Dec 22 2008
3 Steps to Recycling Your Writing
We are all about “green” these days. You should be recycling your writing as well. You had a great idea for an article subject and sold it outright or it sits on a network site collecting residual income. Either way, there are several ways to use your long hours of research with one or two new articles. If you have several ideas using the same article information when you begin your article, just start a folder in your computer where you put documents that are ideas and research info you’ve jotted down. If you have the time write both or all three articles at the same time. But, if you don’t have time, the information and ideas are safe for a time when you can get back to them.
1. Write a list of ways you could come at the article from a new angle. Let’s say you completed an article titled, “Best Family Destinations in Florida.” You’ve saved all those great websites you found in your “notebook” folder in your computer. Go back and choose just one of the destinations or 5 best destinations and rewrite the article. Don’t reread your previous article as you want your writing to be fresh and new. You might then come up with a new article, “Packing for a Florida Family Vacation.”
2. If you are rewriting your article with the same idea, start by rewriting the first and last paragraph with a different point of view. Any lists you have should be moved around and added to. See if you can make the article more precise by eliminating any unneeded words in your structure.
3. If the first article was written in third person, change the second article to read as more of an essay in first person. Rewrite lists into paragraphs or change the headings on sections.
I’ve been meaning to get serious about this, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Very good ideas. I do sometimes start a folder where I can drop references, never thought about making a list of different ideas and approaches. Thanks.