Not long ago, I was trying to determine what to do next with my blog. I wanted to improve it. I decided to start with my categories, subcategories and tags lists since they were all over the place. The critical one was the categories list. It grew so fast to say that my blog was growing slowly.  And, while I was having fun, my blog was supposed to serve a purpose. It needed some direction, focus, and I thought a makeover of my lists might add the structure I sought.

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There’s so much to write about! How to choose? Where to begin? Where to continue?

These are questions that I have every now and again, especially after being away from my own writing for a while. Sometimes, even before the research for a topic, you need to read to discover what you want to write about.

When I write posts, my goal is to deliver a relaxed and informative post. So, I write about what is interesting and important to me. When nothing’s popping into my head, I search out my inspiration. To plot my course, I read with writing in mind. Following are some of the things I read to decide my topic.

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Okay, everything is in place. Your computer is on in the right program, your glass of water is cool, and your fingers are all warmed up. What’s the first thing you think of?

If the first thing that crosses your mind, is the endpoint, then you might be missing the good parts of work. The best way to do a job is to focus on the process of doing it. When I sit down with a project, I think about how I’m going to do my best work.

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What magic do good writers possess?

Do you ever wonder how the great ones do it? Even the not-so-great manage to get published. The magic is in the practices they implement. Successful writers have written about their habits, practices, and rituals that get them through the work of writing.

In my reading on the subject, these 4 practices come up again and again. From using them, I know that they work. And they’re transferable, so anyone can make use of them.

You don’t need to have had straight A’s in language, throughout your academic career. Neither is it necessary that you be a particularly gifted writer. It helps to know how to write, though. That’s important and interesting, too, because even gifted writers can fail when they don’t use these 4 practices.

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I enjoy being a copywriter. It’s something I always wanted to do. Basically, I get to translate data into usable content. When I’m not writing, I’m researching, getting ready for the next assignment. And since my topics are varied within the company’s focus, it is a big plus that I’m interested in reading broadly. And because I am curious, researching a topic is an adventure and not a chore. Because the internet is the greatest encyclopedia of all time, bringing the entire connected world to me, I am never at a loss for information and second through fifth opinions if I need that.

Being a good writer is key to staying afloat. Being a better reader is what puts you ahead of the game. I said better reader, not faster. Speed is always good but it’s not the main focus. Never substitute speed for accuracy and comprehension if you want to survive in the writing world.

I have three fundamental guidelines that I try to follow:

1. Be thorough in your research, as time permits
   • If you don’t have time to research many, go to the sources you trust and be clear about what you read
2. When you’re surfing researching, bookmark your top picks—and be picky
   • Just because you know the blogger, doesn’t mean you’ll get the best material. Have a discriminating eye because your steady audience will
3. Never submit your work without reading it through
   • Try, always, to give yourself the time it takes for a complete read-through. It’s worth a small delay to proofread.

These are three guides that serve me well as I work my word magic. I think they will help you too as you develop your portfolio, do your job, or do a friend a favor.

You have things that keep you on track, I’m sure; if you have the time, I invite you to share.