Tip VI: Be Your Own Harshest Critic

Good writers are rarely satisfied. They write a word, then tap the delete key and start all over again. Multiple times. They're always trying to find a more compelling lead to draw in the reader, a stronger angle, more colorful quotes to spice up the story, a snappier conclusion leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

To be a good writer, you must constantly review your work. Once you’ve finished writing an article, take a short breather, walk around the house, have a coffee, and then read your story from start to end. When doing so, role-play the reader. Pretend you're reading the story for the first time.

Does the lead make you want to keep reading? Does it take you too long to learn what the story is about and why it's important to you? What questions do you have about the story? Are they answered in the order you would logically ask them? Was the conclusion memorable enough? Be your own harshest critic.

Do this until you are sufficiently satisfied with what you've got (as a good writer, you should NEVER be fully satisfied).