what is the fastest and effective way to write an article?

**jv17** · 04-29-2008, 01:48 PM

last month, I started to work as a content writer and my boss didn't accept my articles..I know I'm stupid or dumb that's why I really need help from you guys..

**chrishirst** · 04-29-2008, 07:12 PM

Maybe time for a new job.

**lovekissing** · 04-30-2008, 02:47 AM

have you checked the grammar or have ask your boss exactly what type of article he likes...

**Feydakin** · 04-30-2008, 08:42 AM

Not everyone can write.. It's even harder for amateur writers if you don't have a passion for what you are writing about.. We brought on a new kid at the store, recently out of college, and I asked him to write an article for the website.. It was utter garbage.. He simply can't write..

Doesn't make him stupid, or dumb, he's just not a writer and I won't be asking him to write any more articles.. I'll find something else for him to do while I focus on the writing..

If you really want to write then consider taking some writing classes at a local college or night school.. They will help..

**VirtuosiMedia** · 04-30-2008, 03:15 PM

Maybe you could post a paragraph or two of something you've written and we could help out...

**vangogh** · 05-01-2008, 12:19 AM

Jerome feel free to post a paragraph or two like VirtuousMedia suggested.

Some general advice is to read great writers and practice writing yourself. Most of us aren't born great writers. Everyone needs practice. The more you write the better you get. You can take classes in writing or just pick up some books about writing more effectively.

I find reading literary masters helps a lot. After reading enough literary works you pick up on the rhythms and styles of great writers and you start to incorporate them into your own writing. I'm not sure what the subject is your boss wants, but I guarantee there are some good writers currently creating content on a similar subject. Find what they write and start reading it.

**chrishirst** · 05-01-2008, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jv17

I started to work as a content writer and my boss didn't accept my articles..

Take the advice offered in this thread from #3 onwards and do something about it.
Karon Thakston's Copywriting Course for example.

Nobody can turn you into a writer if you don't have the innate ability to write.
You can teach just about anyone to paint, but very rarely would they become an artist.
You can teach people to perform on stage. But to be an actor, needs a certain flair.
The same is true of Writers
Being able to be effusive about any subject, or to wax lyrically on any given topic is not a learned behaviour. As with many of the arts, it is a creative skill.
If, however, you have a good grasp of grammar, punctuation and (more importantly) are fluent in the language you are communicating in, being a technical author and making incomprehensible programmers or developers jargon and notes into something for mere mortals to read may be more your forté.

BUT While you have this attitude;

Quote:

Originally Posted by jv17

I know I'm stupid or dumb that's why I really need help from you guys..

No amount of "help" from anyone will make you into an author and my advice in post #2 will be the better option.

**VirtuosiMedia** · 05-01-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Nobody can turn you into a writer if you don't have the innate ability to write.

I think anyone can become a technically competent writer and follow grammatical rules correctly. You can be taught to communicate in a professional manner that won't embarrass you or your employer. If nothing else will work, rote memorization should at least be able to accomplish that.

However, that's a far cry from being able to write something that people want to read or will enjoy reading. Mere competency or grammatical accuracy simply won't cut it. The ability to express voice, passion, and personality through writing can be taught, but only to an extent. Imagination and creativity are immeasurables that set apart competent writers from good writers and good writers from great writers.

**tamar** · 05-01-2008, 05:03 PM

I remember in high school, my teacher would never like my writing. Now I am a "professional writer" (or so they say).

Ask your boss what his criticisms are and work from there. If you get our advice, we may say "WOW, that's great!" but you still need to report to your boss. Personally, I write for a very big blog and most of my content is well-received by readers but not by my editor. In other words, it really doesn't matter what the world thinks - it matters about who you report to.

And how do you achieve efficiency as a writer? Just write. Write a lot and keep writing.

**colbyt** · 05-01-2008, 07:59 PM

Write 5-10 sentences that cover the article content, place them in order and flesh them out to paragraphs. When I went to school this was called an outline.

Discover your own style (formal, conversational, etc) or the style you boss likes and stick with it.

For me it is a very slow process. I could never be fast enough to make money at it.

**wogazm** · 05-01-2008, 11:09 PM

why not outsource it to someone else and take credit for it?

**Rachel Rofe** · 05-04-2008, 11:16 PM

Always have an opening, three main points, and a conclusion. In the opening, talk about what the points inside are going to be. COnversational is usually the easiest for people to read and what I recommend.

**Plugin-Developer** · 05-04-2008, 11:31 PM

I'd like to see some samples of your writing, also. I think that would make it easier to help you to become a better writer. Without samples, there is nothing to critique. With no critique, there is no way to get better with our help.

Did the person who rejected your articles give you a specific reason on why he did so?

**NaughtyGirl** · 05-06-2008, 10:08 AM

I have to agree with Tamar... I'd love to stick my published books up my high school creative writing teacher's butt.

My advice, ask for samples of articles they have accepted and compare them with your own. Ask for guidance from your co-workers in your area. Ask your boss for corrections or redirection.

Keep a positive attitude!

Good luck!

**vapourlock** · 05-08-2008, 10:08 AM

The fastest and the most effective way to write is to WRITE.

Daily, one after the other -- of course, like my friends here suggested, you will do well to go on and pick some lessons on grammar,I didn't need to.

The fundamentals go like this - great reading habits produce great writing habits . If you make it a habit to read good stuff everyday , whenever you can, your brain starts to pick up the skill. Writing, then, becomes the output.

Writing can be easy if you write everyday. That's why most writers are encouraged to have their own blogs such that they get to write everyday; maintain a couple of posts that can double up as a portfolio and also act as a lead generation tool.

Practice is everything. Do it.

**longroad** · 05-09-2008, 12:34 AM

Practice practice practice.

As already mentioned, if you keep doing it, you will get better. Aim to write 5 articles per day, within a few weeks your skill will have increased and more than likely, so will your speed.