Frequent Blunders in Composition and Strategies for Steering Clear
In the world of writing, Maja S. Todorovic, an educator and writer currently residing in The Hague, Netherlands, is a beacon of inspiration for newbie writers. With a wealth of experience spanning over twenty years, Todorovic has published three books, two dissertations, and over 50 papers, and managed a year and a half of blogging.
Todorovic encourages new writers to find freelance writing job opportunities in areas they are skilled or experienced in. She believes that if one's writing brings valuable contributions, they can get paid for their words and services. However, she also acknowledges that new writers often make behavioral mistakes that can hinder their success.
One such mistake is not embracing one's talent and passion enough in sharing one's writing. Sharing one's work is crucial for the message to be heard and for finding motivation to improve. Another common mistake is not treating oneself as a real writer, which can lead to a lack of discipline and professionalism.
New writers often overuse dependent clauses and complex phrases, creating run-on or unclear sentences. To avoid this, writers should strive for simpler, more direct sentence structures to improve readability and economize words. Grammar and punctuation errors are also frequent among new writers. To avoid these, learning grammar rules carefully and applying them prudently is essential.
Poor social media behavior can also damage a writer's reputation. Emerging writers should maintain professionalism online, avoiding impulsive reactions such as ranting, bullying reviewers, or engaging in public disputes. Lastly, wordiness and redundancy can dilute the message. Careful proofreading focusing on conciseness, cutting redundant phrases, and clarifying sentence structure can improve the quality of writing.
Todorovic also emphasizes the importance of experimenting with different genres to improve writing skills and provide a clearer picture of one's writing direction. She advises starting early and searching for additional paying opportunities like contests and journals. If writing is important to someone, they should switch their mindset to think and treat themselves like a professional.
Moreover, Todorovic offers content creation related to writing as a way to earn money. She shares a poem by Marge Pierce that encapsulates the importance of treating writing as an expression of art. In her teachings, she helps people find their writing voice and experience creativity through their own words.
In conclusion, avoiding overcomplex sentence starts, practicing grammar discipline, maintaining professionalism online, and aiming for concise, clear prose can help newbie writers overcome common behavioral mistakes and develop strong writing skills. Experimenting with different genres can also provide a clearer picture of one's writing direction, leading to success in the competitive world of writing.
Initially, aspiring writers should undertake the first draft of their work with a focus on simplicity and clarity, avoiding overly complex sentences and run-on phrases to improve readability. During the process of education-and-self-development, it is crucial for writers to understand and apply grammar rules prudently and actively strive to improve their skills through practice and experimentation, with an aim towards career-development.
