| Topic: |
Sociology > Depression |
| User: |
"DaKitty" |
| Date: |
19 Oct 2004 09:36:48 PM |
| Object: |
Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
I've been asked to write couple of articles, I don't know two things about
writing articles, or writing in general, other than shooting from the hip
when telling stories.
I told people I can't write and that it will need heavy editing, they tell
me, Nooo, We've seen your posts, you can write.
Methinks being in a habit of saying a lot doesn't equate to knowing how to
write.
Anyway... Could you guys perhaps point me to some good crash course and
research materials online if you're aware of any?
Thanks a bunch! :)
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| User: "Gayle" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
20 Oct 2004 10:37:41 AM |
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DaKitty wrote:
I've been asked to write couple of articles, I don't know two things about
writing articles, or writing in general, other than shooting from the hip
when telling stories.
I told people I can't write and that it will need heavy editing, they tell
me, Nooo, We've seen your posts, you can write.
Methinks being in a habit of saying a lot doesn't equate to knowing how to
write.
Anyway... Could you guys perhaps point me to some good crash course and
research materials online if you're aware of any?
Thanks a bunch! :)
What kind of article and for what kind of publication? There
are tons of helpful books and online resources -- but there
are also tons of reasons for something being written in the
first place. Are these articles related to your profession?
Are they intended for an in-house venue, e.g. newsletter,
white paper, etc.? Or are they hoping for placement in a trade
journal?
If you can offer more details, I can (perhaps) offer some
slightly helpful advice. I encourage you to grab this
opportunity. You have a talent, imo, and that's something that
can't be learned. But, as in any craft, there are techniques
that can be learned. imo.
If you're interested, you can see some samples of my work here:
http://www.gayleco.com
Gayle
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| User: "DaKitty" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
20 Oct 2004 01:17:50 PM |
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"Gayle" <gayleco@rcn.com> wrote in message
news:bdcc5$41768646$d19632ad$27992@allthenewsgroups.com...
DaKitty wrote:
I've been asked to write couple of articles, I don't know two things
about
writing articles, or writing in general, other than shooting from the
hip
when telling stories.
I told people I can't write and that it will need heavy editing, they
tell
me, Nooo, We've seen your posts, you can write.
Methinks being in a habit of saying a lot doesn't equate to knowing how
to
write.
Anyway... Could you guys perhaps point me to some good crash course and
research materials online if you're aware of any?
Thanks a bunch! :)
What kind of article and for what kind of publication? There
are tons of helpful books and online resources -- but there
are also tons of reasons for something being written in the
first place. Are these articles related to your profession?
Are they intended for an in-house venue, e.g. newsletter,
white paper, etc.? Or are they hoping for placement in a trade
journal?
It's about swimming, a human interest kind of a story, somethiong to
motivate new swimmers and those who are thinking abut getting in the water.
Most of it from my own experience, some form few other people's experiences.
It's for the parent organization of my swim team, USMS-United States Masters
Swimming, to be put on their website, and possibly included in their monthly
magazine.
I post on their bulletin board (a lot) and have gotten involved in few other
things, and their magazine editor approached me asking if I'd be interested
in writing an article or two.... Being that I seem to have a lot to say, and
have a lot of ideas.
If you can offer more details, I can (perhaps) offer some
slightly helpful advice. I encourage you to grab this
opportunity. You have a talent, imo, and that's something that
Me? Talent? for writing? Thanks, but.... Ryyyght!
I know I have other talents, but I don't think writing is it!
can't be learned. But, as in any craft, there are techniques
that can be learned. imo.
If you're interested, you can see some samples of my work here:
http://www.gayleco.com
Gayle
Awesome stuff, thanks for sharing that. :)
I need to take a bit more time to look at it in more detail, but wanted to
respond to your post first. :)
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| User: "Gayle" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
20 Oct 2004 03:44:51 PM |
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DaKitty wrote:
It's about swimming, a human interest kind of a story, somethiong to
motivate new swimmers and those who are thinking abut getting in the water.
Most of it from my own experience, some form few other people's experiences.
It's for the parent organization of my swim team, USMS-United States Masters
Swimming, to be put on their website, and possibly included in their monthly
magazine.
I post on their bulletin board (a lot) and have gotten involved in few other
things, and their magazine editor approached me asking if I'd be interested
in writing an article or two.... Being that I seem to have a lot to say, and
have a lot of ideas.
