These extras can distract from your main message and make your writing come off as less serious.

Keep in mind, the type of writing you do changes what words are appropriate, and what are considered extra.

For example, academic essays will have a more elevated writing style than most social media posts. However, there’s almost always something you can cut.

This article reviews basics of filler words: what they are, why they don’t work, and how to avoid them.

What are filler words?

Filler words are words in speech or written text that could be eliminated and are there to take up space.

In speech this sounds like:

• Um
• Uh
• Er
• Ah
• Like
• OK
• Yeah
• Right
• You know

Writers often use filler words when they are unsure of what they have to say or want to hit a certain word count.

Most of us don’t realize how often we use filler words. I’ve been writing for years and I’m certain there are many in this article! It’s a hard habit to break, especially when you have a lot of writing to do and not a lot of extra time.

Depending on your writing style, some filler words make sense to keep. But more often, you can self-edit to make your writing stronger. At first it may be difficult to identify what is style and what is filler, but if you aim to cut the fluff, you’ll be on the right track.

What’s the difference between filler words in writing and in speech?

For the most part, filler words are the same in both writing and speech. It’s more common to use filler words in creative writing and casual speech.

If you are creating a proposal or a formal presentation, you will want to make sure you focus on cutting unnecessary words so your piece looks and sounds professional.

Why avoid using extra words in your writing?

Filler words are bad because they confuse readers and dilute your writing. If you have too much filler people may think your writing is padded and not enjoy the reading experience.

In particular, if you are doing any kind of persuasive writing, it’s important to avoid fluffy or flowery language because it can bury your message.

There is an argument for using filler words in creative writing or poetry, but for most types of writing, it communicates best when it’s clear, concise, and direct.

Examples of filler words

This is a brief overview of filler word examples. Keep in mind that each example below is not guaranteed to be a filler word—it depends on the sentence itself and what is being said. This is especially true for character dialogue.

One way to test if a word is filler is if you can remove it and the sentence still holds the same meaning.

Filler Words

• Really
• Very
• Highly
• Just
• Like
• As you know
• However
• Finally
• In conclusion
• You know
• You see
• Right
• In my opinion
• I guess
• I mean
• Seriously
• Literally
• Totally
• However
• As mentioned

Filler words take up space and make sentences wordy.

4 ways to improve your writing

Here are four ways to avoid using filler words to improve your writing.

1. Start with a brain dump

Before you worry too much about filler words, start by freewriting until everything in your head is on the page.

Write, then edit. (You can’t edit a blank page!)

Your first draft should be judgement-free so you can let your ideas flow. That way you have something to work with when it is time to edit.

2. Cut every sentence in half

This is a guideline rather than a rule. Sometimes cutting won’t make sense.

Pushing yourself to remove unnecessary words is a good and challenging practice. You might be surprised at how clear your writing becomes when you remove what’s extra.

3. Decide what’s filler and what’s essential

Some words like “in addition” or “however” can be important transition words. Every sentence is unique and sometimes what’s filler in one is essential in the other. If you’re not sure, try reading your sentence aloud with and without the word in question. Your ears will know what’s best!

4. Use an editing tool

Using writing and editing tools such as Hemingway app can help you decide how to cut your writing without losing its essence.

There are a lot of tools available, out there, but that one is a popular one for writers since it edits work based on the short sentence style of Ernest Hemingway.

It’s no secret that the internet has changed how people consume information.

More and more people are turning to online resources to get their news, stories, and information. While more and more newspapers are including a digital element, there are still some that are holding strong to print.

If you include magazines as well, there are quite a few options out there.

You’ll also have to decide what kind of writing you want to do for newspapers. While journalism is the most well-known, there is also editing, digital options, brand journalism, editorials, and so on.

Let’s go through the pros and cons of jumping into this industry.

Is writing for newspapers still a good career path?

No matter what, the written word will always be important. Whether it’s used to tell stories, inform the public, or keep people up-to-date on a certain industry, the written word will never go away.

It may or may not take different forms as time goes on, which is why people might still be wondering if it’s worth pursuing writing for newspapers.

If you’re still wondering whether writing for newspapers is a good career path, let’s take a look at the current landscape along with the pros and cons of choosing such a career.

The current stats

While people can debate whether The New York Times still has the same reputation as it did in the past, there’s no doubt it’s one of the most well-known papers. We’ll use it to analyze some of the current salaries and employment stats.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a journalist there is currently $80,278, which is higher than the national average for a journalist at $52,409.

Keep in mind, they only employ about 1,700 journalists.

Across the United States, there are currently 46,700 news analysts, reporters, and journalists with a predicted 6% increase in growth.

Now, something to keep in mind is that not all people who write for newspapers are necessarily journalists. Some people are experts in their field and have a column, or maybe they just have an interesting story to tell and get to write for a local paper.

Along with writers, there also editors, photographers, videographers, and so on. Including those jobs, there are over 114,000 total employees.

All of this is to say it’s not exactly a career that has disappeared off the map yet.

Pros of writing for newspapers

One of the most obvious pros to writing for newspapers is that you’re able to stay on top of current events and tell important stories.

You’ll be able to find and report on stories that matter to either your local community or to the world at large. This might also put you in touch with fascinating people and can give you insight into the world around you.

You can write general news or you can specifically report on a certain industry or niche.

