Takeaways: • As humans we are prone to mistakes, and as a writer you are especially vulnerable. • Errors can be relatively harmless, but they can also make you look silly and undermine your authority. • You can take steps to prevent errors and mistakes, improving your writing.

1. 10 Tricks
to Avoid
Writing
Something
Dedicated to All True Righters
By Darin L. Hammond | www.ZipMiniis.com

2. We write to communicate information
through language.

3. We compromise
our communication
when we make
MISTAKES

4. Errors can be
relatively
harmless, but they
make you look silly
and undermine
your authority.

6. Hint: It’s in the dedication.

7. We all look silly
sometimes.
Yes, that’s me looking
stupid.

8. Translation: “I don't care about my readers.”
ERRORS

9. However, accidents and stupidity can
be avoided,
using caution and resources.

10. Perfecting the details of your language illustrates you value your readers.

11. Try these techniques:

12. Don't be stupid: Above all, don't do
intentionally dumb things like plagiarizing or
whipping out a post in five minutes. Don't
post potentially embarrassing information or
images. Don't lie, but be real with your
readers.

13. Start writing early: By this, I mean
that you should begin writing a post
with ample time to do it right. You
need to follow the writing process,
which takes time: prewriting,
drafting, revising, and editing. Time
pressure leads to many mistakes that
you would not make if you had more
time.

14. Follow the writing process in a
nonlinear way: So, the writing process
listed above is a valuable source of
protection and prevention. Scholars
designed the model to efficiently
produce the best writing possible.
However, some believe you just start
at prewriting and work straight
through to editing.

15. Read and reread: You usually know
when your done with a post when
you get sick of reading through it
so many times. Rereading is
important though, and it's easy to
get careless. Mistakes slip through.
Try reading your post a paragraph
at a time from BACK to FRONT.

16. Recruit readers: Oftentimes
spouses and friends are the best
tools to help you catch silly
mistakes. Having other readers go
through your post before you
publish will help you avoid things
like spelling, grammar, wording,
and sentence errors.

17. Read aloud: Reading your writing
aloud makes you more objective
and able to catch problems because
it engages more (and different)
parts of your brain. It is not the
same as reading silently. Hearing
your words makes you more critical
of your language. It's best to read
the post aloud to another person.

18. Eliminate or reduce distractions:
Our minds are not great at multi-
tasking, contrary to what some
believe. Quit doing multiple things
at a time, and focus on the post at
hand. Also, you need a quiet,
comfortable place to write. You can
write anywhere, but make it
distraction free.

19. Research your topic: I am surprised
by how many bloggers obviously do
not research the topic they are
writing on. Authors have shared
important information about your
topic, almost guaranteed. Use the
research to inform your writing,
provide examples, include stories,
and learn, making sure to cite your
sources, even if you aren't quoting
word for word.

20. Talk out your ideas: Chat with fellow
bloggers and friends about your topic
and approach. See what they think.
Sometimes they are reluctant to
offer advice, but I find that if you ask
them specific questions, they do a
better job at giving feedback.

21. Use resources
to improve
your writing:
Whether you
find them on
the web or in
traditional
books, a mass
of advice on
how to improve
your writing is
available.

22. With the right kind of hard work, your writing will be
polished round and perfect.