5 Pieces of Advice: Writing

1.) No matter what it is, it's probably too long.

Look again with a cold, hard eye. Yes, you love your words, but some of them you should probably kill. Be brave ... and ruthless.

2.) Good titles count.

Create a title that would make you click into the story. But remember this: cheese is costly. You can bait the reader a few times and then they'll walk around the trap. Be smart.

3.) Read it aloud before you publish.

This is one of the best paths for detecting rhythm and flow. Skip this step and you might help your schedule and your ego, but you will not help your work or your reader.

4.) Treat your reader with respect.

Assume intelligence and help her rise to the challenge. Never talk down to your reader. She is not a child or a dog, and you should not speak to her as such.

5.) Good writing is timeless.

It does not go bad with age, like milk or fish. Speak to the subjects of today, but choose your words with an eye that sees beyond this date or that clock. You can be both of the moment and far beyond it, too. Strive to be more, always more.