I have a dear friend, who lives in Florida, and I know she will be reading this piece, and I dedicate this piece to her.  This dear woman has written over 400 articles, and I have never read any of them.  (blush-blush).  But, you know what?  I have never read anyone's articles; poems or books at Authors Den.  I've still trying to find the answers as to why this it.  My dear friend in Florida signs her name with an 'M' and her first name is MaryGrace, and she knows who she is...I think...the jury is still out on this woman... 

Over the years, I have surfed all over the writing site, and looked at people's writings and dens, but, I have never stayed long.  Why is that?  When I go out and surf over the writing site, I mostly look at appearance of the articles of the den that I visit.  I think appearnace is quite important in writing.  It's like a job resume, in a job search.  It has to be the best you can do...as appearance matters.  The appearance on my articles has to be the top priority...OR the writer will leave and never to reture.Writing is like a small business, who thrives on the return traffic.  If the article is a mess and appearance is lacking...the reader won't return. 

Over the years, I have found that some of these articles are awful...some written with fonts so small that it's impossible to read.  I don't stay long at a site like this.  Being able to read and understand the written word on the page is the most important thing a writer can do.  Appearance matters! 

When I wrote my first article in late 2006, I thought that if I wrote 50 to 75 articles in my lifetime, that would be a good lifetime work.  I wrote 55 articles that first year, about one a week.  Boy, was I surprised at my accomplishments.  The next year, I wrote about the same amount...as I was astonished, as I never knew I could come up with so many ideas for articles, etc.  Needless to say, I was quite pleased with the outcome. 

Take a look at this number.  In 2006, I started posting my articles at the EzineArticles.com article director.  At that time, it claimed to have over 22,000 writers.  In 2013, is claims to have over 400,000 writers...and guess what?  I have never read any article there, either! 

I think I know the reason why I don't go around and read other people's work...but, it's only a guess on my part.  I think it has to do, with keeping my mind clear and uncluttered by other people's work.  Going out and visiting to see appearance is no big deal.  But, words, phrases; beginning and end of articles, titles are a big deal.  Many people are good with words, and have been writing for a long time.  I am not good with words, and my vocabulary is small.  But, I'm not shopping around to add to it any time soon. 

This is the only reason why I don't read other people's work...to keep my mind uncluttered.  Because of this, if I don't read other people's work, I don't see any words I like; phrases I like; beginnings of articles and endings; nothing.  Therefore, I keep my mind uncluttered!  Does that make any sense?  Gee...I hope not...as I've never made any sense over my lifetime. 

After the importance of appearance...comes the title of any writing piece, and I work on the titles of my articles.  I think the title of an article is so important, and I think that I have some pretty good titles, because I work at it.  I recently, developed a Boot Camp for my writings.  But, I didn't have a title for it.  I couldn't come up with a title, so I went through 10 to 12 titles, before I came up with a title I liked.  This project has to do with discipline, and that what the Boot Camp is about. 

So, I wanted the word, 'discipline' in the title, but I was having trouble getting the title.  I was quickly running out of space on the paper.  After trying a dozen time, I finally got the title, which is; 'BOOT CAMP N' Discipline R Us' 
Cute, eh?   I worked this title...over...under...around...and, through, until I came up with something I liked, and I DO like this title.  I wanted to resemble 'Toys R Us," and I think I got it. 

The title of a piece is so important, that is has to attract curiosity; is a short summary of the writing piece itself; and must be kept brief.  With 370+ articles now on hand, I think I have some pretty good titles on hand...but, I work on the titles, etc.  Titles such as the following;

Here's the Skinny On How I Lost 40 Pounds;

Smoking Sucks!  How I Quit Smoking;

U.S. Congress; The Best Little Whorehouse In Washington, D. C.

Dealing With Controlling Pig-Headed People (oink-oink)

The SpaMobile Has Arrived...beep...beep...

My style is simplicity.  And, if I go out and read other people's work, my style could be affected.  I'm not looking to increase my vocabulary, and I'm not looking for words that I don't know the meaning.  Technical, big 40 dollar words are out, as far as I'm concerned.  I just write, and I try to keep things simple, and understandable by the reader.  I could easily get influenced, by going out and reading other people's work.  That's as close, as I can come to an answer, etc. 

The best example I can give, is when a writer goes into the paying market.  The publisher/editor of a publication, will want that article written in a certain way.with a certain approach, etc.  If the writer wants to get paid for the article, he or she will have to change the article, to suit the publisher.  I DON'T want to be influenced or change my writing in any way...I want to keep my style...thank you very much. 

People can easily be influenced by other people's writing...their style, etc.  'I want to write like him or her,' and soon, it won't be long that the writer is suffering from scrambled eggs in the head...known as confusion, and loss of confidence, and their style will be affected,too.

$64,000 question: So, why would I want to learn all these 50 dollar words floating around, to ruin my confidence and style...just to make me look intelligent? 

A. I don't know any $50 dollar words, and I'm not very intelligent...as, I've been a shmuck all my life...and that's the way I want to keep it, etc...etc...etc..

Authors Den Top 100 Popular List; scroll down list;
MAIN MENU; 20 Short-Cut Links For Your Convenience;
Copyright; 2013; Jerry Aragon; The Humor Doctor;