Author's Note: I know, there's probably lots of articles about writing, so here's another one for you. I tried to make it different than any other you've read. By the way, just because I'm giving you these tips doesn't mean I always follow them. I'm not perfect, so don't hate in the BBS, please.
Ah, writing. Writing, my favorite thing to do. Writing, it ranks just above reading. Writing, it's amazing. Writing, it's . . . Writing. Have you ever wanted to write? If you answered no, then there is no real point to reading this article, and you might as well go to the top of your screen by the address of the page and click on that little left arrow. But if you answered yes, stay put! So, Cass' tips for writing:
Numero Uno: Proofread! It helps a lot, especially if you are going to submit it to the Times, when that stuff helps the editor choose your article.
2: Stay away from chatspeak. Maybe an "LOL" or ":)" or something like that, once in a while, but no: "U" replacing "you," no lowercase I's (when they're alone), no replacing "know" with "no", nothing like that.
C: If you're writing an informative article, make sure you get your facts right. Make sure they're from a reliable source. Wikipedia is great, but you can't always trust it. Always double check any information you get from Wiki on at least one other website. Really, you should do that with any information you get from any site. Remember, anyone can make a website. If I wanted to, I could make a website all about baseball. You know what I know about baseball? Next to nothing. Yeah.
4: When you have writer's block, just write about anything, and you'll probably get inspired or get an idea. In fact, the way I thought of this was when I couldn't think of anything to write about so I went on writeordie.drwicked.com and started writing. I couldn't think of anything, so I just wrote, "Writing, writing, writing, writing," to fill up the empty space, so I thought, 'Hey, why not write about how to write?'
Cinq: Read, read, read! Reading helps expand your vocabulary and you see other people's writing, which you can use to help your writing.
F: Ask for and accept constructive criticism. Hearing people's suggestions about your writing will help you improve it. Listen to them carefully, and work on whatever they say. If someone says, for instance, "I didn't like how you worded that paragraph, I think you should do it this way: . . ." listen to them. Next time, see if you can word it like they said, it might actually help you.
7: Write a lot. Practice makes perfect. It's true, it really is. I'm practicing every time I write an article for the Times. I'm practicing as I write this. I'm not a perfect writer, and I'll admit that, because it's true. I just started writing not too long ago, and I don't know much about writing. Sure, I know the basics, but honestly, I'm next to clueless compared to what I could know, and hopefully will know eventually.
Ate: Chek your speling and gramar. Read it alowed and see if it sounds write. Althow spel chek mite be your friend, it doesn't catch evrything, so make sure you chek it yourself!
Eye: Watch out for tricky words, like there, they're, and their.
Ten: The English language is weird. Watch out for those silent E's, though most of us know that, those silent K's, sometimes P's. There are a lot of silent letters.
I guess that pretty much covers everything. All I have left is to say again, write, write, write and read, read, read! Oh, and be creative. Off to go read "The Red Pyramid", by Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series. I finally got it. I've wanted it since it came out in early May. Adios, amigos, escribe y lee mucho! (Write and read a lot!) And don't forget it.
~Cass
