Wickapedia's Contribution-1 of the Month:

How To Write a New Article In 20-Minutes

It takes me only 20-minutes to write a 400-500 word article or do a article post. This article (I wrote in 20-minutes) explains some of the tricks I use to accomplish this. I started thinking seriously about this when I started. Posting gave me a deadline (almost every day) and I did not want to spend more than 20 minutes each day on article posts. Many of my entries are actually less than 500 words so take me less time.

1 - I start with a list of ideas and concepts I want to cover in my articles. Usually I write this list in point form. For me, I do this the old fashioned way, with a pen and paper.

2 - I often "incubate" an article for a few days (that does not count in the 20-minutes). What I do is start roughing out some article topic ideas then leave it. Because I have thought about it, ideas tend to come to me that I frequently add to my points. Of course I always carry a notebook for article ideas.

3 - I often need to reduce the number of ideas I cover. Sometimes they do not fit with the angle of the article or do not flow with the other ideas. Sometimes I have to give up a point to write a good article.

4 - Never save a good idea. When I know I have many article deadlines to meet, it's tempting to "save" a few good ideas for later. New ideas will always come so always give your best ideas.

5 - Develop tricks to get past writers block. One way I do this is "warm up" writing. I just sit down and write for 5 minutes. This tends to help subsequent writing to flow. Another way I do this is to go for a walk, cycle or a run (although sometimes I think I might use this to procrastinate a bit too). Another trick I use is to make a game out of the deadline - say I will do it by X. Perhaps I am simple but this motivates me.

6 - Come back to it later. My best articles are written partly, revisited a few times, then finished. I spend the same 20 minutes, though only 5-7 minutes per article writing session. Of course, if the ideas are flowing well, I do keep writing.

7 - I often write 3-4 articles at the same time. Spending 5 minutes on one, 7 on another etc. When I am really in writing flow, this works well.

8 - One trick is using bullet points or numbered points as in this article. People seem to like this technique and it helps articles flow for me.

So if I can write so quickly, why don't I write a few articles each day? Apart from the fact that I have a very full-time job, writing is the easy part; coming up with the article ideas the tough part.

Ideas anyone?

Jim Estill started his business from the trunk of his car and grew into to $375 Million in sales before selling it to SYNNEX. He is now CEO of Synnex Canada a $1 Billion computer wholesaler. He is a regular poster at blogspotdotcom - Mr. Estill & Article Source Ezine Articles

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Wickapedia's Contribution-2 of the Month:

The Simple Truth is Anyone Can Write an Article

It has been said that every person has a book to write. Although I knew I would one day write a book, I don't consider myself a writer. I have written over 200 articles and two books. My approach to writing is simple: decide what message you want to convey, whether fiction or non-fiction, and write with the audience in mind.

Although I am not a writer, I produced a 203-page book based on my knowledge and expertise regarding protecting children from sexual abuse or incest.

When M. Scott Peck wrote his first book, The Road Less Traveled, he began the first chapter with the sentence, "Life is difficult." No truer words could have been spoken. Throughout the book he explained the concept that once we accept that simple truth, everything (everything) becomes easier because we have accepted it. Throughout the book, he explained how that simple truth, if accepted or rejected, is played out in our lives.

Thus, the simple truth to writing is no more complicated than, "You can write an article or book." The fact that you found this article and are reading it says you want to write and want to learn to write -- another thought-provoking statement.

You, too, can use your knowledge and sell it in the form of an article or book. Everyone assumes that they are ordinary, and that they know nothing of value. The truth is, everyone lives a life of unique circumstances and experiences that results in the building of a body of knowledge or expertise -- knowledge or expertise that has value and that can be packaged and sold to others.

YOU are an expert in something, and that knowledge has value to others. People will gladly accept the message you wish to convey rather than experiencing your painful learning curve. You are reading this article aren't you? What prompted you to read it? You wanted to learn something about how to write successfully. OK, someone might be reading this article because they don't have anything better to do. But for the rest of you, you want to avoid going through a painful learning curve. How is that for a thought-provoking statement?

