Welcome back this Monday, June 24, 2013. I hope you had a great weekend, and I hope you are refreshed and ready to dazzle the world today.
And that is what this post is all about….dazzling the world.
I write SEO content articles each morning for a handful of customers. I don’t write for one of those content mills, but the result is the same. Plug in keywords and try to make the article sound like a semi-intelligent human being wrote it. I mention that only because in writing those articles for pay I figure I have sacrificed enough quality for the remainder of the day. When I am finished with them it is time to turn on the creative juices and let them flow, and I refuse to insult the great writers of the past by doing less than my best on my own articles.
So the question for you today is this: Do you sacrifice quality at times, or do you give each piece the time and effort that it deserves?
QUOTE OF THE DAY
David Nicholls, One Day, 2010
What an interesting quote. This is one of those that can mean a variety of things to different people, but the first thing I thought of was compromising quality for quantity, or becoming a parody of yourself after a certain amount of time. In other words, we must always seek the best we have at that moment.
I have read some authors whose work declined in quality over the years, and I found that sad. The first one that comes to mind is Robert Parker, the author of the “Spenser” series. When I first started reading him thirty years ago his books were witty and well-crafted. As the years went on, however, it appeared that he was simply going through the motions to meet a contract deadline. James Patterson strikes me the same way today.
I hope that doesn’t happen to me. I hope I don’t become a punch line in an old joke, or a writer who finally just gave up quality in favor of sheer numbers. Know what I mean?
TIP OF THE DAY
Modifiers should only be used when the noun that they describe is not strong enough to stand alone.
In other words, keep your writing simple unless it is absolutely necessary to give strength to it. Read “The Old Man and the Sea” if you want to see brilliance in simplicity.
“Atticus told me to delete the adjectives and I’d have the facts.”
― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
You can use thousands of adjectives, but if the story is weak then no amount of adjectives will save it.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
Love this picture. Hope you do too. Take a moment and let it flow….is there a story in it?
SITE OF THE DAY
From Shaw Guides comes this online site that details many writing workshops across the country. If you have ever given thought to getting away for a few days and being among other writers, then maybe you will find a workshop here that you can attend.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
Sign up for Winning Writers, a monthly online newsletter that will keep you informed of the latest writing contests. I like this site because it is relatively small and it maintains a personal feel about it. Find it here.
MORE TOMORROW
Yes, probably more tomorrow. I don’t like this every-other-day format. I feel better writing this blog every weekday, so back to that I will go. Constantly adjusting according to my inner voice. J
Thanks for stopping by. Again, if you would like to be a guest blogger just let me know in your comment and I’ll get in touch with you.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
I think I just try my best at way I do with my writing, but will be honest, I do have my moments and when I do I step back for a bit if possible. Great advice though and happy Monday!!
Most writers, Janine, get so busy at times that I believe quality is sacrificed, and I think that is natural and alright….as long as it does not become a habit. 🙂
Thank you my dear and have a great week.
One of these days I’ll guest-comment. 🙂 Life…it’s all so funny and mesmerizing how it works. 🙂
yes it is, Cyndi, and it is always fascinating. 🙂
I see so many forms in your sunrise prompt. I love to look at a picture and find faces, etc. Great advice. Have a day full of exciting events….
Ruby, it’s so nice to see you here. Thank you! I love your last line…have a day full of exciting events. Thank you, I will, and you do the same.
I try to use only useful, colorful, and necessary adjectives to create an interesting, captivating piece that intelligent readers will find fascinating.
Your readers must think I have mental problems.
Lizzy, they don’t think it…they know it. LOL You and I, however, know the truth, that you are just damn funny. 🙂
I admit, sometimes I don’t give my 110% to my writing. At times, I do it cause it is Monday 🙂
SEO articles could be boring…I understand 🙂
The picture was so inspiring…loved it.
Happy Monday, bill
Ruchira, you are not the only one who does not give 110%…there are days that 50% is the best I have. 🙂
I think I’d like to try guest blogging for you!
That would be great. Write up what you want to say and send it to me on Word to holland1145@yahoo.com…..and thanks!
So I wasn’t imagining things reading James Patterson’s latest books. I’m also very disappointed. He used to be one of my favourite authors. I can relate to what you’ve written about today. Since making the decision to focus on 2 niche blogs, I can feel the difference in my writing. I don’t post on a blog every day for the sake of having something there. I write with a goal in mind…a message, something interesting, something helpful, something entertaining. And I am loving it!!! It feels like I’m finally finding my writing niche. I think writing content articles are great because it allows us to stretch our brains and be even more thankful and grateful for the creative writing we get to do for ourselves. I wrote magazine articles yesterday morning and was so happy to get to my blogs in the afternoon. I love that quote too. Makes a lot of sense!
Mel, for years I thought I was imagining too, but now I know I’m not. Quality has been set aside by some authors for quantity. As for your niche, hooray for you my friend. I hope you don’t give up before the miracle happens because you are a fine writer with heart and soul. Keep following your plan and good things will eventually happen.
Bill..you’re a machine – you’re aware of this, yes? lol…We need a lot more machines just like YOU! You write and write and write, and then – you’re not happy unless you write some more! I find these posts extremely informative and i’m glad i stopped deleteing them thinking they were spam! LOL..
i had no idea they were from you for a while – i didn’t bother opening them…(and now – ya know!)
I wasn’t a ‘blogger’ until recently, and didn’t quite ‘get it’. still don’t probably, but – at least i learn, if slowly..haha..
I want every single word to be spectacular – is that asking too much?
sigh..
have a great day my friend!
Leslie, it’s not asking too much for you and I, but it might be unrealistic. LOL Seriously, there are quite a few of my articles that I am disappointed with because every word is not spectacular, so I get it. Not sure I want it but I get it. 🙂
Thank you, Leslie. It’s always nice having you visit.