30 minutes. Then go back to your paper and start cutting away the parts that aren’t necessary.

During the editing stage, be very critical. Read your paper with an editorial eye. Does something sound off? Are your thoughts scattered? Cut and paste or delete and add parts as needed to your article.

When you’re finally happy with your final rewrite, do a quick spell check then proofread. While it’s okay to use the grammar check on your computer, it can’t be counted as reliable. Give your article one more quick read-through. A good way to check for mistakes is to read the text backwards.

And there you have it! A very easy process to writing your very own articles.

Popularity: 70% [?]

Article Aces Is Open And Ready For Your Articles!

Posted by Hope

EXTRA! EXTRA!

I’m proud to announce the launch of my new article directory, Article Aces. We’re open and ready to accept new authors and articles. Come on over and sign up for your free account and start submitting.

Don’t forget to blog about it!

Technorati Tags: article directory, free article directory, article aces, writers, writing, articles, article marketing, writing articles

Popularity: 44% [?]

Frequently Asked Ghostwriting Questions

Posted by Hope

Some of my recent visitors have never worked with a ghostwriter before. So I thought it fitting to compile a list of some of the most commonly asked questions about ghostwriting and then answer them. If I don’t answer your question here, leave it in the comments and I’ll be happy to answer it in a future post.

Frequently Asked Ghostwriting Questions

#1) What kind of qualifications should a ghostwriter possess? A competent ghostwriter should have some experience, at the very least. Some ghostwriters hold college degrees in English, journalism, etc. However, don’t be disillusioned into thinking a degree means that person has better talent than someone who doesn’t have a degree.

Overall, a good ghostwriter should:

• Reply to email or phone calls in a timely manner.
• Be courteous and friendly.
• Produce samples of previous work upon request.
• Work well with deadlines.
• Provide frequent updates if the project is a large one.

#2) How much should I expect to pay a ghostwriter? Rate of pay varies widely, as you’ll soon discover upon doing some research. That being said, a ghostwriter’s rates should usually reflect the amount of experience she has. If she is new, then her rates probably won’t be as high as one who has a decade or more experience.

Another thing that always surprises me is that some people purposefully seek out a “cheap” ghostwriter. In many cases, you get what you pay for. So if you’re looking for one that is less expensive, don’t complain if the work isn’t what you expected it to be.

#3) Why am I asked for full payment up front? Aren’t I taking a chance on him running off with my money and not producing the work I hired him for? Again, do your research before you decide to hire a ghostwriter. When you find a truly competent ghostwriter, you will more than likely be asked for payment in full before the project is started. At the very least you will be required to pay a deposit up front and then the rest when the project is completed (but before you receive the final product).

#4) What are some things I should look for when hiring a ghostwriter? When searching for a good ghostwriter, ask the following questions:

• How much experience does she have?
• Can he produce samples upon request?
• Does she have at least three references you could contact to inquire about her job ethics and performance?
• Have you seen his name in certain circles? If so, what kind of reputation has he built for himself?
• Can she work with you to map out a time line on when your project will be finished?

#5) What is the best way to work with a ghostwriter? This is a really good question that some don’t stop to think about. Working with a ghostwriter is more than hiring someone to write something and leaving it all up to him.

The first thing you need to do before you hire a ghostwriter is to be sure that you know exactly what you want in a final product. The worst thing for a ghostwriter is a client who changes their mind fifty times during the writing process. Not only is it frustrating for the ghostwriter, but it wastes an enormous amount of time. Know what you want before you hire a ghostwriter.

Second, you should provide as much information to your ghostwriter about the project as possible. One of my most favorite clients to date is one that knew precisely what he wanted in his book. When he hired me, he provided me with not only an outline and tentative title for his book, but also with copious notes and research he’d already conducted on the topic. I was able to write his book in record time because he knew what he wanted and he presented me with every bit of information he’d already collected.

Article writing is the same. I do not take on article writing clients any longer unless they provide me with the article titles, keywords, or topic idea that they want their articles written on. It simply makes for a more amiable and productive working relationship.

#6) Why are ghostwriting fees so expensive? One thing you have to remember about ghostwriters is that we do all the work, while you claim all the glory. “Ghost” means we are a silent and invisible part of the “writing.” As such, a greater price is required to compensate for this. You get a polished book ready for publication, with your name on the cover, and I simply get paid to write it.

#7) What is a specialist? A specialist is someone who is an expert in a specific area. Whereas a generalist tends to write on any subject. Ghostwriters who are just starting to build their career, or who don’t want to limit themselves to any certain topic are referred to as generalists. I’ve been a generalist up to this point in my career. Beginning in 2008, I will start specializing in writing about:

• Self-Improvement
• Writing
• Internet Marketing & Business
• Parenting & Family

As a last, closing thought, I’d like to remind you that clear communication is absolutely essential to working with any ghostwriter. The lines of communication must be open at all times, on both ends.

Technorati Tags: hire a ghostwriter, ghostwriting, ghostwriting questions

Popularity: 24% [?]

The 8th Commandment of Writing Articles

Posted by Hope

Last week I posted an article reprint about the 7 Commandments of Article Writing. James pointed out that another commandment should be added to this list–writing outside your comfort zone.

As James pointed out in his comment, a lot of writers write only about what they know best. After all, haven’t we been told time and again that we should write what we know? The biggest problem with doing this is that we never broaden our horizons. We simply regenerate stale, worn-out pieces of writing, when we should be producing fresh, animated, enlightening works.

I did some quick research and discovered that lots of established writers are stepping outside those “write what you know” boundaries. Here are some examples of writers who admonish other writers to jump outside that cage:

• Jenna Glatzer - How to Outgrow “Write What You Know”
• Bob Freiday - Write What You Know?! Ha!
• Edward Willett - Write What You Know?

And those are just a few articles that I came up with. There are quite a bit more out there on this very topic. In fact, check out this discussion on the Barnes & Noble forums.

Furthermore, writing only about what you know could get you in a heap of trouble. If you don’t believe me, go read this article. This poor guy got beat up by his neighbors, and now they’ve been found guilty of assault against him.

Drawing from your personal experience is a fantastic way to pull together intricate details that you might not be able to write otherwise. But taking on a topic that you know nothing about forces you to study and learn something new. It broadens your horizons in ways that you would never get if you just kept writing about “what you know.”

Learning how to research and gather important information for your “blind” project are skills that just about any writer can use. As James points out, not only will you become more knowledgable, but you’ll learn how to write passionately on subjects that you know absolutely nothing about.

As a professional writer, I’ve written on topics that I knew nothing about and didn’t want to know anything about. But after I successfully completed those projects, I became more knowledgable about those subjects than I was before. If the opportunity arises in the future to write again on those topics, I have a foundation on which to build upon for the next project.

Technorati Tags: write what you know, commandments of article writing, writing, writing articles

Popularity: 11% [?]