I went on the national org's website and a few of the local
chapters. There are plenty of articles, e.g. "Establishing a
Swimming Routine", that offer a good sense of article lengths
and formats. Often, a print publication or website has
"writers' guidlines". If not, get more info from the editor
about an approximate word count that fits in with the general
style. Word count determines a lot re: the organization of
the article. Ask the editor to direct you to articles that are
similar to what he/she is asking for. Surf around for articles
on swimming and pay attention to both format and voice. You
won't be inventing a new style of writing, you'll be writing
an article that is similar to ones already published. You can
learn a lot about structure by reading the work of others.
It sounds like a "Why I swim" theme. You can write something
essay-ish about your personal answer to that. Another take
might be to ask other swimmers a simple question, "How do you
stay motivated?" You may see themes emerge in the answers that
will shape your article. And quotes usually make an article
stronger (imo).
Basically, pin the editor down for more direction; read a
bunch of articles already published by the org; measure
interest on the bulletin board about the topic you choose; and
hunker down and write. A 'style' book can help you with
punctuation and grammar. If you enjoy it and want to expand,
there are plenty of books with a "how to write a feature
article" theme that can offer lots of tips and techniques. I'm
sure there's a lot online, too.
Me? Talent? for writing? Thanks, but.... Ryyyght!
I know I have other talents, but I don't think writing is it!
Well, talent isn't the same as a developed skill -- but you've
got "voice", Connie, imo, and that's a difficult thing for a
skilled writer to acquire. And, although I've only read your
writing in the untamed wilds of Usenet, your skill in a
language that is not your first one is impressive. imo.
Gayle
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| User: "DaKitty" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
20 Oct 2004 11:57:02 PM |
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"Gayle" <gayleco@rcn.com> wrote in message
news:37a99$4176ce45$d19632ad$1882@allthenewsgroups.com...
DaKitty wrote:
It's about swimming, a human interest kind of a story, somethiong to
motivate new swimmers and those who are thinking abut getting in the
water.
Most of it from my own experience, some form few other people's
experiences.
It's for the parent organization of my swim team, USMS-United States
Masters
Swimming, to be put on their website, and possibly included in their
monthly
magazine.
I post on their bulletin board (a lot) and have gotten involved in few
other
things, and their magazine editor approached me asking if I'd be
interested
in writing an article or two.... Being that I seem to have a lot to say,
and
have a lot of ideas.
I went on the national org's website and a few of the local
chapters. There are plenty of articles, e.g. "Establishing a
Swimming Routine", that offer a good sense of article lengths
and formats. Often, a print publication or website has
"writers' guidlines". If not, get more info from the editor
about an approximate word count that fits in with the general
style. Word count determines a lot re: the organization of
the article. Ask the editor to direct you to articles that are
similar to what he/she is asking for. Surf around for articles
on swimming and pay attention to both format and voice. You
won't be inventing a new style of writing, you'll be writing
an article that is similar to ones already published. You can
learn a lot about structure by reading the work of others.
It sounds like a "Why I swim" theme. You can write something
essay-ish about your personal answer to that. Another take
might be to ask other swimmers a simple question, "How do you
stay motivated?" You may see themes emerge in the answers that
will shape your article. And quotes usually make an article
stronger (imo).
Basically, pin the editor down for more direction; read a
bunch of articles already published by the org; measure
interest on the bulletin board about the topic you choose; and
hunker down and write. A 'style' book can help you with
punctuation and grammar. If you enjoy it and want to expand,
there are plenty of books with a "how to write a feature
article" theme that can offer lots of tips and techniques. I'm
sure there's a lot online, too.
I kind of did that already. The editor is not giving me much of a direction
as far as he is concerned. I'm very familiar with just abut all of the
articles there. They want me to write some stuff for inclusion there. Most
likely in the fitness section, or getting started type articles.
Me? Talent? for writing? Thanks, but.... Ryyyght!
I know I have other talents, but I don't think writing is it!
Well, talent isn't the same as a developed skill --
Yea, true!
but you've
got "voice", Connie, imo, and that's a difficult thing for a
skilled writer to acquire.
Really? Wow! Hmm!
I suppose then I should pay more attention to my style.
On that other bulletin board I've become a minor celebrity, I suppose. At
swim meets we have people asking to meet me, and then telling me hoiw they
read and love my postings. I usualy feel like I wanna just dissapera, and
wonder... is it good or is it bad that they read them.... are they just
being nice saying they like them? I mean, I just wrtie what pops in my
head, and don't always considerthat there are going to be people reading it.
I sort of write it for my own benefit. Well, sometimes it's little bit like
performing on stage, or maybe for a TV show, where you don't see the
audience's immediate reaction, but you know it's there, so you turn it up a
notch for them.
