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The 10 Best Writing Tips in the Universe! (#WCOttawa)

 

WCO2014-Speaker-l

 

This weekend, I’ll be sharing “The 10 Best Writing Tips in the Universe!” Uh, huh. Yep, me and my friend Priscilla the Unicorn.

However, I do hope to share at least *some* helpful tips to anyone in my session this Saturday at Ottawa’s WordCamp conference. My session’s topic? “Writing Tips for Non-Writers (No Grammar Police Allowed!)

Why no Grammar Police? Because I hate them. At their worse, they are peddling pedantry. At their best, they are just plain rude and off-topic. And since it’s my session, I said they weren’t allowed. But since I’m not big on rules, you can totally come if you are guilty of excessive grammar geekery as long as you don’t start shouting out “Dangling Modifier!” or “Sentence Fragment! Sentence Fragment!” in the middle of the session.

And what do I mean by Non-Writer? I am thinking of anyone out there who needs to write for their job and/or blog, but have an expertise outside of writing. So, for example, the chemical engineer who has amazing insights to share, but finds it hard to express them in such a way that the average joe (like me!) can understand. Or perhaps a business owner, like an accountant or fitness trainer, that has launched a blog but would like some tips to stash up their sleeves.

I’ve got 45 minutes in total, including questions. So, what should I talk about? Here’s what I am thinking so far:

  • Creating Headlines
  • Finding Your Voice
  • Developing Ideas for Posts
  • Keeping an Editorial Calendar
  • Helpful WordPress Plug-ins
  • Editing and Proofreading Tips

What is missing from my list above (or do I have too much already)? What are the best tips that you have heard or have to share from your writing experiences? Do tell! 

P.S. If you want to know more about WordCamp and maybe even come along for the fun, here is the site for WordCamp Ottawa 2014.

Comments

  1. The grammar police would have a ball looking at all the mistakes on my blog! Sounds like a great session shaping up, I hope you will share it with us afterwards!

  2. Seems like a thorough outline, but it does seem like a lot to cover especially if you have a Q&A period in that 45 minutes too. I’d love to hear your tips after too!

  3. Woo hoo! I get to come hear your presentation! So looking forward to it, Julie :) I’m certain I’ll pick up all kinds of great tips. You’ve pretty much covered things that would be on my list (it’s a good one). See you there!

  4. Great topics about writing! How about “writing what you know”, which was one great tip I heard ages ago.

  5. Sounds awesome. Wish I had known about this earlier, I would have loved to come. Have a great time Julie!

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