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After completing my 30th article on StreetArticles, I decided to go back to one of my very first articles and revise it. What a humbling experience.
Through the Challenge: 30 Articles in 30 Days, I learned how to properly format an article to make it easier for people to read. In my first article, I had 7 or 8 chunky paragraphs and while the writing was on point with what I wanted to say, it seemed a little forced rather than conversational.
I wanted to break up this article into easier to read paragraphs that were more free flowing and conversational. But how do you do that? How do you overhaul an article without modifying the message? This was my dilemma.
So, I started the process of rewriting my article. I scrapped the entire beginning - what was I thinking starting an article that way? And started in a more conversational manner.
Yet, I hit a roadblock. Some parts of my article I truly loved, yet the style didn't flow with the way I was writing the new article.
What to do. Do I scrap the old and start over? Why was I having such difficulties? In my old job, I was the go-to person for anything that needed proofread or finessed. This was my area of expertise. Revising old articles should be a snap!
But now I've got a new understanding of how to write for my audience and it doesn't flow with the way I wrote before.
I struggled through the rest of the article, adding here subtracting there and all the while hoping that the article flowed well and the quality remained on par with my more recent articles.
It truly is amazing to watch yourself grow as a writer. To be able to observe changes in yourself and humbly accept the good and the bad. What an experience.
I have a few more early articles I wish to review. I imagine that these new articles will truly open my eyes to how much the 30 articles in 30 days challenge has taught me.
If you are contemplating joining the 30 articles in 30 day challenge, but are hesitating, I suggest you do it. Prepare to spend at least 2 hours per day working on the challenge, and in the beginning it will probably be closer to 4. However you will learn so much, not only about writing but also about yourself.
Thank you for reading my article. I'm off to do more revisions. Wish me luck!
I am not surprised you said it takes four hours in the beginning and then you were doing them two hours a day. I have learned to focus on smooth communication rather than perfect grammar. I figure people will read articles that are easy to read. People also seem to like some self disclosure in my articles (sharing my experiences). Did you finish re-writing that article?
Well done AJ. Your articles are amazing and the 30 day challenge is a great achievement. I'm done in 3 days and need to try and work out how many articles I've actually written. I don't have a clue if I'm on track but I sure hope I am.... tick tock! Keep up the great writing and, like Rob says, look forward!
Well congrats on the completion, I have also reread a few of the first lot and decided to hell with it what is there is there and have just continued on my way.
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