I'm a writer living in England. I have written a novel, 'St Brodag's Isle', which is supported by a website (http://www.stbrodag.com) and a newsletter. 2002 is going to be my campaign year - a year in which I intend to make a living out of my writing. As I go through year, I'll be posting articles such as this one, which will detail step-by-step approach that I'm going to be taking. I'll be honest with my failures as well as my triumphs. And in a year's time I hope to be looking back at a year that exceeded my expectations.

Right, so what have I been up to in recent weeks? I'm glad you asked.

My subscription list has DOUBLED! Granted, I don't have a list of 20,000 members but I reckon that's not a bad performance since Christmas. And what about sales of my book? Well, again it's progress - long, hard, slow progress - but progress nonetheless. I won't be moving to Monaco just yet but I might be able to buy food next week!

In some ways, people can write differently to way they speak.

I don't usually speak much...but I use plenty of words in my writing!

Good style is essential in any writing.

You won't get published without good style.

It means writing with clarity and precision.

Writing is a craft which needs to be learned and practised, so be self critical.

I try to write simply and with little doses of my 'weird' or ' bizarre' (not bazaar) sense of humour and have written this article in a "short and sharp, punchy" style.

I also have a serious, yet simple style for my novels on South Africa. They are written "from heart" In a totally different style to this lesson/article's "brief, punchy and to point" style. I wrote ANGOLAN DAWN in a different style to my other novels to portray way an unsophisti- cated big word!) Angolan migrant labourer would see world, think and speak.

In my non-fiction works, like this article and my self-help books, I try to write in a style that will best accomplish my writing aim: to "inform, entertain and hopefully even inspire people to reach out and become all they are CAPABLE of being".

HOW TO USE DIFFERENT STYLES

Your style can vary from time to time to suit subject.

A good writer is able to vary their style to suit subject matter andthe publication concerned.

For example, use short simple sentences when writing for very young children.

When writing articles for magazines, keep them strictly factual and to point.

No room for my flowery sort of language!

Style varies from publication to publication.

Some prefer to stick strictly to facts of matter, while others allow their writers to digress.

IS YOUR MEANING CLEAR?

That for me is good style.

TONE This reveals your unique personality. It means "how are you coming across" ? #

# Can I end a sentence with a "preppie"?

Is your tone angry, arrogant, breezy, sarcastic, bitter, ironic, cynical or informal? What do you think is tone of this lesson (article)?

Tone may be used to inform or instruct.

You should use variety in your choice of rhythms.

In my non-fiction works, I try to write in a simple and unobtrusive style, with odd "whacky" bit of humour thrown in to keep reader entertained,as well as informed.

I believe anyone can improve their style by reading and writing more.