How can you ensure your entire web site’s content is consistent? This takes special significance if you’re content is developed by more than one person. Being consistent is one of keys to making your writing exceptional.

My first suggestion for you is to use a style sheet. A style sheet is simply a list of words and phrases that you add to. You start with a big sheet of paper divided into eight boxes: ABCD, EFGH, IJKL, MNOP, QRST, UVWXYZ, Numbers, and Names.

Then every time you use a word that has more than one acceptable style you add word to appropriate box. For example, if you decide on e-Commerce as form (which could be equally written as eCommerce or E-Commerce) add phrase to EFGH box on your style sheet. Then every time you go to use word you check first against your style sheet, rather than looking back through earlier web pages you have written to see how you spelt it.

Over time your style sheet will build up to point where you need a page for each box. But style sheet allows you to have a single, easy to refer to place where you list all words and phrases that you need to use consistently.

The style sheet also becomes an especially valuable resource when changes need to be made to your web site.

My second suggestion is to have a few rules to follow that allow you to avoid your weaknesses. For instance I have a problem in that I waffle. When I do this my sentences can easily run and run. So one rule I have is that no sentence can be more than thirty words long. Another problem I have is that I tend to use stale, stuffy phrases instead of simple words. So another rule in my edit list is to check to ensure I use simple language.

And above all ‘What’s in it for them?’. What I mean is I try to focus on visitor to my web site and write language from their perspective, needs and focus.

In proofreading following helps:

Let it sit: Never proofread just after writing. You’re too close to your words and your ego needs time away from text in order to evaluate it subjectively.

Read it aloud: This gives a new perspective. As you hear words you can better gauge sentence length and how your words will sound to someone else.

Exchange it with a colleague: Perhaps risky but a guaranteed way to improve. Give your text to someone you respect and trust. Ask for their feedback.

Read it backwards, from bottom to top: Reading backwards allows you to pick up typos, repetitions, and other mechanical errors. You will read actual words written, not what you meant to write.

Use reference materials: Even professional writers use dictionaries, punctuation handbooks and spelling guides.

Finally, after you’ve carefully proofread your document ask:

Have I accomplished my original purpose in writing?

Did I tell reader what I want?

I really hope this has given you some ideas to achieve quality content.

The bottom line? You have just lost a shot at big time. You get to start over with a new book. And you'll probably have to hunt up another agent as well.

Why Risk it?

Don't sell or release any of your rights to any of your work until absolutely convinced it is not salable to a major print publisher. Then, and only then, should you consider taking it to Web and seeing what you can make happen.

A Case In Point

I finished "They Who Betray" (available on this site) in late 1991. I gave up trying to sell it in 1994. Even earlier, it was obvious major houses were no longer interested in this kind of tale. The manuscript has been dozing on various computer disks ever since.

While I'd love to have sold it to Pocket Book, I wasn't able to. So off to Web I have gone. I'm excited about possibilities. While fame and glory is unlikely to be obtained, lots of people will find they like tale. And that will be a win for me, any way you look at it.

But I would never have made this move had I believed there was even a chance of selling it to a major house. If you're serious about your writing career, you'll follow same path. Head for Web as last resort, never as starting point.

One Exception

All who climb a mountain do not hunger to become a noted mountaineer. And all who write a book, do not yearn to be an established author. So if you wrote a book for fun of it, and now want to share it with family and friends, jump right into Web bit.

Check out services available or self-publish on your own. Either way, go for it.

Play By The Rules

But if you're serious about writing and dream of becoming an established author, take conservative, conventional route. This gives you greatest opportunity for success.

Yes, I know. The competition is fierce. But there's a bit of this on Web as well. The last numbers I saw suggest there are over 100,000 titles available on Internet.

To sell effectively through any website, you'll need a heck of a book. Then you'll have to somehow find your way beyond all those "Buy-Me!" pleas associated with each and every one of those 100,000+ titles.

Can it be done? Sure. But it's not easy. Certainly it's not easier than gaining confidence of an agent who can sell your work to a major publishing house. ________________________