Spitting Into the Wind

Mark Bernstein wrote an article back in August, 2002 called 10 Tips on Writing the Living Web. It's one of the best articles I've read on the subject and as relevant today as it was nearly 4 years ago. These are the key points that I got from reading the story.

• Write for a reason, and know why you write.
• Write passionately about things that matter.
• Explain to us why it matters to you.
• Don’t tell us what happened: tell us why it matters.
• Don’t tell us your opinion: tell us why the question is important.
• Write honestly.
• Don’t hide, and don’t stop short.
• You need not write constantly, and you need not write long, but you must write often.
• Store topics, news items, entire articles for slow times.
• Don’t rush to replace a good design: you will grow bored with it long before your readers do.
• Read your work. Revise it. Omit unnecessary words.
• If you know your facts and have done your homework, you have a right to your opinion. State it clearly. Never waffle, whine, or weasel.
• Don’t be shy about linking to yourself: linking to your own work is a service, not self-promotion.
• Don’t take yourself too seriously.
• Don’t worry about those who disagree with you.

Now when I sit down to add my 2 cents worth to the blogosphere, I look at this list and try to add something of this to my writing. Well worth the read.