One common challenge I encounter as an editor is writers attempting to cover too many ideas within a single piece. It's crucial to narrow down the topic and select the specific information, anecdotes, or memories that are most relevant to the story at hand.

You might argue, “But everything is relevant!”

To which the editor might respond, “You've lost your focus. This could easily become two or three separate articles.”

Focusing on one subject at a time is vital. Without this focus, our articles can turn into confusing labyrinths filled with dead ends, causing us to lose our audience's interest.

How do I know? I've experienced the frustration firsthand! After spending hours crafting a piece, I sometimes realize I've strayed off course. It often requires starting over, dissecting the work, and reassembling it. More often than not, I find I've included too many ideas, leading to unnecessary diversions.

Through writing hundreds of articles for myself and clients, I've learned that honing in on a specific subject saves time and results in clearer, more engaging narratives.

While I enjoy writing, I can't ignore the allure of the garden and hiking trails just outside my window.

To address this issue, I've compiled some practical tips.

Consider the writing process as a series of steps aimed at creating articles that engage readers effectively.

First, let's briefly revisit the components of an article or essay.

Don’t worry; this isn't a return to high school. However, essays and articles do require structure. If you plan to write around 1,000 words, which typically takes about five minutes to read, here's a breakdown.

Start with an introduction to your topic.

It should be concise yet compelling enough to capture the reader's interest and explain the purpose of your article. In a 1,000-word piece, this introduction usually comprises about 10–15% or 100–150 words.

This is a good place to introduce your first subheading. The body of your article should provide your arguments and supporting anecdotes, totaling around 700–800 words.

This portion will consist of coherent paragraphs, beginning with a topic sentence followed by reasons, examples, and key details.

Keep in mind that readers are often on screens and appreciate brief paragraphs and ample white space. Long blocks of text can be overwhelming. A mix of sentence lengths, limiting paragraphs to no more than eight lines, and including subheadings can significantly enhance readability.

Concluding your article doesn’t simply mean writing “conclusion.” Use 100–150 words to succinctly summarize your main points and link them back to your introduction. Instead of merely repeating your earlier content, offer a final thought that provides closure and satisfaction for your reader.

“Will this structured approach be dull?” you may wonder.

Not at all; it will help clarify your ideas and guide the reader through your narrative. I recommend these steps for writing an informative article. For personal or memoir-focused essays, a more flexible structure may be appropriate, which I will explore in a future article.

Begin by brainstorming ideas. Maintain a Master List in a notebook or digital file. Note down news articles, memories, or thoughts as they come to you. For instance, I start a new Google doc at the beginning of each month.

Here are a few concepts from my list. Some are suitable for personal essays, while others lend themselves to informational articles:

• I've seen many excellent films about blended families; perhaps a review?
• I reduced salt intake to lower my blood pressure, but now my sodium levels are too low!
• A braided essay for Mother's Day? (This wouldn't be an informational article.)
• How do we cope with memories that linger? (Not informational.)
• How can I determine if I'm happy? Is there a quiz available?
• Why I enjoy learning new languages and using the Duolingo app.

Next, select a topic to delve into more deeply. At this stage, you're still brainstorming.

For example, during a visit to my family in Austin, I learned that my son and his family were all using an app to learn new languages. My grandson attends a school where he spends half the day learning Mandarin and the other half learning Spanish. His teacher recommended practicing with the Duolingo app, and the entire family got involved, inviting me to join their family plan, which has been a delightful experience.

This could make for an interesting article, but first, I need to address a vital question.

“Who is my audience, and what interests them?”

To better understand your potential readers, consider:

• Which articles seem to resonate with them?
• Who do you envision reading similar pieces?
• Are they similar to you or different?
• What topics capture their interest?
• What are their aspirations, fears, and dreams?

Readers are generally more interested in how your story relates to them. Thus, it's essential to write with your audience in mind, drawing from what you know about them.

I picture my readers as busy individuals, whether working or managing families. Others may be retirees with more leisure time. They want to understand how learning a new language can benefit them.

Compile a list of reasons why your audience should care.

In the context of learning a new language, benefits may include:

1. Enhancing cognitive abilities
2. Boosting career opportunities
3. Making travel more enjoyable
4. Providing personal fulfillment and confidence
5. Enabling communication in a new language
6. Enjoying teamwork with friends and family

I aim to inspire readers to consider learning a new language, so the next step is to think about how my experiences can best illustrate these six points.