If you love the prestige of getting your byline in a famous paper, all of the hard work to get there might be worth it for you. For some people, getting to work with the big-named papers is enough of a reason for them to persevere.

Having major bylines can also help you get better writing gigs in the future. For example, major book publishers are more likely to give a book deal to someone with credible bylines versus an unheard of writer.

Cons of writing for newspapers

One problem that the industry as a whole is facing is falling employment. Since 2008, U.S. newsroom employment has fallen 26% according to the Pew Research Center. The good news here is that digital-native news organizations are growing.

Countless journalists have been sharing stories about not being able to make it work on their low incomes. This article, which includes a story from David Rosenfelt who was a journalist for two decades, couldn’t make it work on his $45,000 a year salary.

Even if you choose to go the freelance route, for smaller publications you will often find that articles are paid under $100 each. That’s not even including the amount of time you’ll need to spend sending pitches and getting on the radar of editors to get those pieces in the first place. (To perfect your pitch, use this template.)

On top of all of this, payment terms can be fuzzy at best. Some magazines can take months to not only publish your piece but to pay you as well.

There is no doubt that it is a stressful job. You need to be on top of what’s happening, keep up with sources, and often forget about much work-life balance. It’s not a career that often fits within the 9-to-5 job. You’ll often have to talk to people, hit close deadlines, or write after hours and on weekends.

You might also need to do internships and find ways to work for free to get your foot in the door. That’s not an easy feat for everyone to pull off.

Media as an industry in general is a tumultuous industry. There are constant layoffs and major companies buying out different papers. If you want a stable job where you can depend on your workload for years, this might not be a good choice for you.

How to get into the newspaper writing industry

With all of the above being said, if you’re still interested in getting into the industry, there are a few things you’ll need to know.

Currently, 74% of journalists have a journalism degree. As opposed to being a freelance writer, journalists usually have specific training and degrees in the field. Only 4% have other degrees and still work as a journalist.

If you simply want to write articles for newspapers without necessarily being a journalist, you want to find a unique angle to start to pitch to editors.

For example, you could become a brand journalist (also called corporate journalism or corporate media) where you report on brands and companies.

The most important thing is to start building a body of work to send to editors so they can get an idea of your work, your writing style, and the various topics you cover.

If you’re wondering what opportunities exist for freelance writers in 2024 (hint: there are plenty!) then make sure to register for the free webinar called How to Successfully Break Into Journalism in 2024! You’ll learn about the different types of journalism and what you may best be suited for, and the top skills successful journalists need and what it can lead to.

With so many people accessing information from smartphones, on social media, or the Internet, people have more ways than ever to instantly share their local stories and experience.

Technology has changed the landscape when it comes to journalism and how people stay on top of their local news.

What is citizen journalism?

Citizen journalism is a type of journalism where the general public is involved in telling the news.

Journalists cannot be everywhere at once, so having local people report on stories and breaking news can make a huge difference.

Citizen journalism has always been a channel of journalism, but with smartphones and social media so easily accessible, everyone can now become a reporter.

CNN even had a great article (you can read it here) on why citizen journalism matters and helps the world know what’s going on.

Why citizen journalism matters

Citizen journalism is incredibly important for a society to keep reporting accurate and in real time.

It also helps people in a community feel like they have a voice and can share their concerns. This form of journalism also includes public debates, submitting their expert opinion to local papers, or sharing their thoughts online.

It gives citizens the rights to be involved in how news is created and shared, which gives power back to people to be involved in news.

Many people feel that the big media companies should not have all the say on which stories are told and what information is included, so citizen journalism gives people the power to be deeply involved.

When citizens can be involved in their own news, it also gives them a reason to care more about what is going on around them and in their world.

There are also times where journalists and the media cannot get to a location in time and real-time reporting on the ground must be done. That is when citizen journalism becomes critical.

How to get into citizen journalism

If you are interested in the news and sharing information, you might have considered becoming a journalist at one point or another.

However, the traditional journalism path is not for everyone, which is why some people choose to get into citizen journalism. They want to share news and work in media, but they are not looking to go back to school or do internships to get their foot in the door.

You will still need to study the principles and rules around journalism to make sure you are sharing news that is factual, correct, and within the correct guidelines of news.

For the most part, you are have to accept that you are going to be fact-checking and on the ground to get information.

Decide your core issues

First, you will need to take the time to think about the topics you want to cover.

Do you want to report on your local neighborhood? Get involved in a topic you are passionate about, such as sports or the environment?

For the most part, journalists pick a topic they care about deeply to keep reporting on and can stay involved with.

You might also want to become a news curator, where you share news from a certain topic, go through it all, and share the most important stories in a certain area. This is technically outside traditional “citizen journalism,” but it is something for you to keep in mind when you explore career options in this industry.

Decide how you will get involved

Once you know the topics you want to stay involved with and want to care about, you should outline how you want to get involved and what works for you to be able to do so.

Keep in mind, a lot of citizens are naturally brought into journalism as they can be sources or people who share their expertise and experiences, without becoming completely involved in citizen journalism.

You can be involved in multiple ways, if that fits your schedule and your desire to be involved deeply in issues. Since you are taking matters into your own hands, you can do it in any way that fits.

Get involved

Now that you know what kind of issues you want to stay involved in and know how you want to take action, it is time to put some boots on the ground and get active.

