Editor’s Choice — Top 10: How a Complete Idiot Can Write Well

Let’s visit and applaud our top 10 stories today

Well, a complete idiot can write well. (I don’t know if I am bragging about being an idiot or subtly suggesting that I do write well. Lol.)

Laurie E. Rozakis Ph.D. wrote the book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Well, published by Macmillan, for people like me.

She says, “Dear Writer-to-Be, Remember when you first learned how to ride a bicycle? You jumped on your shiny two-wheeler, kicked off from the curb, eagerly started to pedal… and fell right off. What did you do then?”

Laurie E. Rozakis divides this guide into six parts. It explains different types of writing as well as the entire writing process. She says the book will make you a writer:

1. Write Now: This part is about the basics of writing well. You have to learn to write well to earn money. The author explains how writing evolved, starting with the alphabet. She tries to prove that writing is a skill to be learned — it is not an inborn quality. Then she tells about the four types of writing: 1) exposition, 2) narration, 3) argumentation, and 4) description. She then gives a detailed overview of the essential elements of effective writing: 1) logic, 2) organization, 3) unity, 4) coherence, 5) purpose, 6) audience, 7) tone, 8) details, 9) style and 10) word choice. She also details phrases, clauses, sentences, and paragraphs.
2. The Writing Process: The process consists of 1) planning, 2) researching, 3) shaping and drafting, 4) revising and editing, and 5) proofreading. She also tells the reader how to deal with writer’s block. You also learn about organizing the information in your piece. After explaining how to write a great opening, paragraphs, and conclusions, she tells you how to make your writing stand out.
3. Write for Success: This part provides the details of the four types of writing — exposition, narration, persuasion, and description. She tells you how to write for different topics, including natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.
4. Just Shoot Me Now: It deals with research papers and term papers. It explains how to think about subjects and then finding suitable topics for your thesis. It teaches you to write thesis statements and review research methods. Then, Laurie E. Rozakis talks about how to evaluate and track the source materials.
5. More Big Deals: This part is about writing under pressure. When you have to complete assignments that want you to recall, analyze, evaluate, or synthesize. It is crucial if you are trying to succeed in online writing where being prolific is better than perfect writing.
6. Picture Perfect: It talks about the finishing touches on your work, starting with a crash course in grammar and usage. She tells you spelling rules, contractions, possessives, plurals, punctuation, and capitalization.

By reading this book — or any other book about writing — you restate your commitment to your chosen line of work.

If you want to be a writer, you’ll have to learn the art of writing well. You’ll have to have the discipline to make writing a habit — a priority. Only by following some basic rules can you call yourself a writer.

Let’s have a look at our top 10 stories by writers who know how to write well:

10. I Hope The Robots Take Our Jobs

Kyle Chastain. Say “Yes” to life • Husband and dad 2x • I only share advice I’ve lived.

He is an excellent writer. His writing style is simple and direct. Do check his other work.

“Pretty soon they’ll have a machine that can do your job. Then what will you do, what’s the plan?”

I bit my tongue and tried to laugh it off, but the annoying client in front of me decided he wanted to be an interrogator.

“Do you have any other skills?” he asked.

9. Avocado Assassinations: the Growing Criminality around the Fruit’s Production

Blair Mastbaum. Writer/enthusiast/misanthrope currently stationed in Andalusia, focusing on culture, language, travel, food&drink, and change.

He is a fine writer. His writing style is honest, easy to read, and engaging. Do check his other work.

As avocado prices hit a record high price in 2021, avocado sales are trending to be over $20 billion worldwide by 2025. Many of these avocados — and 80% of the U.S. market — are grown in Mexico, accounting for $2.5 billion in trade. Where this much money flows, cartels and criminals are sure to take notice.

8. The Immortal HeLa Cell

Catherine Rasgaitis says, “I write about discoveries and innovations in tech & science.”

In 1951, Henrietta Lacks walked into the Baltimore Johns Hopkins Hospital. She was concerned about abnormal bleeding and a painful nodule she felt near her lady parts.

Mrs. Lacks’ alarming symptoms were just one of her worries. As an African American woman, she was also unwelcome in most healthcare facilities. John Hopkins and its “public colored ward” was the rare exception.

7. The Laziest, Tastiest, “Healthiest” Vegan Party Treat You Can Make

Melissa Balick. Fiction writer, nanny, reader of books, type 1 diabetic, editor of Fascinating Fiction.

She is a fine writer. Her writing style is fun to read and very engaging. Do check her other work.

