How to Judge if I'm an Effective Writer?

[AtriumGuy]

Hi Everyone--

First, I want to thank everyone who contributes to the Steve Pavlina forums (and to Steve himself); I have found much use off of this website and have habituated certain practices that have improved my life! So, thanks...

As for my post title, it should be titled more succinctly "How to judge if I'm an effective personal development writer". You see, over the last 10 years I have written a myriad of published articles in the areas of marketing, sales and small business development. In this time I have run a successful marketing consulting business and feel quite comfortable with my written (and spoken) words in these areas.

A few years ago, I took advantage of my passion for health, nutrition and spirituality and became a certified holistic health counselor after attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York. Although I am a certified counselor I have not been actively practicing (at least as much as I would like) as I have been more focused on my consulting career.

I was featured in New York Time's writer Marci Alboher's book One Person Multiple Careers last year as someone who runs two separate and successful businesses, but again, I haven't focused as much time on the health consulting as I would like...

Recently, I launched a blog called We The Change where I write about personal growth issues in conjunction with my business/career concepts. Problem is, I have no real way of judging if I am a decent writer in the area of PD as I have never really submitted anything in the past.

After reading issues in this forum some time, I was wondering if someone knew a way to have my content judged as valuable? Are there online services for this? Any help would be appreciated as I would love to continue blogging and sharing my views for my clients, but want to make sure I am being effective!

Anyway, if you are interested in seeing some of my material, please visit my new blog at: We The Change for some samples.

Again, any help is GREATLY appreciated and I look forward to hearing from you (even if its negative). Thanks...

Todd G.

[hotwired]

Ah, the ultimate question. Well wether you're an effective writer or not is subjective, really. I suppose the question leads to another question. Effective at what? I'll assume you simply mean getting your point across, entertaining and engaging the reader and making them want more. And yes, you're succeeding at this. Style wise, there may have been some minor clumsiness in a few sentences but otherwise I wanted to bookmark it!!

Also you can do what I do and have fun mimicking your favorite author's style for practice. Most advice says "dont' get too fancy" and write "conversationally". My personal "bad style" pet peeves are asking a question then answering with "of course not!!" It's just over done, ya know?? i.e. Would you xxxxx and expect xxxxx ??? Of course not!!

Read some Hemmingway and Steinbeck. Greatest examples of "simple, powerful" writing in teh world maybe.

example editing

The primary objective of THIS site is to provide a CONTINUOUS stream of recommendations that will help people live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives. Areas of focus will be nutrition, exercise, integrative healing, career, spirituality and environmental sustainability.

"We the Change" will differ from many PERSONAL development websites as the topics discussed will explore THE DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONAL WELL-BEING AND GLOBAL CONDITIONS.

[AtriumGuy]

KEN-- thank you for the wonderful advise...its funny, I just finished reading The Sun Also Rises, and absolutely love Hemingway's quick, direct prose.
Thanks again man,
Todd