Whether that means actually taking photos and talking to people to gather the news, reaching out and staying in touch with reporters, or being involved in groups and websites online, you will need to play an active role.

It may take a while to get the ball rolling in this new option for you, but once you get started and figure out what works for you, it will become easier.

Whether or not you choose to pursue journalism full time, you will be involved in issues you care about and will know more about what is going on in your community, which is always a good thing.

Examples of citizen journalism

Here are some real-world examples of citizen journalism so you can see how it works.

Keep in mind these are famous moments that changed discourse as we know it. Not all stories will have this level of impact! However, they are prime examples of how citizens can report on the news.

Abraham Zapruder John F. Kennedy assassination footage

This is one of the more famous cases of citizen journalism, since Abraham Zapruder was one of the people to film a home movie that captured the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

While there were a lot of cameras and photographers that day, his was one of the most clear videos of it happening and it was a video that sent shockwaves around the world. He had no idea just filming that day would be such an important matter.

George Holliday footage of the Rodney King beating

George Holliday was a Los Angeles plumber who happened to film the Rodney King beating in 1991. He was a concerned citizen who saw what was happening, filmed it, and sent it to a local news station.

What to do next

Are you looking to become a professional writer? Not sure of the various career paths that are available to you?

If you’re wondering what opportunities exist for freelance writers in 2024 (hint: there are plenty!) then make sure to register for the free webinar called How to Successfully Break Into Journalism in 2024! You’ll learn about the different types of journalism and what you may best be suited for, and the top skills successful journalists need and what it can lead to.

The Hero’s Journey is a great storytelling framework that should be a part of your writing arsenal so you can master the art of writing for an audience. While you will not always use this framework, there are elements of it you can sprinkle into your writing to make it even stronger.

It is one thing just to write for clients and churn out good, high-quality content, but knowing what holds the attention of readers and inspires them to stay hooked on every word will keep your career alive for a long time.

In this article, we will be diving into what The Hero’s Journey is, the basics you need to know, how you can use it in your overall writing, and a brief primer on some other storytelling frameworks you can use if you want to break outside of this method.

The Hero’s Journey

• Why Does Storytelling Matter?
• Why Should Freelance Writers Know How To Tell Stories?
• What Is The Hero’s Journey?
• What Are The Steps In The Hero’s Journey?
• Examples of The Hero’s Journey
• Writing The Anti-Hero’s Journey
• Other Storytelling Frameworks
• Ready To Become A Freelance Writer?

Why Does Storytelling Matter?

Storytelling is an essential part of human communication and connection. No matter how much SEO and other marketing tools out there continue to take presence, the heart of good writing will always revolve around stories we read and share.

Storytelling allows us to convey complex ideas, emotions, and experiences in a relatable and engaging manner, making information more accessible and memorable.

Through stories, we can empathize with characters, share wisdom, pass down traditions, and inspire change, fostering a sense of unity and understanding among individuals and communities.

Depending on the type of writing you do, you can also use it to create fascinating ads, compelling blog posts, and shareable social media posts.

There are few downsides to learning the basics of storytelling so you can bring it into your writing. It is often something you will have to practice on your own so you can improve your skills in this area. It can also help to read fascinating and famous stories that use various methods so you can understand how they work.

Why Should Freelance Writers Know How To Tell Stories?

It is no secret that making it as a freelance writer is not always a walk in the park. When you are a freelance writer, you are battling thousands of other writers out there for a chance to make it.

While there is an abundance of work to be passed around, there is still something to be said for having tools at your disposal to make you a better freelance writers than other writers out there.

One of those tools is being able to tell stories that captivate and holds readers attention. One of the great storytelling frameworks is The Hero’s Journey. While you might not be able to tell the whole journey in everything you write, the summary you mainly need to know is that everyone loves a hero’s victory story.

That could even translate to you telling the story of a local business in your area and the business owner’s challenges as they had to get their business growing.

The Hero’s Journey is simply a framework for you to use to be able to tell a captivating story, and it is one we have used all throughout history to tell important stories over and over.

What Is The Hero’s Journey?

The Hero’s Journey is a narrative framework and storytelling pattern that was popularized by Joseph Campbell, a scholar of mythology and comparative religion, in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces which was originally published in 1949.

Campbell’s work explored common themes and structures in myths, legends, and religious stories from various cultures around the world.

What Are The Steps In The Hero’s Journey?

If you want the detailed version of this journey, you will want to read his book that is mentioned above. It is a much longer approach and analyzation of each of the steps along the path.

Here is the short summary of The Hero’s Journey path:

• The Ordinary World: The hero begins in a familiar and ordinary environment, which may be mundane or even oppressive.
• Call to Adventure: Something disrupts the hero’s ordinary life and presents a challenge or opportunity. This is the initial call to action that sets the hero on a new path.
• Refusal of the Call: The hero may initially resist the call to adventure, often due to fear, doubt, or a sense of inadequacy.
• Meeting the Mentor: The hero encounters a mentor or guide who provides advice, training, or supernatural assistance to help them on their journey.
• Crossing the Threshold: The hero decides to leave the ordinary world and enters a new, unknown, and often dangerous realm.
• Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero faces a series of trials, meets allies and enemies, and undergoes personal growth and transformation.
• Approach to the Inmost Cave: The hero approaches a central challenge, often a symbol of their ultimate goal or the villain they must confront.
• Ordeal: The hero faces a major obstacle or battle, which is a critical and often life-threatening test.
• Reward (Seizing the Sword): After overcoming the ordeal, the hero reaps a reward, which may be a physical object, knowledge, or personal growth.
• The Road Back: The hero begins the journey back to the ordinary world, often facing new challenges or pursuing the final confrontation with the antagonist.
• Resurrection: The hero faces a final, often life-or-death, ordeal that represents the climax of the story. This can involve a confrontation with the main antagonist.
• Return with the Elixir: The hero returns to the ordinary world with the knowledge, experience, or object gained during the journey, which can bring transformation and positive change to their life or community.