I’ve been vegan since 2012 and, at this point, I’ve heard all your dumb jokes, rude comments, and misdirected defensiveness about it, so let’s both shut up for a minute and enjoy some hella good Crispy Chocolatey Sunflower Tahini Bars.

6. Are you a Digital Hoarder?

Michael Wilkins. Originally from the West Coast of Canada. Living and teaching in Kobe, Japan since 2000.

He is a good writer. His writing style is informative and engaging. Do check his other work.

You really need that file. You know it’s there. What a mess! Reams and reams of unorganized files. Half of them with generic names. All pushed to one side so you have a little clear space to work. Then the computer starts with the spinning beach ball from hell. Why isn’t the file coming up in search?

5. Sorry, but God Will Never Agree With Your Opinion No Matter What It Is

Ron Whitehead. Follower of Jesus — Husband — Father — Pastor.

He is an excellent writer. His writing style is agreeable and engaging. Don’t miss this beautiful piece and read his other work.

Living through a pandemic has caused many of us to go through a lot of changes in our lives. Sadly, many people needed to change careers. Others learned to start something new in their lives. In addition, there has been the loss of family, friends, and so much more.

4. Important Things To Keep In Mind When Dating An Introvert

Karthik-The Scribbler. Writer, reader, scientist, teacher, into self-improvement, spiritual, over-thinker, and peace lover.

He is a fine writer. His writing style is simple, direct, and engaging. Do check his other work.

So, you’re dating an introvert. Ugh. The person must be quite a mystery, am I right? He or She is also undeniably very attractive, very warm, caring, soft-spoken, and reliable. You may feel you’ve hit the jackpot, and you may be correct. You may also feel very comfortable hanging out with your introvert. You may have a couple of common interests with the person, which is wonderful. So, you’re ready to take the next step. Of moving in together. This is when you will come face to face with real hardcore introversion in a person.

3. 5 Ideas Behind Amazon’s Success that Every Entrepreneur Must Apply | Leader’s Perspective

Anurag Jain. Digital Expert | Leadership Coach | International Business Leader | Million Dollar Startups Creator.

He is a good writer. His writing style is easy to read, informative, and very engaging. Do check his other work.

What is the Secret Sauce that makes Amazon so successful? Well, I am glad you asked. 😊 I have filtered learnings from my experience as an Ex-Amazon leader and am sharing honest reflection of these 5 amazing secrets behind Amazon’s success, which you can take inspiration from in your own businesses.

2. Early Signs & Possible Prevention Measures for Dementia

Dr. Mehmet Yildiz. Technologist, Cognitive Scientist, Transhumanist empowering writers. Founder of ILLUMINATION, curating key messages.

He is an accomplished writer. His writing style is informative, direct, and very engaging. Do check his other work.

The earlier we detect the better it would be to prevent decline. It can affect all of us.

As neurological disorders adversely affect millions of people, I have a strong interest in understanding the early signs and potential root causes, learning about preventative measures, and taking necessary actions.

Dementia reflects symptoms caused by brain disorders such as impaired functioning of intellectual abilities. However, age-related mental decline is different from dementia as a condition. So, dementia might happen at younger ages too. It is not considered a single disease itself.

1. Use this Ram Dass Idea to Help Heal Your Psyche

David Gerken. Meditation and Mindfulness teacher. Dad of three precious kids. A former writer for THE WEST WING.

He is an excellent writer. His writing style is logical, informative, and very engaging. Do check his other work. He has 51000 followers now.

My core issue since childhood has been an unhealthy need to “make it big.” To rise above others in whatever I was pursuing.

I’m the sixth of six kids who had a type A, powerful CEO father who, for his own psychological/developmental reasons, put great emphasis on traditional success. This, unfortunately, rubbed off on me in a significant way.

This post is part of the Top 10 Series — you can meet 700+ top writers with these links:

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Final Thoughts

If your story was selected in the Top 10, please share another story with a brief introduction and a short convincing review — in the comments. (Please write the review in the third person and start it with your name.)

I must have missed something today. I cannot read every story on Illumination and Illumination-Curated. I try — and fail daily — to read all of the great articles.

Please join our private Facebook group for Illumination writers to post your articles daily. Also, I invite you to become a writer for my publication — positive minds.

Iꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴀɴʏ ᴍɪsᴛᴀᴋᴇ, ᴛʏᴘᴏ, ᴏʀ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴇʀʀᴏʀ, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴠᴀᴛᴇ ɴᴏᴛᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ. Tʜᴀɴᴋs.

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