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I’ve always been interested in the spiritual/psychological side of writing. While I do enjoy a good instructional book on the mechanics of writing, I’ve often longed for a book that explores the non-technical aspects of composition, the unseen side that drives (and halts) the creative process.

Unfortunately, few books have satisfied that desire. That was until I stumbled upon an unusual little book called Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg.

The General Idea

After reading the introduction which lays down the framework for the rest of the book, I knew I had found what I looking for, a non-traditional look at the underlying psychology of writing.

Following the introduction, Goldberg  presents a series of brief personal musings describing her methods for capturing what she calls “first thoughts,” those intriguing and sometimes frightening ideas that pop into our heads before our internal editors step in and say: You can’t say that. People will think your crazy.

Goldberg believes those initial ideas infuse your writing with the genuine, raw emotion needed for creating truly unique literature.

She says: “First thoughts have tremendous energy. It is the way the mind first flashes on something. The internal censor usually squelches them, so we live in the realm of second and third thoughts, thoughts on thought, twice and three times removed from the direct connection of the first flash” (p.9).

Starting with the Basics

Before writing her book, Goldberg spent years teaching writing to all kinds of groups. She is able to step back into the mind of a new writer and start with the basics. She leaves no aspect out. One of my favorite chapters, “Beginner’s Mind, Pen and Paper,” starts with the most fundamental thing in all writing, choosing a pen.

While that kind of advice may seem trivial, it helps to start small.

The tools a writer chooses are as important as the kind of instrument a musician plays or the medium an artist chooses to create with.

Goldberg claims she uses a fountain pen to write because it’s faster and that’s how she likes to write. On the other hand, I like ballpoint pens because they move slow across the page.  My mind functions best at a slow, steady pace.

You might prefer to type your thoughts on a computer. And somebody else might prefer the feel of a manual typewriter.

Your preferred writing tools can effect the quality of your output. So choose what works best for you.

Walk then Run

After reintroducing the very basics of writing craft, Goldberg goes on to reveal a series of essays gleaned from personal experiences and advice from authors like Ernest Hemingway and Jack Kerouac.

Like she says in the introductions, you can read the chapters in order or you can read them out of order. It doesn’t matter. Each section touches on a different issue.

If it’s your first time reading the book, I would suggest reading it in order. You’ll end with a well-rounded understanding of Goldberg’s general philosophy.

Not a Step-by-Step Guidebook

Warning: if you’re looking for a guidebook, look somewhere else. There are few exercises or writing prompts. Goldberg encourages you to trust your own mind and come up with your own exercises and topics.

You have to do more than simply read the book and follow the instructions.

It’s all about finding and understanding your voice through scheduled practice and uninhibited thinking. At times, Goldberg’s a little out there. And her talk about Zen Buddhism may offend some.

But if your looking for something different, something non-traditional, try reading Writing Down the Bones. It’s helped my writing. And it can help yours.

Let’s face it, a headline will either make or break an article.

Whether you’re writing an article for a blog, a newspaper, or a magazine, the headline is the first (and possibly only) thing your audience will read. If you want them to continue reading, the headline should be short, intriguing, and indicative of the content.

The main purpose of a headline is to grab the reader’s attention. You’re making a promise to the reader. Your headline should say: “This is what the article is about.” Don’t make any promises you can’t keep for the sake of cleverness. A funny or exciting headline can certainly grab attention. But once you have the reader’s attention, it’s your responsibility to deliver. If you don’t, and if you don’t do it fast, your reader is bound to move on.

That being said, let’s take a look at a few common types of headlines. These should seem familiar to you.

Four Headline Categories that Work

The following headline categories are time-tested. They work and have worked for a long time. They are not the only types of headlines. But they are the most common. Master these first before experimenting with more creative headlines. Like they say, “crawl before you walk.”

The News Headline

Open any newspaper, and you’ll see this kind of headline in bold lettering splattered all over the page. It’s usually short and informative. Because newspapers have a limited amount of space, articles like the and a are omitted. Only use this kind of headline if your article is presenting information that is news. For example: Baby Learns to Breakdance or Man Found Dead in Bed.

The How-to Headline

This kind of headline can be found anywhere. It’s simple; it’s intriguing; and it makes a concrete promise to the reader. As long as you follow through with that promise, this kind of headline can’t miss. For example: How to Write a Headline or How to Walk on Burning Coals.

The Question Headline

The question headline is very basic. It asks a question. And the article should answer it. This type of headline works because it speaks directly to the reader. For example, for this article, I could have asked: Want to Write Better Headlines? But I didn’t. Instead I used the fourth type of headline.

The Command Headline

Think about what you want your readers to get out of your article. Then state it in the headline leading with a verb. It’s as simple as that. I want my readers to write better headlines and my article shows them how.  The command headline is bold and straightforward. But you better deliver.