And, although I've only read your
writing in the untamed wilds of Usenet, your skill in a
language that is not your first one is impressive. imo.
uh-oh, Thank You!
I used to be a lot better in my native language... even when it comes to
style... at least I was familiar with some of the writing terminology etc...
I suppose I could take a class. It wouldn't hurt.
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| User: "Whiskers" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
21 Oct 2004 04:16:16 PM |
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On 2004-10-21, DaKitty <Imgonna@dotcomsomething.net> wrote:
snip
uh-oh, Thank You!
I used to be a lot better in my native language... even when it comes to
style... at least I was familiar with some of the writing terminology etc...
I suppose I could take a class. It wouldn't hurt.
It might hurt; you could start to feel that you need to 'improve'
something, or that your 'style' is 'wrong'.
You /have/ a good style; it's /your/ style. People like it and want to
read more, not see it changed into something else!
Did Shakespere bother about grammar? No - he invented it when necessary
:)) He couldn't even spell properly by today's standards, let alone
construct a 'proper sentence'. If we want to read Shakespeare we read
Sheckespeer. We want to read Connie DaKitty :))
--
-- ^^^^^^^^^^
-- Whiskers
-- ~~~~~~~~~~
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| User: "DaKitty" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
21 Oct 2004 10:26:23 PM |
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"Whiskers" <catwheezel@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:0ill42-485.ln1@ID-107770.user.uni-berlin.de...
On 2004-10-21, DaKitty <Imgonna@dotcomsomething.net> wrote:
snip
uh-oh, Thank You!
I used to be a lot better in my native language... even when it comes to
style... at least I was familiar with some of the writing terminology
etc...
I suppose I could take a class. It wouldn't hurt.
It might hurt; you could start to feel that you need to 'improve'
something, or that your 'style' is 'wrong'.
You /have/ a good style; it's /your/ style. People like it and want to
read more, not see it changed into something else!
Did Shakespere bother about grammar? No - he invented it when necessary
:)) He couldn't even spell properly by today's standards, let alone
construct a 'proper sentence'. If we want to read Shakespeare we read
Sheckespeer. We want to read Connie DaKitty :))
awwwww! Thanks :)
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| User: "Whiskers" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
20 Oct 2004 07:36:18 AM |
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On 2004-10-20, DaKitty <Imgonna@dotcomsomething.net> wrote:
I've been asked to write couple of articles, I don't know two things about
writing articles, or writing in general, other than shooting from the hip
when telling stories.
I told people I can't write and that it will need heavy editing, they tell
me, Nooo, We've seen your posts, you can write.
Methinks being in a habit of saying a lot doesn't equate to knowing how to
write.
Anyway... Could you guys perhaps point me to some good crash course and
research materials online if you're aware of any?
Thanks a bunch! :)
Is this some sort of ploy to avoid getting started on the actual articles?
Typical of a real writer, that is!
In my opinion, if you start trying to 'do it right' or 'use this easy method'
then you'll end up burning a lot of energy producing nothing worthwhile.
And wreck your own self-confidence into the bargain.
You have a style of your own, and it's a good style, and no-one can write
your way better than you can, and you don't want to write like someone else
do you? (Well, maybe you do - but I think it's better to know your own
style very thoroughly before you can work out how to imitate a different
style.)
Just decide what you want to say, then write it. Try to get the spelling
and punctuation into a state that avoids unintentional confusion. If you
include 'facts', try to get them right. If you risk a libel action, be damn
sure you are right and have a good lawyer and irrefutable evidence.
Go for it, and have Fun! :)) (Yes, even writing technical stuff should be
fun for the writer).
--
-- ^^^^^^^^^^
-- Whiskers
-- ~~~~~~~~~~
.
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| User: "DaKitty" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
20 Oct 2004 01:08:59 PM |
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"Whiskers" <catwheezel@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:2n2i42-2h4.ln1@ID-107770.user.uni-berlin.de...
On 2004-10-20, DaKitty <Imgonna@dotcomsomething.net> wrote:
I've been asked to write couple of articles, I don't know two things
about
writing articles, or writing in general, other than shooting from the
hip
when telling stories.
I told people I can't write and that it will need heavy editing, they
tell
me, Nooo, We've seen your posts, you can write.
Methinks being in a habit of saying a lot doesn't equate to knowing how
to
write.
Anyway... Could you guys perhaps point me to some good crash course and
research materials online if you're aware of any?