Examples of The Hero’s Journey

We will not spend too much time diving into these stories and explaining what they are about, because that could be a whole article in and of itself. However, here are a few stories that embody The Hero’s Journey storytelling formula:

• The Lord Of The Rings
• Harry Potter
• The Lion King
• The Matrix
• The Odyssey

Writing The Anti-Hero’s Journey

An alternative take to The Hero’s Journey is to create the Anti-Hero’s Journey. There is not a particular framework to follow here, but if you have found that The Hero’s Journey is old, tired, and done too many times already you could challenge yourself to create the opposite story.

What about the story of someone who did all the wrong steps along the way? Who didn’t follow the traditional path? What about someone who failed along the way and never recovered?

There are a few different angles you could choose to take if you want to rebel against this type of framework.

Other Storytelling Frameworks

Other storytelling frameworks all writers should know:

• The Story Cycle framework
• The 3-act structure framework
• The Pixar framework
• The StoryBrand framework

Ready To Become A Freelance Writer?

If you are ready to take your writing career seriously and start to grow your business, you do not want to miss out on the Freelance Writers Den!

We will be going over what metaphors are, taking a look at some metaphor examples, and going through some other tricks and tips in order to use them in the right way.

Metaphors can make your writing stronger and give readers something to visualize when they are reading. Imagine when you hear the phrase “couch potato” and while it logically does not make sense, you can also imagine what that is in your head.

Keep in mind, metaphors are not always something you are going to use in your writing. There is a time and a place to use them, but we will be going over when you should avoid using them, too.

Metaphor Examples

• What Is A Metaphor?
• Why Writers Should Learn To Use Metaphors
• When To Use Or Not Use Metaphors
• Metaphor Examples
• What Is An Extended Metaphor
• Need More Writing Help?

What Is A Metaphor?

While you might have a vague idea of what a metaphor is, you might not know exactly how to define what it is. Let’s cover the basics and then dive into more of an explanation.

According to the Dictionary:

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that involves making a direct comparison between two seemingly unrelated things to highlight a similarity between them. Unlike a simile, which uses “like” or “as” to make a comparison explicit, a metaphor uses the imagination to create comparisons.

Metaphors are often used to make descriptions more vivid, engaging, or expressive by drawing on the reader’s understanding of the compared items.

Metaphors are often used in literature, poetry, and everyday language to create imagery, enhance communication, and convey abstract ideas in a more relatable and understandable way.

Why Writers Should Learn To Use Metaphors

Metaphors can help make your writing memorable. It can help you express deeper emotions and spark the readers imagination while they read it.

It can make your writing stand out, be more creative, or be more memorable. As you can imagine, all of those are important reasons to use them in your writing if you want to become a full-time writer.

Even if you do not enter a creative writing field, you should still practice using them every now and then so you can improve your overall writing skills.

However, that does not mean writers should always use metaphors, as there are times and places to do so.

When To Use Or Not Use Metaphors

For the most part, you will want to use metaphors when you are doing any type of creative writing.

You might not want to use them as often in an academic or business context, depending on what you are writing.

If you are unsure, you will want to think about the person or audience you are writing for and decide if it is a good idea to include creative writing in it. You will also want to consider if the audience is native speakers to your language because sometimes metaphors will translate in a weird way that can be off-putting.

Here are some other times you might not want to use metaphors:

• Technical writing – Most technical writing needs to be straightforward and clear-cut, so it is not the time to be creative.
• Legal writing – For the same reasons above, you will want to avoid metaphors and creative language in legal writing.
• Sensitive topics – You never want to come across as trivializing or insensitive in these kinds of situations, so keep the metaphors at bay.
• Overused – You also do not want to overdo it with. metaphors in any creative writing.

Metaphor Examples

Now that we have covered the basics, we will dive into some more specific examples and then give a longer list of other ones you might have heard of.

Example #1: “Time is money.”

In this metaphor, time is compared to money, suggesting that just as money is valuable and should be spent wisely, so should one’s time.

Example #2: “Her smile was a ray of sunshine.”

This metaphor compares the brightness and warmth of a smile to the qualities of sunlight.

Example #3: “The world’s a stage.”

This metaphor implies that life is like a theatrical performance, with people playing different roles and putting on a show for others.

This one also comes from As You Like It by William Shakespeare, a great piece to dive into if you want to learn about extended metaphors, which we will cover below.