Develop a list of personal anecdotes that enrich your narrative.

This part often comes easily, and we can become quite passionate about our stories. However, keep in mind that your audience is busy.

1. When I told my brother I was dedicating an hour daily to learning a new language, he raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why are you putting in so much effort on your Spanish?”
2. Volunteering at the school garden brings me joy when I tell a little boy, “Vamos a sembrar papas hoy,” which means “Let’s plant potatoes today.” He smiles and eagerly participates.
3. I can truly feel my brain engaging! That's how I would describe it.
4. I look forward to visiting Mexico, especially during the dreary northwest winters.
5. Revisiting a subject I once learned makes me proud. It's surprising how much I recall from long-ago school lessons.
6. I cherish having another shared interest with my family. My daughter recently joined our team, and my sister is learning Portuguese, which has brought us closer together.

To create an engaging article rather than a tedious one, I’ll select three stories and move on to the next phase.

How is your article shaping up? Do you have enough material?

If you’re writing about a topic you’re passionate about, it’s possible you’ve identified 10 or even 15 points you feel compelled to cover. For instance, if I were discussing gardening, I might get overly enthusiastic and risk boring my audience.

Focus on a few key points and save the rest for another piece. Five or six sections of 100–150 words each should suffice, but this is where many of us struggle. Pick the most significant points that logically support your main topic.

You can certainly write longer articles when necessary, but aim to follow the same foundational steps.

Having written for a considerable time, I’ve learned the hard way. I once combined two related yet distinct stories into one article, and it didn't succeed. It wasn't until after publication that I recognized my mistake. I was so passionate about the subject that I got carried away.

You can check out “Voices of Change — Inviting Men to the Women’s Table.” I attempted to include both a personal essay and an informational piece, but they didn’t mesh well! It can be disheartening to invest effort and not achieve the desired outcome, but such experiences are part of the learning process.

If you’re writing about topics like health, nutrition, medical issues, or finance, ensure you use reputable sources to back your claims. If you hold a professional title, such as a doctor, lawyer, or accountant, you have a degree of credibility, but it’s still prudent to include references.

For personal narratives, you can phrase it as “Based on my experience.” Also, consider adding resources that would assist your readers in implementing your suggestions. For example, I would include a link to the Duolingo app that my family enjoys.

Research can bolster our writing.

Next, I’ll contemplate facts that support the advantages of learning a new language.

Here are some questions readers might have: How does learning a new language benefit cognitive health? How many bilingual individuals are there in the U.S.? Which language should one choose? What are some effective apps to explore? How can I motivate myself or my family to learn a new language?

Other inquiries may arise during the writing process, but it's important to avoid straying from your primary topic. My example is not an article discussing dementia prevention, immigration issues, or educational challenges; my goal is to inspire others to consider learning a new language.

If you find yourself tempted to introduce new topics while writing, pause and add those ideas to your brainstorming list for a future article. Remember that less is often more.

We should strive to stick to our key points and reach a satisfying conclusion, rather than leaving the reader wondering, “What was the author trying to convey?”

Readers are eager to hear your perspective.

Writing is undoubtedly challenging. However, investing time in planning your article and considering your audience can make the process much more fulfilling.

Before you begin writing, ask yourself this question: “In one sentence, what is the essence of my article?”

I would respond, “This article discusses the joys of learning a new language through an online app while engaging with family.”

Next, have you determined how you’ll support that idea with several main points and provide links to relevant facts as needed?

Finally, did you conclude your article by revisiting your initial idea?

If so, you’ve done a commendable job of incorporating the reader into your narrative.

Now, you can write, proofread, edit, format, and choose an appealing image and title for your article. Be sure to check out this useful piece, Self-Editing Tip #10: Handy Self-Editing Checklist and Reference Guide, to prepare your work for publication.

With continued practice, our writing becomes more fluid, freeing up time to enjoy the life we love. For me, that means gardening and hiking.

And your editor will appreciate your efforts, too.

Cindy is a content writer, memoirist, and writing coach who can assist you on your exciting journey to crafting polished, publishable works.