Whether you are writing for yourself or others, it really helps if you enjoy what you are writing about. Since I was four I’ve mostly written for myself – diaries, journals, notes etc. In more recent years, my writing focus has changed and although I still keep personal journals, I also love writing for others (on a variety of topics).
Choosing topics to write about
I think that it’s important when writing for others that you choose topics that you are interested in. Your passion will help to make the article or blog shine. I recently had an article published on Technorati (a large blogging platform with over a 1000 writers and millions of readers every month). The topic I wrote about was work-life balance, which is something that I can write a lot about and definitely relate to. As I am passionate about the subject, this didn’t take me long to write (article: Is work-life balance for a working parent a myth).
What do other writers say?
I just googled ‘Writing about subjects..’ and before I could complete the sentence the search brought back 729 million results. The one that caught my eye on the first page was Darren Rowse’s site www.problogger.com, and the bizarre things is – I have recently listening to the excellent audio book: Problogger – Secrets for blogging your way to a six figure income by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett.
The article Darren Rowse has written on Problogger is Make money writing about topics you love. He writes “If someone had told me I’d make a living by surfing the web, writing about my hobbies and meeting great people a few years ago I’d have laughed at them – now I’m laughing for a different reason!” Thank you – that gives me so much confidence that what I am doing every day is going to pay off eventually if I continue to work hard at it.
Do you find it easier to write about topics that you are passionate about?
This blog post forms part of my writing challenge. Don’t forget that you can subscribe to receive my daily blogs by email so that you don’t miss any. Just click ‘sign me up’ on the home page. Alternatively you can follow my blogs on Twitter or my ‘Tips and Luxuries‘ Facebook page. Requests for future blogs (punctuation/grammar/writing tips) are always welcome.
Until tomorrow…
Sandra
Freelance writer
Please visit www.sandramadeira.com for more information on my services as a freelance writer.
My other blogs:
Sandra’s space
My OpenLeaf Journey
My Tips and Luxuries website
(includes the introduction to my upcoming book ‘A Gift for Stressed and Busy Parents’)
Twitter: @madeirasandra @tipsandluxuries @OpenLeafJourney
Reference list:
Darren Rowse’s site www.problogger.com
Related articles
- Three Books Written For Bloggers by Bloggers (blogworld.com)
My Writing Notebook 
Well done, Sandra.
You frequently come up with great links, as well as good ideas.
And here I thought I didn’t have room or time formore blog, email, newsletter reading. But problogger is a definite must.
As Leo advises, write great content that answers your readers questions–the absolute essential to a successful blog, and you’re doing that.
I’m enjoying Ali’s freelance course, by the way, so much rich and valuable content.
Posted by Bill Polm | November 2, 2011, 12:28 amThank you Bill. I have got loads of tips from the Problogger audio book. Yes, I am really enjoying Ali’s course too.
Posted by Sandra Madeira | November 2, 2011, 11:21 pm