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

Shakespeare

Some other metaphor examples that are common in our language:

• Having a heart of gold
• Money is the root of all evil
• She is the bomb
• He’s is a couch potato
• Time is money
• Her voice was music to his ears
• The world is a melting pot of cultures
• Life is a rollercoaster with its ups and downs
• His words were a dagger in my heart
• She’s a shining star in our organization
• Love is a battlefield
• The classroom was a zoo after the teacher left
• The city is a concrete jungle
• My heart is a lonely hunter
• His anger was a volcanic eruption
• The book was a passport to another world
• The detective had a mind as sharp as a razor
• The news hit me like a ton of bricks
• Time is a thief in the night
• The idea planted a seed in her mind
• Her laughter was infectious
• The politician’s promises were empty words
• The car roared to life
• His smile was a beacon of hope
• Life is a highway
• He is an early bird

What Is An Extended Metaphor

While we have now extensively covered what a metaphor is, but you might be wondering what an extended metaphor is or how they work.

An extended metaphor is a metaphor introduced and then further developed throughout all or part of a literary work, especially a poem.

Dictionary.com definition of an extended metaphor

An extended metaphor is a literary device that occurs when a metaphor is prolonged and developed throughout a piece of writing or a speech, often spanning several sentences, paragraphs, or even an entire work.

Unlike a regular metaphor, which is a brief comparison, an extended metaphor is sustained and elaborated upon, allowing the writer to explore and explain a complex idea or theme in depth.

In an extended metaphor, the initial comparison is introduced, and then various facets or aspects of that comparison are explored further, often providing a deeper insight or understanding of the subject matter. This technique is frequently used in poetry, prose, and speeches to create a more profound and lasting impact on the reader or audience.

These are not something you will often start using when you are learning creative writing. It takes time to learn how to draw out the same meaning across a whole piece.

Need More Writing Help?

The book editing checklist and guide below will help you make sure you have not only your metaphors but all of your other editing on point throughout your book.

Pesky typos and other simple errors are enough to turn off potential readers, so having them sprinkled throughout your book can be a huge problem. You will want to make sure you catch all of the errors before your book is published and this guide can help.

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In all of your writing techniques, you might have wondered what is irony?

Irony is a powerful literary device that adds depth and complexity to your writing. It occurs when there’s a gap between expectation and reality, often resulting in a humorous or thought-provoking twist.

In this article, we will summarize what irony is to help you understand the basics, how to use it in your writing, and a primer on the different types out there to pick from.

What Is Irony?

Irony is a literary and rhetorical device that conveys a disconnect or incongruity between what is expected and what actually occurs. It often involves a subtle, often humorous, twist in meaning or situations.

Irony, in its broadest sense, is the juxtaposition of what on the surface appears to be the case and what is actually the case or to be expected; it is an important rhetorical device and literary technique. Irony can be categorized into different types, including verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony.

Wikipedia page on “Irony”

Irony serves various purposes in writing, from humor and satire to commentary on the human experience. It can sometimes be hard to fit into a box and is one of those things you understand when you start to read it.

When used in an advanced way, irony invites readers to think critically about the world and human nature, challenging them to look beyond the surface of words and actions to uncover deeper layers of meaning.

What Are Different Types Of Irony

When it comes to including irony in your writing, there are various forms you can use. You will need to know the differences if you plan to use it in your writing.

1. Verbal Irony: This occurs when a character says one thing but means another. Sarcasm is a common form of verbal irony, where the speaker intentionally says the opposite of what they mean to mock or criticize.
2. Dramatic Irony: This occurs when the audience or reader knows something that the characters in a story do not. This knowledge creates tension and often leads to unexpected outcomes.
3. Situational Irony: In this type, there’s a contrast between what’s expected to happen and what actually happens. It can be both amusing and thought-provoking. For example, a fire station burning down is a situationally ironic event.
4. Cosmic Irony: This is a broader concept where the universe itself seems to conspire against human desires and expectations. It suggests a sense of fate or destiny that’s often cruel or indifferent.

For the most part, you will use situational and verbal irony in your writing, but that gives you an overview of some other options, as well.

How to Use Irony In Your Writing

Remember that while irony can be a powerful tool, its effectiveness depends on context, tone, and the skill of the writer.

While irony can be hard to always define, there are a few tips you can keep in mind for you to use to start using irony in your writing.

1. Consider your audience

Before you try and use irony in your writing, you will want to think about if your audience is the right kind to appreciate irony.

For example, if you are writing for a business context, you will most likely not want to use irony because that is not the format for creative writing. What may be ironic to one group of readers might not be to another.

2. Start doing word play and get creative

Play with words or phrases that have double meanings. This can lead to humorous or thought-provoking results.

It will take a while in order to properly use irony in the right situation. Even advanced writers can have a hard time nailing it every time! To get a better grasp of how to use irony, read works by authors who excel at it.

3. Play with timing

The timing of your ironic statement can enhance its impact. Place it strategically in your writing to maximize its effect.

4. Keep consistent with your tone

Make sure that the ironic statement or situation is consistent with the tone and style of your overall piece. Sudden shifts in tone can be jarring for readers.

5. Edit ruthlessly

Irony can be subtle, so revise and edit your work to ensure that the irony is clear and effective. Ask others for feedback to gauge how well it comes across.

Tips for Using Situational Irony

For the most part, writers are going to mostly use situational and verbal irony in their writing.

If you plan to use situational irony in your writing, here are a few tips for this specific type of irony.

In situational irony, create situations where the outcome is different from what is expected. This can surprise and engage your readers.

