This is essentially a summary of all main points

mentioned before.

I believe key to writing good articles lies in good

PLANNING.

Collecting your material and thinking clearly.

Spend a quiet time thinking before you even set pen to paper.

Ask for inspiration.

Your article should answer five questions of a very

inquisitive person:

WHO

WHAT

WHERE

HOW

and

WHEN

I've just remembered I used to drive my dad 'dilly' with those questions when I was a kid.

"Inquisitive little bugger!"

As I mentioned, title and your first words are of vital importance to grab your reader's attention.

Make them want to read more.

Develop your theme step by step - it's like building a wall brick by brick.

Plan what you are going to say, and how you are going to say it.

Make a list of your main points.

Then elaborate on them.

Progress logically, naturally and smoothly from one to another, so that they lead to a conclusion.

I'm repeating myself, not out of senility... but for effect.

Also saves me trouble of even more editing!

Have a strong summary to round off your article.

If you know exactly how you are going to end off , more easily you will shape article as a whole.

It's like starting off with a piece of clay then moulding and shaping it.

You are adding your personal touch, a bit of your personality, your individual thoughts and creativity to sculpture of life.

It is a bittle bit of real you coming out - a little of you and your unique "work of art" is being expressed to world.

PRESENTATION

Not one of my strong points, but here are a few points to help you...hopefully!

# Present your work on A4 size paper.*

# Type on one side of page only.

# Use "double space" between lines.

# Leave a margin of at least 1 inch (25cm) each side, top and bottom.

# Have a Title Page with name of writer on it. Makes you feel quite proud of your 'little effort'!

# Use a Header with Title, Your Name and Page No.

Much easier writing for www and being published on net. No chopping down trees, so "greenies" must be very happy.

OTHER POINTERS

I firmly believe writing articles should be entertaining as well as informative. I aim for that in my writing STYLE.

Don't be too impersonal - put in little anecdotes about yourself.

Also don't be afraid to express personal opinions on issues.

(I must learn to keep quiet at times!)

So why not start writing that article.

You may even see that article published.

Seeing my first article in print gave me a big thrill.

Now use your creative imagination to fullest and happy writing. Perhaps I may even see your name in print.

Good luck and happy writing

Craig Lock

Creative Writing Course

http://www.nzenterprise.com/writer/creative.html

Craig Lock

To sum up... My advice is just find your "natural style" by writing as you speak- as practice writing in your "natural style" breeds confidence. Then submit your articles to ezines and announcement lists, like Article Announce, Free Content and Publish In Yours. I find this marketing method by far most effective means of getting traffic to our various sites (and one thing then leads to another)... and best of all it costs nothing, but a little time and effort!

Make sure your layout is good (not one of my strong points!), as this greatly enhances your prospects of getting published.

Hope this may help you readers "out there in cyberspace".

Happy writing and

Just GO FOR IT

Craig Lock