bcb // style and writing

it's another week down and i feel like i can't even keep up with my own series! whew! do you believe it's actually friday again? on one hand, this week has just flow-own by. on the other i feel like, good grief it's been a long week! in anycase, it doesn't matter... the week is almost over and i need to talk to you about style and writing because next week is gonna be tricky for me [my.worst.topic.networking].

i actually took a class my final semester all about style and writing [8am, best teacher ever, she was hilarious, we did a lot of laughing, but i learned a lot, too! best class of the final semester]. so let's look at some important tips to keep you looking professional, smart, and credible.

be you. when you are writing, write like you are talking to your friends [we're friends, right?]. be genuine. if you write the way you speak, the words will come naturally, the posts will flow, and you won't feel as much pressure if you are trying to keep up some kind of persona. if you are not being yourself or being genuine, you will sound fake and people won't want to read what you have to say. if you're not a professional, you don't have to sound like one. just sound like you. people will love the real you, so don't hide that person.

[on the other hand, if you want to have some secret identity online and you are really good at acting, you can totally make up an online "character" and talk like that person... as long as you follow the next tip very strictly.]

your style should be consistent. have i mentioned this in all other topics?? so important. here's the thing, everyone has a different style. it's ok if you like to use bolds and italics like me. maybe you hate them. maybe you occasionally like to SHOUT at your readers. i mean, it's all about you and who you are and how you write. maybe you like long words, or long, drawn out, descriptive yet appealing sentence. or. short. ones. bottom line is, whatever that little quirk of yours is, use it. and use it well and use it the same every time. i use these thingies [], i read a blog that has a different font when she tries to make a point. it's all up to your style, just be consistent with it.

reread your posts. please oh please, go over them a time or two. make sure they flow, make sure your spelling is mostly correct. sometimes, if you have spent a lot of time on post, it helps to walk away for a few minutes, then come back and read it with fresh eyes. reading out loud is a good way to check your wonderful work. first, you can actually see if you sound like you, and second, you will also read slower, giving your brain a little help in catching those spelling errors. another handy tool is a dedicated reader who texts you your errors [thanks, mama]. could be a friend, or husband/wife, whoever. they are more apt to catching things we miss.

be honest. this goes back to being you. but really, don't be fake, don't lie, don't exaggerate or take credit for something you didn't do. this is the internet. who knows what could happen. so be honest in your words and your dealings. this will get you far! pinky promise.

if you're just a terrible writer but still have the desire to blog, don't be afraid! blogging is good practice to help you develop a skill for writing. don't be afraid to take chances and put yourself out there. there are plenty of bloggers out there [like me] who are willing to help!

don't forget to check out the blog cheats for beginners!

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