5 Ways Young Writers Can Get Organised
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- Category: Writing In General.
- Written by Atticus Parker
A disorganised writer rarely writes to their potential. Without organisation writers can often get distracted or fail to utilise inspiration when it strikes. So, to write to our potential and to get the most out of out time and effort, our writing conditions and organisation have to be just right.
Now I am not saying that less than perfect working conditions are an excuse not to write. In fact I have seen many articles glorifying the ability to write anytime, anywhere. That ability is great but not optimal. Sure you could write a novel/article/poem this way, and often we have to, but this article is about optimising your scheduled writing time which is when you will get generate your quality writing.
The following tips will help you get the most out of your writing time.
Back Up Your Work - Duplicate your written work. Use a portable disk or hard drive or alternatively online storage to back up your work. This way if your primary working copy is deleted/burnt/thrownout accidentely, you don't have to start over. Piece of mind is essential to writing and backing up your work can provide reassurance. Get a routine set up so that your work is saved and backed up often. If you use paper and pen to write you can still backup your work using a scanner. A simple way to back up your writing is to email each draft to yourself.
What Are You Good At?
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- Category: Writing In General.
- Written by Atticus Parker
Go and get a piece of paper and a pen. I want you to write something down.
Seriously. Thinking the answer to this activity isn't enough. You need to write this down.
Ready?
List three things you are good at. I'm talking good enough to teach someone else. You don't have to perfect at it, just good enough to teach a younger sister, cousin or someone like that. You need to write them down. By writing each thing down you are explicitly expressing confidence in your ability to complete that activity. Thinking it isn't enough. Be honest too.
You can write down anything but here are some examples of you are having trouble.
1. Do a handstand
2. Make a website
3. Play a musical instrument
5. Juggle a soccer ball 20 times in a row
What is the point of this? Well, it is really important if you are a writer to be good at something other than writing.
How? Let me explain.
How To Improve Your English Grade
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- Category: Academic Writing
- Written by Atticus Parker
My name is Atticus Parker and I have been a teacher for over a decade now and an English teacher for about 9 of those years. I know what goes on in the classroom and I have seen what sets good students apart from bad.
This article is going to give you some insider's tips on how to improve your grades in English.
I have good and bad news for you on this subject though.
The good news is that next to nobody should fail a high school English class. The only reason for you to fail is if you only started to learn English as a second language a couple of months ago or if you have been away from class for too long.
The bad news is that getting an A grade may just not be possible for some students. Some students may not have an aptitude for what is taught in an English class.
This sounds harsh but some people get a head start in life in certain areas. I can't do anything mechanical or mathematical to save myself but I can write a killer essay. Each to his or her own.
Just Remember ..
This article is written from my perspective.
A teacher's perspective. Every year I get 150 -200 new students who each want individualised, special attention. This just isn't possible.
Add to this, I have been teaching for a long time and I could quite possibly be a cranky, jaded, cynical and pessimistic teacher.
But, you can still learn from what I have written here even if you don't like my tone or teachers in general.
Please, read on.
So You're In The Writer's Club ...
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- Category: Writing In General.
- Written by Atticus Parker
Kudos to You. I'm guessing think you're pretty good at this writing gig. Perhaps you even place great value in and understand the power of words.
You need to actually write. A lot.
You need to read. A lot.
You need to proof and edit. A lot
In short you need to keep learning about your writing craft. You have to believe that you're not there yet. You have to remind yourself that you are just a big fish in a shallow pond. When you leave your school you will need to match it with every other fish coming from their own small pond. And match it with the fish that have been swimming around the ocean since before your time. The analogy is weak but have i got my point across?
So, are you getting an A for english? If the answer is no, you're not taking your writing seriously.
Are you volunteering to edit the school year book or newsletter? Are you blogging? If the answer is no, rethink your writing priorities.
Are you getting published? Why not?