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This week: Beginning to Become a Better Writer Edited by: Vivian  
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Sad to say, much writing needs much work to be good. I've been asked where a person should begin to improve his writing. I'll try to give some pointers to help.
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Beginning to Become a Better Writer
Before anyone can build a house, he needs to know how to build a house. Before anyone can write well, he needs to learn how to write, and to write well. Therefore, we should study, learn, and practice.
We can learn by going to classes, workshops, and conferences. We can read articles online or in writing magazines. Now everything written is valid, or not usable for every writer, but reading is a good starting point.
None of us will ever know everything about the craft of writing, including me. I have studied writing for over 50 years, and I taught writing for 30, but I am still learning, too.
In order for writing to keep readers' attention and interest, it must be well written, which means more than putting an interesting story on the computer or on paper.
Then what does good writing require other than knowing and applying the craft of writing?
1. Correct grammar is required (except in the case of dialogue in dialect).
2. Correct sentence and grammatical mechanics are needed. This point means correct subject/verb agreement, correct sentence structure, correct pronoun reference and usage, sentence variety, etc.
3. Correct spelling is a MUST. Correct spelling includes using correct words in context. Words that sound the same but are spelled differently are misspelled if the wrong word is used: For example, they're, their, and there mean completely different things.
4. Correct punctuation is important to avoid confusion.
The only exceptions for not using correct grammar, mechanics, and spelling is when using dialogue. However, even in dialogue, correct punctuation helps avoid confusion.
Next month, I'll add more about becoming a better writer.
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Words for Our Readers
Steve adding writing to ntbk. 
Thanks for sharing in the WdC.
Utilized the featured items to review and emailed one whom I did not review. Let them all know they were featured here.
You are important to the WdC and thanks for finding us after your teaching career wound down.
Write on!
Copenator out!
{iser:ajaym}
Its really nice to know that you have served the aspiring writers so well.Our friendship has become our habit.Years teach us more than books.But the art of being wise is to know what to overlook.Happy Birthday!-Ajay
Thanks for the comments for last issue. Hope your writing becomes ever better.
Hope everyone returns next month, after I've had surgery on my left shoulder, and maybe I'll no longer be in an immobilizer.
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For Authors: October 24, 2012 Issue [#5321]
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