Write, write, write. LDSFreemen.com needs writers - it needs you!
Write, write, write. That is the message I want to convey to you, dear reader, in this short article. LDSFreemen.com is a valuable resource and if you currently read articles on the site (and if you're reading this one you must) I encourage you to begin to do more than read-write. LDSFreemen.com needs writers; it needs you.
When I first learned of LDSFreemen.com it was described as an LDS version of Lewrockwell.com. I had read LRC almost daily and realized that despite its magnificence, the argument for liberty is so fundamental to Mormonism that there are many other aspects to, and arguments for, liberty that need a separate medium from LRC. LDSFreemen.com is that outlet. But it needs good content with ideas based on principles. You need not subscribe to the beliefs of other authors on the site. You need to merely have a love of liberty and a desire to write about liberty-oriented ideas.
Just reading and thinking about ideas is not the same as writing about them. You may be surprised at how writing changes you, at how you develop. You will become better at expressing yourself. You will begin to critique your own ideas to see if they hold up to scrutiny. If you haven't written on something you are interested in before-and public education rarely gives you that opportunity-you need to write about your interests. Writing encourages learning; reading; pondering; the description and synthesis of other's viewpoints; and critical reasoning, thinking, and analysis skills. It is a very rewarding process. Indeed, the process of writing is perhaps more important than the outcome-the article itself.
Here are some ideas you may be able to use that have helped me with writing articles:
· Write down article ideas as soon as you think of them, no matter how inchoate they may be. You will start to have many ideas come into your mind as you decide to write. Since the ideas may occur at any time, you should have a small notepad and pen (or something) to write them down. (This has happened to me while walking, in the doctor's office, etc.) Despite your memory, you will most likely forget the idea, or at least the excitement you felt, if you do not act on it immediately.
· Keep at least 3-5 articles in progress at all times. You will eventually get to the point where you will have more article ideas than time to write them. Some of your ideas will not work out or you may lose interest in them. You need a batch of articles you can work on and develop over time, especially so you can work on different articles according to your interests at that time.
· Write down headings and make sure your article flows. You may want to just read the first sentence of every paragraph to make sure the article maintains a coherent flow. The final paragraph should be a summary of what you have just written.
· Come up with a creative or witty title. Usually an article with a good title will get people to read your article. Of course, good content is fundamental.
· Make your first sentence interesting and relevant to the main idea of the article. Especially make your first paragraph a good introduction and overview of what you will be writing about in the article. Similar to the title, the first paragraph will help the reader decide whether the article is worth reading. The last sentence of the article is also important as it will be the last impression you may have on the reader.
· Be resilient and recognize ideas are worth discussing and critiquing. When you publish articles you are in many ways exposing your beliefs and ideas for all to criticize. Nevertheless, this is an opportunity to grow and become better at self-expression. Your ideas will become more fully developed and articulate over time. If someone engages you in ad hominem attacks, do not pay attention to them. It is a discussion of the idea that matters.
· If you get bored with one idea or do not feel like writing at that time, don't. Writing is a difficult thing to force. You need to feel inspired. When you are inspired to write you will write clearer and quicker, and with more passion. When you do feel inspired to write, make sure you do, despite the time or place, if possible.
· Finally, have a family member or friend read your article, perhaps someone not familiar or particularly interested in the topic. This helps ensure that your article is at least readable and engaging. Read the article out loud to yourself for the same reason.
I wish you luck. It is a fabulous opportunity and there is a great joy that comes from expressing yourself and having your article published on an excellent website such as LDSFreemen.com.