If you believe you can't write an article or book, you've created that belief - for which you have no proof. What proof do you currently have that confirms your belief that you can't write an article or book? If you hold the belief that every best-selling author wrote every article or book in perfect form the first time they started writing, you are setting yourself up to fail. The simple truth is that every author writes and rewrites many times before the article or book rolls off the press. Accepting that "Life is difficult" or, in this case, writing is difficult allows the task to become easier. It is our beliefs that create our reality.

Using the following seven guidelines, I have produced this article that will benefit many would-be writers who have not heretofore had the courage to write.

1. Develop an outline -- include all the points you want your audience to know.

2. Tell the story as if the audience has little or no knowledge --avoid talking down to the audience or above their heads. For example: If you are writing professional material, write at the level your audience would be in terms of education and sophistication. If you are writing to a general audience, use common language to convey the message.

3. Tell the story in a conversational tone. This style draws your audience in and holds their attention.

4. Be descriptive; give details to help the audience develop a clear mental picture of what you want them to understand.

5. Challenge your audience to dig deeper into themselves to understand your message. Use thought-provoking statements and questions. How many thought provoking statements and questions can you find in this article?

6. Research your topic thoroughly from every angle, thus giving your audience a broad spectrum of depth and breadth.

7. Last, but not least, have a good editor. Editing is the final touch that can make or break your material. Writers write and editors edit. While editors may write, it is fool hardy for writers to double as their own editor. Remember the simple truth that surgeons don't operate on themselves. Choose an editor who is interested in or has knowledge of your topic.

The main message I want to convey to my audience is: although you (an ordinary person or skilled professional) are not a writer, you can write an article or book.

The simple truth: writing is as easy as explaining something to a friend who is interested in your topic.

Are you with me so far? Have I convinced you? If I have not yet convinced you, continue reading. If you are already convinced, I will see your work in print soon. Let me know the name of your article or book; I would like to read it.

There are thousands of people who would benefit from your knowledge or insight on a specific topic, without going through what you went through to learn it. Have you seen the plethora of infomercials on television? "How to buy real estate with no money down." How long did it take that person to perfect the system they are selling -- weeks, months or years? If you buy their course, you will have the same knowledge they do within hours or days. Many people are willing to spend the money to avoid a long learning curve. There are thousands of people who have the same interests you do in fiction or non-fiction genres. How many non-fiction and fiction books have you read and thought, "Why didn't I write that [book/story]?" When I read M. Scott Peck's book, People of the Lie, I thought to myself, "Darn, I could have written that book."

In fairness to those of you who are not yet convinced, but want desperately to write an article or book, I will confess. When the public relations manager for my publisher informed me that one of the things I needed to do to promote my new book was to write an article on writing, I went into total panic. "I am not a writer, I whined."I am a healer, who happens to be able to string a few words together. I write as I would talk to my clients or in a conversation." Nonetheless, I promised her I would be a "good girl" and do my best. In the meantime, I was frantically busy with my practice and getting ready to go on an 11-day vacation. So, here I am sitting on the plane with my laptop, 36,000 feet in the air, writing the article I said I was not capable of writing. Up to this point, I have not researched the fundamentals of writing. Wow! I am really putting myself out on a limb.

Researching a topic is important. My style is to write what I know and then find research to collaborate my statements. I take this approach because I know it is not possible to have a perception or creation that does not exist. Therefore, I know I will find articles or books to support my perceptions or creation. This is my style; however, you may prefer to research your own topics and then begin to write. The Internet is a great resource; however, for some topics you might need to use the public or school library.

The final thought I want to leave with you is this familiar axiom: "If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you are right."

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, "If I'd Only Known...Sexual Abuse in or Out of the Family: A Guide to Prevention, specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening: Dorothy M Neddermeyer - Article Source: Ezine Articles