Before you can create situational irony, you need to establish clear expectations or a baseline for what your readers anticipate will happen. Describe the situation, characters, or circumstances in a way that leads your audience to expect a particular outcome or resolution.

Build tension or anticipation by subtly foreshadowing events or developments that seem to align with these expectations.

Once you’ve set up the reader’s expectations, subvert them by delivering an outcome that is unexpected and contrary to what was anticipated. The surprise element is key to situational irony.

Make sure the twist is logical within the context of your story. It shouldn’t come completely out of left field but rather reveal a deeper layer of meaning or an ironic contrast with the established expectations of the storyline.

Tips for Using Verbal Irony

If you plan to use verbal irony in your writing, here are a few tips for this specific type of irony.

Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony that involves mocking or ridiculing. While it can be effective, it should be used carefully, as it can come across as mean-spirited or offensive.

Exaggeration and understatement are tools to create verbal irony. By downplaying or overstating a situation, you can convey the opposite of what is stated.

Use situational or character-based context to create a foundation for the irony. For example, if a character is known for their straightforwardness, their use of sarcasm or irony will stand out more.

Verbal irony should be clear to the reader without being overly explicit. The key is to strike a balance so that the audience grasps the irony without having it explained.

Use tone, context cues, or subtle hints to guide your readers toward the intended meaning. Be aware that if the irony is too subtle, it may be missed altogether.

For instance, if you’re writing a story where a character is always pessimistic, you can use verbal irony by having them say something like, “Oh, great, another sunny day,” when the character actually despises sunny weather. The irony lies in the contrast between the words spoken and the character’s true feelings, and the context helps readers understand the intended meaning.

What To Do Next

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Before we get too far in, if you’re looking for a quick review here’s what you need to know: IAPWE is more of a job board than an actual program that hires writers. This distinction is quite unclear on their website, which is the main takeaway from this review. We won’t go so far as to call the organization a scam, but there are a few red flags to pay attention to.

When you Google “International Association of Professional Writers and Editors” or “IAPWE” and look at the “people also ask” area you see questions like,

• Is the IAPWE or International Association of Professional Writers and Editors legit?
• How much does the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors pay?
• Are paid online writing jobs legit?

So as you can see, other people have questions too.

We’ll do our best to narrow in on what IAPWE offers, how they accept writers (and what that means exactly), and talk about a few other people’s experiences with the IAPWE program. But first…

Is IAPWE a Scam?

IAPWE is not BBB accredited and currently has a BBB rating of B.

Reading through the IAPWE review posts shows quite a few unhappy people, mostly when it comes to canceling their memberships. From the reviews, it sounds like when you’re ready to cancel your annual membership you’ll have to jump through a few hoops.

IAPWE might post legitimate opportunities in their job board, but one huge problem is they don’t mention how the job board works on their website. It also doesn’t indicate how long it will take to get approved, that you’re not working directly with the company, or that there’s a monthly fee for this service.

Another confusing aspect of the website is there’s a listed rate, but it’s actually a job board. Does that mean they only post jobs that fit within those rates? Unclear.

Professional writers and editors are generally happy to pay for membership in a freelancing group or mentorship/networking program, as long as the cost is worth it. However, because the fees seem to be hidden, and reviews indicate the actual writing jobs weren’t worth the cost, that’s a red flag.

With this in mind, it might not be fair to say IAPWE is a scam, but there are some deceptive tactics. Whether that’s intentional or just poor website design and copywriting…well, we’ll leave that up to you to decide.

Another note is they don’t post too much on their social media. This on its own doesn’t mean much, but I thought it worth mentioning.

While I wouldn’t go so far as to call IAPWE a scam, since no one said the jobs themselves are actually fake, the true value the organization brings to freelance writers and editors is unclear.

IAPWE Reviews (What Others Have to Say)

I hunted around the Internet to see what people had to say about their firsthand experience with IAPWE. Here are a few less-than-positive ones to check out:

• Read Is IAPWE A Scam? You’ll learn from Adam’s experience (with screenshots!)
• Read this article from Mykki called, FALLING PREY TO A WRITING SCAM: IAPWE
• Writer Beware has also posted an article on IAPWE called, Freelance Mills, Cyberbullying, and Plagiarism, Oh My!

For a positive review, I found this comment in a Reddit thread,

I actually know quite a few people that have secured writing gigs via IAPWE. They’re not a “known scam,” they just need a lot of effort to utilize their resources, which can be tedious. I think many people want a quick, easy, high-paying assignment, with little to no effort. As IAPWE is not a get-rich-quick site, it leads to many negative reviews. The moral is: it’s not for everyone. Just because something doesn’t work for you, does not mean it won’t work for others.

Reddit—PSA: The International Association of Professional Writers and Editors (IAPWE) is apparently not a legit organization.

What is the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors (IAPWE)?

IAPWE says it’s an organization that helps writers and editors succeed. Their website has articles and other resources for professionals to help them break into the industry and start their careers. They’re most popular for their job board, which lists a variety of jobs for both writers and editors.

The questions we’re wondering are: are the jobs good quality and is the organization worth joining?

How Much Does an IAPWE Membership Cost?

Once you’re accepted into IAPWE, it seems as though you then need to upgrade your account to be able to access the job opportunities.

There are conflicting numbers out there, but it seems to currently cost between $6 and $15 per month to access to the job board. This works out to between $72 and $180 per year, and you can write this type of expense off on your taxes in most countries.

