| Anytime you decide to write anything, whether | | | | and every writer edits and rewrites. |
| it's an article or a manuscript, you should | | | | When we write non-fiction, we sometimes forget |
| congratulate yourself. Some people find writing | | | | that readers don't know what we know and we |
| easy, while others feel less sure about the | | | | leave things out or don't put things in the best |
| process or their skills. Either type of writer is | | | | order. In fiction, we may get so caught up with |
| courageous. You know that when you write, | | | | the story we miss inconsistencies or leave |
| especially if you intend to share it in any way, you | | | | questions unanswered. We hopefully concern |
| open yourself to comments from readers. | | | | ourselves with punctuation, grammar, and the |
| One of the best things you can do for your | | | | technical aspects of writing, but miss something |
| writing is to have someone read and critique it. | | | | or several things that could make our writing go |
| You may feel hopeful the person will like the | | | | beyond good and become excellent or, at the |
| story, perhaps even anxious that she or he may | | | | very least, accurate. One definite benefit is that |
| not; but your primary goal is to get feedback that | | | | you learn and hone your skills as a result of |
| will help you create a quality result. | | | | getting such feedback. |
| You want someone who will take this effort | | | | The thing you want to do is rely on someone |
| seriously, and need to expect that what you get | | | | who not only has the skills to do this but is |
| back may have a lot of notations and questions. | | | | objective enough to do it so that you get what |
| At first, you may not be thrilled about this. As | | | | you need. Writers sometimes ask the wrong |
| you read through the notes, you should see | | | | people to do this for them and it often results in |
| tighter ways to write sentences, inconsistencies | | | | frustration. Many projects get shelved because of |
| brought to your attention, and some things you | | | | this. Do everything you can to nurture your |
| didn't give thought to as you were writing. No | | | | creativity and move your project forward until |
| writer thinks of everything during the first draft, | | | | you get your desired outcome. |