Reason & Reader - As Important As Pen & Paper

HACKMAN: Run-on, come quick! I've just returned from the hackmailbox and I've received a letter from Superhero Publishers about that article I sent them eight months ago.

RUN-ON: Holy Hackburgers, Hackman! Let's see what it says.

Dear Hackman,

Thank you for your recent submission. While entertaining, we were left scratching our heads on what you were trying to tell us (and in turn, our readers).

Please consider our publication in the future if you can solve this problem,

Sue Pergurl
Superhero Publishers

Reason & Reader: As Important As Pen & Paper

REASON: What's your point? Figure it out and focus on it. Don't stress if you stray from your original point. Reassess and either edit out what doesn't stay on topic or, if it's an option, simply change your topic.

Tip: You might not have to totally toss out what doesn't fit. Create a sidebar or another article with it. I have an MS Word document full of cut words and phrases that I loved, but didn't quite work for the piece I was working on.

READER: Who's going to read it? Will you be able to use jargon or not? How you write your story/article/novel will differ depending on who's going to read it.

Who's going to read your next story/article/novel:

• Senior citizens, baby boomers, teens or children?
• Couples, parents or singles?
• Computer programmers, astronomers or embroiderers?
• Politicians, Wall Street investors or NY cab drivers?
• Nurses, candy stripers or doctors?
• Pretzel makers, Secret Service agents or one-armed alligator wrestlers?

Tip: Writing what you know can be of great benefit here but that isn't always possible. In that case, talk to the type of people you are trying to reach with your words.

Here's an example: You've got an assignment to write about the new trends in embroidery. However, you have never picked up a needle and thread-not even to sew on a button. What do you do? Call local businesses that deal in embroidery. Make contacts with local sewing/embroidery clubs. Check out the local crafting supply stores and ask questions. Better yet, ask lots of questions.

BOTTOM LINE: Staying focused will help your writing be concise and will go a long way to keep your readers interest. If you find that you have some great information that doesn't fit into your main article, consider writing a sidebar to share that information. Besides getting the information to your reader, it is also a good selling point for your editor. Many times readers will skim the sidebars before deciding to read the actual articles.

© 2008 Holly Bliss. All Rights Reserved. This document may be freely redistributed in its unedited form and on the condition that all copyright references are kept intact along with the hyperlinked URLs.

About the Author: Using her writing as paint on the canvas of her life, Holly Bliss is an eclectic writer, newsletter editor and an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writers.

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