How to Work with IAPWE

Most reviewers have mentioned coming across IAPWE hiring posts on Craigslist or job boards separate from the IAPWE job board.

On the IAPWE website, it’s not easy to see how to apply to be a member. I had to search for the page on Google to find the application page!

Below is a screenshot of the application page from 2022, at the time of this articles first writing (it has since been updated).

If you have images turned off, here’s the short version of the screenshot: the IAPWE pay rate is $10 per 100 words and each article is approximately 500 words. For editors, their rate is $3 per 100 words.

However, on this job post board for IAPWE, the rate is different. It lists $20 per 100 words.

It also mentions on that site that 17,357 people have applied to this job. It says the salary is $40,000-$50,000 and that applicants must, “Work well as a team member with the rest of our content management and editorial staff.”

We’ll also point out this information was gathered in 2022 when the article was originally written and it still states this is 2023 when we reviewed the links again.

Here are the topics they currently offer writers and editors:

• Health and Beauty
• Fitness
• Home Décor
• Fashion
• Sports
• Do It Yourself (DIY)
• Finance
• Legal
• Medical
• Family/Parenting
• Relationships
• Real Estate
• Restaurants
• Contracting (Plumbing, Pool Building, Remodeling, etc.)

Depending on your current rates as a freelance writer or editor, this might seem like a decent amount. But it also might not seem like enough. These rates are better than a lot content mills that pay closer to $0.02 per word instead of $0.10 per word.

According to online reviews for IAPWE, once you’re approved and accepted as a member, you have access to the job board. You’re not given a position in the company and jobs aren’t a given.

The organization pulls from 100 different companies—but they claim to only post legitimate freelance jobs. While I did not personally apply for IAPWE, some reviewers said it can take a month or more to hear back from them once you apply.

Why Writers Should Double-Check Any Program Before Joining

So many people dream of being able to write and work from home, and scammers know this. You should keep in mind that any program that says it’s an easy to industry to get into in just a few hours should raise some red flags.

That’s not about this specific program, this should be a rule for any program or organization you want to join going forward.

If you want to become a freelance writer, just know that there are as many legitimate programs and organizations out there as there are scams. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to do your due diligence and make sure it’s legitimate before you sign up. (Just like you’re doing now!)

While no program is guaranteed to work and make you rich, you at least need to make sure it’s legitimate and can get you results if you put the work in.

The Pros and Cons to Wrap Up This IAPWE Review

You’ve made it to the end of the post! Well done! Here’s a quick review of what we talked about.

Pros to Joining IAPWE

• You’ll get access to resources about becoming a professional writer or editor
• You have access to legitimate jobs all in one place

Cons to Joining IAPWE

• You have to pay a monthly fee to access the job board
• It can be difficult to cancel your membership
• It’s unclear if the posted jobs are worth the monthly fee

Here’s an Alternative!

If you’re just getting started as a freelancer, then we recommend the Freelance Writers Den. They have an incredible community and a wealth of helpful resources to help you grow your income as a freelance writer, editor, proofreader, and more. There is also a monthly fee for this membership program, so once again—make sure it’s right for you before joining!

For a full review on the program, check out this article.

Have you ever wondered what is a good typing speed? And are there ways to improve your overall typing skills?

Keep reading to learn what makes a good typing speed, things that influence typing speed, and how you can measure and improve your personal typing speed.

Why Typing Speed Matters

If you can type with speed and accuracy, you will also often be productive. Depending on the type of work you do, having a fast typing speed will benefit your career.

Whether or not you can type fast is not always a reason you will succeed or fail as a freelance writer.

However, it can change how fast you can work and help you get your work done at a steady rate. If you can type faster and write at a quick pace, you can get more words done per hour so you can make more money.

Sure, not every job as a freelance writer is based on how many words you can write per hour or how fast you can type, but being able to be proficient at what you do can save you a ton of time in the long run.

If you are able to write more throughout the day, then you can take on more work at any given moment. Or, you can knock out things like busy work faster than you could otherwise.

Being able to type fast can also help you do other things such as answer emails faster or do school assignments so you can work through your tasks faster in a day.

Typing speed might also be something potential employers consider in order to hire you. It will show them that you can complete your work in a reasonable amount of time.

What Is a Good Typing Speed?

For the most part, you are going to have your words measured by a metric called wpm, which stands for words per minute. You might also see CPM, which stands for characters per minute.

Most people will use a typing speed test to get an idea of how fast they are typing. That way, they can know if they are improving or not because when you can measure your speed, you can track your improvements over time.

If you wanted to know actual numbers, here are some for you to use to measure your skills.

Average typing speed

• 40 wpm and over
• 200 cpm and over

Above average typing speed

• 50 wpm and over
• 250 cpm and over

Productive typing speed

• 60 wpm and over
• 300 cpm and over

High typing speed

• 70 wpm and over
• 350 cpm and over

Competitive speed

• 120 wpm and over
• 600 cpm and over

Keep in mind, there are some factors, such as the age of the person typing, that you might have to research or consider when it comes to measuring a good typing speed.

What Influences Typing Speed?

More than anything, learning how to properly type will help improve your typing speed.

Some people only use their forefingers in order to type and that is not the most efficient way to type, even though a lot of people do it. You will want to practice using all of your fingers to type because it can help increase the amount of keys you can type in short intervals.

