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A few Thoughts on Writing International English for the WWW
by Craig Lock "It's easy being a writer... the hardest part is figuring how to make a living, whilst one does so." Here is my "dime's worth" (see learning "American English" , or at least your expressions already) on the subject of writing for an international audience on the world wide web. The Web offers you an opportunity, unique in history, to speak directly to millions of potential customers. Some commentators advise that if you want to be listened to, speak to them "in their language". I only partially agree (but then, I'm always breaking the rules - story of my life!)... When I write articles for "the international market" of the net, I don't target particular countries and try to adapt my writing style. I've found that people around the world don't seem to mind the fact that I may use "funny" words or spelling - small details, like "s's" instead of "z's", color or colour...as long as the grammar is reasonably correct. I just try to write in my "natural style" and try in bring dashes of my "funny/weird humour - one in which I feel comfortable (seeing I was brought up in South Africa with British English) and suggest you writers do the same. Let your unique personality come shining through the phone lines. Incidentally, I put this short note at the end of many of my articles (especially in the past, when my confidence on the web was still growing)... "PS: Dear Americans, please excuse my British English spelling. Very Colonial! I just write and use my own style and spelling, one that I'm accustomed to (sounds funny that ending sentence in a "preppie"). I am quite happy for these articles to be used and distributed by other electronic and other magazines. If they help others out there in any way, then I'm happy." * To sum up... My advice is just find your "natural style" by writing as you speak- as practice writing in your "natural style" breeds confidence. Then submit your articles to ezines and announcement lists, like Article Announce, Free Content, Article Publish, Publisher Network, Read-My-Articles, Free-Reprint Articles, Fre Ezine Content and Netwrite-Publish-Announce. We find this marketing method by far the most effective means of getting traffic to our various sites (and one thing then leads to another)... and best of all it costs nothing, but a little time and effort! Make sure your layout is good (not one of my strong points!), as this greatly enhances your prospects of getting published. Hope this may help you "spaced out readers out* there in cyberspace". Enough "outs" - bad grammar "out-of-it, Craig!) Happy writing and as the famous shoe company's slogan says... Just GO FOR IT Craig Lock http://www.craiglockbooks.com "Let your light shine through your words to impact and help others ...to inspire people throughout our (sometimes happy and sometimes dark and sad, yet always beautiful and magical) world." "Life is about finding, then following the dream... and one's dream/vision comes to reality through believing in yourself, making the commitment and then creating it." - Craig Lock P.S: On re-reading this short piece, found I used a lot of "eyes". Very "ego-centric" (big word). Sorry, but didn't know how to write it any other way based on my experiences! "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson "You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm." - Colette "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to use the Internet, and he won't bother you for weeks." About the author: Craig is a writer, who believes in sharing information, as well as encouraging and helping others to find their talents and gifts, to strive for and accomplish their dreams in life - whatever they may be. The "original" Online Creative Writing Course http://www.craiglock.com/writer/index.html "If you have knowledge, let others light a candle to it." - Margaret Fuller That's a metaphor, btw!
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