Thanks a bunch! :)
Is this some sort of ploy to avoid getting started on the actual articles?
Typical of a real writer, that is!
I've never written a 'real article' in my life!
In my opinion, if you start trying to 'do it right' or 'use this easy
method'
then you'll end up burning a lot of energy producing nothing worthwhile.
And wreck your own self-confidence into the bargain.
You have a style of your own, and it's a good style, and no-one can write
your way better than you can, and you don't want to write like someone
else
do you? (Well, maybe you do - but I think it's better to know your own
style very thoroughly before you can work out how to imitate a different
style.)
Just decide what you want to say, then write it. Try to get the spelling
and punctuation into a state that avoids unintentional confusion. If you
include 'facts', try to get them right. If you risk a libel action, be
damn
sure you are right and have a good lawyer and irrefutable evidence.
Go for it, and have Fun! :)) (Yes, even writing technical stuff should
be
fun for the writer).
Hmmm! [scratching head]
Don't articles have to be in somesuch proper form etc... Can't write them
the same way I do usenet posts.
Aside from an occasional business letter, my writing doesn't get any more
formal than this!!!
Then, you might have a point,...'this' may just be okay for a 'human
interest' type story, relative to swimming.
.
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| User: "dennis" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
20 Oct 2004 06:47:04 PM |
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On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 19:36:48 -0700, "DaKitty"
<Imgonna@dotcomsomething.net> wrote:
I've been asked to write couple of articles, I don't know two things about
writing articles, or writing in general, other than shooting from the hip
when telling stories.
I told people I can't write and that it will need heavy editing, they tell
me, Nooo, We've seen your posts, you can write.
Methinks being in a habit of saying a lot doesn't equate to knowing how to
write.
Anyway... Could you guys perhaps point me to some good crash course and
research materials online if you're aware of any?
Thanks a bunch! :)
i do presentations. what are the articles about?
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| User: "DaKitty" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
20 Oct 2004 11:57:56 PM |
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"dennis" <later@notnow.net> wrote in message
news:p3tdn0dprmblims06smc11rp2apki0o609@4ax.com...
On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 19:36:48 -0700, "DaKitty"
<Imgonna@dotcomsomething.net> wrote:
I've been asked to write couple of articles, I don't know two things
about
writing articles, or writing in general, other than shooting from the hip
when telling stories.
I told people I can't write and that it will need heavy editing, they
tell
me, Nooo, We've seen your posts, you can write.
Methinks being in a habit of saying a lot doesn't equate to knowing how
to
write.
Anyway... Could you guys perhaps point me to some good crash course and
research materials online if you're aware of any?
Thanks a bunch! :)
i do presentations. what are the articles about?
Swimming, for US Masters Swimming, www.usms.org
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| User: "CyberDroog" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
20 Oct 2004 06:40:11 PM |
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On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 19:36:48 -0700, "DaKitty" <Imgonna@dotcomsomething.net>
wrote:
I've been asked to write couple of articles, I don't know two things about
writing articles, or writing in general, other than shooting from the hip
when telling stories.
I told people I can't write and that it will need heavy editing, they tell
me, Nooo, We've seen your posts, you can write.
Methinks being in a habit of saying a lot doesn't equate to knowing how to
write.
Anyway... Could you guys perhaps point me to some good crash course and
research materials online if you're aware of any?
Ian Fleming's simple advice (which I heard referenced by Douglas Adams):
Don't try to be literary, just be literate.
--
REPORTER, n. A writer who guesses his way to the truth and dispels it
with a tempest of words.
- Ambrose Bierce
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| User: "DaKitty" |
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| Title: Re: Ping: Alan Harding and other serious 'writers' |
20 Oct 2004 11:58:07 PM |
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"CyberDroog" <CyberDroog@ClockworkOrange.com> wrote in message
news:3otdn0hgjghumlcijhjustus823b8fs9g9@4ax.com...
On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 19:36:48 -0700, "DaKitty"
<Imgonna@dotcomsomething.net>
wrote:
I've been asked to write couple of articles, I don't know two things
about
writing articles, or writing in general, other than shooting from the hip
when telling stories.
I told people I can't write and that it will need heavy editing, they
tell
me, Nooo, We've seen your posts, you can write.
Methinks being in a habit of saying a lot doesn't equate to knowing how
to
write.
Anyway... Could you guys perhaps point me to some good crash course and
research materials online if you're aware of any?
Ian Fleming's simple advice (which I heard referenced by Douglas Adams):
Don't try to be literary, just be literate.
Good Point!
.
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