Tips for Better Writing

Remember Your First Draft Is a First Draft.
Whether you are writing a long or short journaling entry, start with a first draft. Don't concentrate on the exact words and ideas of your journaling entry. Use the first draft as an opportunity to get your ideas down on paper. Do not worry about grammar and spelling at this point. The point of a first draft is to get the basic ideas and thoughts on paper. The actual wording will undoubtedly be changed during the rewriting stage. A typical rough draft might look like the following:

I had been eyeing the fondue making pots in the stores. When my birthday came I decided to get myself a fondue maker. Shortly after my biethday, we had a meal with meat fondue and several dipping saucnes.

Clearly, the subject of the journaling entry is here but it is not finished. The writing isn't completely clear and there are spelling errors. It's only a rough draft, though, so it's okay.

Focus on Your Subject.
When writing, keep your subject in focus. Your subject should be the topic of each paragraph in your writing. Off-topic writing confuses the reader and creates longer, less relevant writing. In my paragraph example above, I kepr the journaling focused on the fondue pot. I could have included other details about my birthday but it would have distracted from the focus of the journaling - the fondue pot.

Avoid Long Paragraphs.
Long paragraphs dilute readability and often contain excessive wordiness. Only make a paragraph long enough to get your idea down on paper. When revising, consider the content of your paragraph. Edit them to a single idea and keep only the pertinent information. In my example, I have kept the focus on the subject of the fondue pot.

I can't say why, but I had been really attracted to them. Every time I was in the appliance aisle of the store I would think about purchasing one.

But when my birthday came I decided to get myself an electric fondue pot. Shortly after my biethday, we had a meal with meat fondue and several dipping saucnes.

To keep the paragraphs tidy and the subject clear, I created two paragraphs. One paragraph emphasizes my liking for fondue pots and the next paragraph emphasizes my fondue pot purchase.

Use Tone.
Your journaling entry will have a tone to it. It may be serious, light-hearted or humorous. Check your writing for tone and consider its effect on your writing. In my example, I had been serious but wanted to be a little more light-hearted.

Fondue Pots. I can't say why, but I had been really attracted to them. Every time I was in the appliance aisle of the store I would think about purchasing one. It was a frill, not really necessary.

Fondue Pots. When my birthday came I decided to get myself an electric fondue pot. Shortly after my biethday, we had a meal with meat fondue and several dipping saucnes. Ah, now I could finally enjoy that fondue pot.

Check Spelling and Grammar.
Don't depend on a spell checker, which often makes errors. Read your paragraph word for word. Be especially careful of homonyms, which are words that have the same spelling but different meanings. In my example, I still needed to correct the spelling of a few words.

Rewrite.
All good writers rewrite. It is a natural and necessary part of the writing process. Rewriting makes your writing better. To rewrite, put aside your first draft for a while. Walk away from it, and then come back to it with fresh eyes. Read it several times. First, make sure your idea or story is accurate. Make any necessary changes. Next, correct any spelling or grammar errors. Finally, if you are able, let someone else read it. In my example, I read the draft and rewrote it, changing some of the wording to make the writing clearer.

Fondue Pots. I can't say why but I had been dreaming of owning one for a long time. Every time I would be standing in the appliance aisle of the store I would think about purchasing one. It was a frill, not a necessity.

{Fondue Pots }. My 39th birthday came and I decided to get myself an electric fondue pot. Shortly thereafter, we had a meal with meat fondue and several dipping sauces. Ah, now I could finally enjoy the fondue pot of my dreams.

The key tip to good and great writing is the same - rewrite, rewrite and rewrite. The text will improve. You will improve.