Writing blog posts, newsletters, and articles

Ron Oltmanns of LeadSkill recently asked me how I managed my writing, specifically my newsletter - how I wrote it consistently. Ron writes the ezine Mastery.

Writing is tough! For example, I try to organically write my newsletter every month. When it doesn't happen, at least 40-50% of the time, I actually schedule time to write. Here are some tips that work for me:

If I get a good idea for a topic, I try to start writing immediately if possible.

I don't correct much as I go: syntax, grammar, flow, spelling, logic, etc. When stuff is getting written down I let it get written down. I correct and improve later.

When I suffer from "writers block," I sometimes make myself write ANYTHING. What comes out is usually better than I think. And if it's absolute garbage, I can usually get a laugh by reading it later before throwing it away

I often have multiple pieces I'm writing. Sometimes I won't touch something I've started writing for weeks. Having multiple choices increases the chances I'll finish something sooner rather than later!

I reuse everything as much as reasonable. Parts of training classes get rewritten and updated as articles, newsletters, and blog entries. Sometimes a popular blog post will get expanded into a article or newsletter. For example, I've been writing video scripts for WatchIT the last few weeks and they will be transformed into a series of articles, blog posts, etc. I've also been updating my Information Security for IT Practitioners class and at least a couple of articles, blog posts, and maybe a newletter will emerge as well.

I get good ideas in strange places. Traffic jams seem to be especially productive! I almost always carry paper and a pen so I can jot down ideas or outline an article.

I have no time deadlines, I have quality deadlines. If I don't like it, I don't use it! I've been known to sit on a finished and polished piece of writing for a couple months until I'm happy. Sometimes that requires rewriting from a different angle, sometimes it requires little or nothing.

I'm NOT a great or fast writer! Although I went to a great high school, in college I ended up in a remedial English class. 90% of everyone in class was from an inner city school and/or spoke English as a second language, and most of them wrote better than I do. They probably still do!

Hmmm, this would make a good blog post . . . .