Take Your Time

Finally, now that you know how to construct a few basic headlines, try writing headlines for your own articles or articles you find online or in print. Write the headlines using all the categories I’ve outlined, and have fun. Writers often spend a huge amount of time writing headlines. They’re that important. So take your time and get it right. Your readers will thank you.

So you’ve finished writing the copy for your website.

Congratulations! Writing effective copy without the help of an experienced copywriter can be a daunting task.

At this point, to insure the quality of the copy, you should consider handing it over to a copyeditor. A copyeditor checks written material before publication for errors in grammar, spelling, usage, and style.

And, if requested, he or she may alter the structure of the copy where appropriate, and rewrite wordy or convoluted sections in keeping with the author’s original intent and voice.

However, before you hand the copy over to the copyeditor, it’s important to be honest about the quality of the text. How much more work does the copy need? Does it need a simple proofread? Or will it require more extensive work?

If you’re not sure, ask the copyeditor. He or she will recommend one of three levels of copyediting. Each level determines the extent of editing required by the copy. But remember you have the final say. Decide which level you think is appropriate and make that clear to the copyeditor so he or she doesn’t make any unexpected changes to the document.

Let’s take a look at the three levels of copyediting-light, medium, and heavy.

Light Copyediting (Baseline Editing)

Light copyediting involves one or two quick passes through the document. Unless otherwise directed, the copyeditor performs the following duties:

• Corrects faulty grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Corrects faulty usage (i.e. affect for effect).
• Ensures consistency in spelling, font, numerals, hyphenation, and capitalization.
• Points out paragraphs that seem convoluted or wordy, but does not revise.
• Queries facts and statements that seem incorrect.
• Note text, tables, or illustrations that may require permission to reprint.

A light copyedit does not involve changing the structure of the document, smoothing transitions, revising wordy or convoluted patches, or writing headers. If you think your document needs help with these issues, consider the next level of copyediting.

Medium Copyediting

Medium copyediting involves at least two passes through a document and some minor rewriting where obvious problems arise in the text. To be exact, the copyeditor performs the following duties:

• Completes all tasks of a light copyedit.
• Identifies advisable alterations to the structure or organization of the document.
• Points out wordy or convoluted passages, and suggests revisions.
• Queries facts that seem incorrect, and uses books and online resources to verify content.
• Queries gaps in structure or logic.

A medium copyedit does not involve altering the structure or organization of the material, rewriting wordy or convoluted patches, or fixing incorrect facts. If your copy requires help with these issues, consider the highest level of copyediting.

Heavy Copyediting

Heavy copyediting requires extensive involvement with the text and may include heavy revisions of the language and structure. The copyeditor performs the following duties:

• Completes all tasks of a medium copyedit.
• Provides needed alterations to the structure of the text for author to review.
• Corrects all errors in grammar, usage, and syntax.
• Rewrites any convoluted or wordy sections.
• Verifies and revises incorrect facts.
• Fixes structural and logical gaps.

A heavy copyedit should improve the flow of the document along with the spelling, grammar, and usage. But ultimately, the goal of any copyeditor is to maintain the author’s original voice and intent.

Conclusion

There you have it-the three levels of copyediting. Figure out which level your copy requires, and soon you’ll be on your way to more professional, polished content for your website.

And if you’re looking for an experienced copyeditor, consider visiting my contact page. I’d be happy to assist you with your project.

A picture of me writing after receiving a bad haircut.

A writer writes. That’s how he or she improves. But we often overlook other factors that are just as important as maintaining a rigid writing schedule.

For my first post, I’m offering a list of three such factors. Incorporate these basic practices into your daily routine and watch as your work blossoms.

#1 Stay active

As writers, we spend a lot of our day in front of a computer screen or bent over a desk. But did you know regular exercise can help stimulate brain growth? A little moderate exercise everyday keeps the mind clear and focused which can translate into clearer, more focused writing.

#2 Eat right

Like exercise, eating the right foods will improve your brain’s functioning. If your brain is working at full-capacity, it will produce thoughts that are more accurate and relevent to what you’re writing.

Reportedly, foods like wild salmon, blueberries, and nuts enhance your brains ability to focus. But really what’s most important is eating a well-balanced diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, carbohydrates, and a little fat.

#3 Get out

Often, when we start running out of fresh ideas, the reason is boredom. If your at home all day, stuck in your own little world, your thoughts can become stale and cyclical. You need to step outside for awhile. Go to the grocery store, visit a friend, watch a movie at the theater–any of these activities can awaken new, creative ideas and enliven your writing.

Make it a habit

I guarantee these tips will improve your writing but only if you make them a habit. Incorporate them into your day-to-day operations and see for yourself.

If you have any tips of your own, please feel free to share them below. Thank you and keep on writing!

This website is currently under construction. Hopefully, in a few days, I’ll have all the pages written and posted so you–the reader–can access all the information you need. If you have any constructive criticisms that might make my sight better, head over to my contact page and send me an email. Thanks for your help!