There are also a wide variety of keyboard types out there that might be a better fit for you and how you prefer to

Being sure to practice a lot and in an intentional way can also help you improve your typing speed. Challenge yourself to type faster or use different types of tools and tests to measure where you currently are and how to get better.

Tools to Measure Typing Speed and Improve Your Skills

While there are a ton of tools out there (and some free ones) to measure typing speed, we are going to focus on just a few of the popular ones so you can pick one that works best for you.

We will also go over which ones of them offer you the ability to improve your typing speed as well.

1. Typing.com

Typing is a great resource that give you access to free timed tests. You can take various timed test (1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes) or page tests (1 page, 2 pages, 3 pages) to get an overall idea at your typing speed.

It is also a great site if you want to sign up for an account and start to improve your typing skills. Typing has a friendly user interface, making it a option for any age group to use.

2. Ratatype

Ratatype is another option that can help measure your typing speed to get an idea of where you are with your current skill set.

There are some free typing lessons for you to use on their site as well, so you can actively try and improve your typing speed.

They also offer options for teachers, corporate offices, and group settings, depending on what you need. There are also different game modes to make learning typing even more fun.

3. Typing Trainer

Typing Trainer is a free program that gives you different games, races, and challenges in order to help you improve your typing skills. With built-in lessons, you can go at a pace that works best for you.

According to their website, in just four hours you can master the basics of typing so you can improve your typing speed. On top of the four basic hours, there are five hours of extra work for you to master even more things.

4. GoodTyping

GoodTyping offers 27 guided lessons to teach you the basics of typing. It is all web-based, as most of them are, but that keeps you from having to download anything extra or some additional software in order to get your lessons done.

For extra fun, there are other typing courses in different languages. That can help if you need to type in multiple languages and need to improve your skills in that area as well. As you complete the courses, you can also get a typing certificate to certify your skills and speed.

5. Typing Cat

Typing Cat has the goal of improving your typing skills in a matter of 10 minutes a day. This is one that is not free, but it has more advanced features than you see on some of the other typing programs out there.

It offers custom courses once it learns how you type and you also will have access to courses that were created by other users.

What to Do Next

Want to practice your typing? Use these prompts to get started!

You might have heard how important storytelling is when it comes to content and writing in general.

No matter what type of writing you are doing, learning how to use storytelling to your advantage can help your work stand out and draw in readers.

If you don’t know how to use storytelling in writing, thankfully there are some tips you can use to bring your writing to life, even if you are not doing creative writing.

Throughout this article we will break down the fundamentals of storytelling, why all writers should learn the essentials, and then dive into some tactical things you can use in your writing.

What Is Storytelling?

Storytelling is the art of using a story to convey a message and to draw readers in and give them a reason to be emotionally involved in your writing.

Storytelling is the social and cultural activity of sharing stories, sometimes with improvisation, theatrics or embellishment. Every culture has its own stories or narratives, which are shared as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation or instilling moral values.

From Wikipedia

Once you know the core elements of storytelling, you can start to use those tactics in everything you write to make it more engaging and interesting.

Most of us think of fiction writing when it comes to storytelling, but you can use it in almost any kind of writing. Even if you do not write fiction, it can be good to practice storytelling as a way to draw more attention to your writing and level up as a writer in general.

Why Is Storytelling Important?

For the most part, humans remember and become more attached to stories than almost anything else. There is a reason we love reading books, watching movies, and telling stories at social gatherings. It is because we love that stories do to us.

For example, we can hear statistics and data about events in the world, but we connect to it and remember things more when storytelling is involved. It is why you can remember stories you heard and can repeat them better than you can recall facts you learned in school.

When we talk to people in our lives, we share stories and it is how we relate to each other.

If you want to be a writer, no matter what writing niche you pick, knowing how to use storytelling to your advantage can help grow your career in ways you never planned.

Why Storytelling Matters In Blogging

If you want your blog to stand out and start to hook readers, you will need to use elements of storytelling to grab attention.

It is one of the best ways to build a following and create content that people want to share. Not enough blogs utilize storytelling in their posts, so it is a great tool to use to stand out between so many competitors.

Including a story is also a way for your reader to really understand and visualize what you are trying to say and understand your message in a way that they would not otherwise.

Benefits of Using Storytelling

Storytelling is a great way to grab people’s attention and keep it hooked.

There is something uniquely human about the love of stories and our desire to always keep them in our lives, even if it is

You will often find that you can increase engagement as well when you use stories. People love to comment and engage on particular stories.

Think about the creator behind Humans Of New York who simply walked around New York (and eventually then multiple places in the world) where he would ask people to share their stories. It captivated people around the world and garnered a lot of attention.

Storytelling gives people a reason to share content, too, as it is more interesting than a blog that is just about a particular topic.

How to Use Storytelling In Writing

Now that we have covered the basics of why storytelling matters and what it is, now is the time to dive into the tactical things you can use to start bringing more stories into your writing.

Determine your main story

In almost any story, there is a beginning, a middle, and an end. If you want to use storytelling in your writing, you need at least those three main points of your story outlined so you know what to include.

That makes it incredibly simplified, but it is the best place to start if you are new to telling stories.

Give people a reason to care

First, you will need to think about who you are telling the story, the purpose of the story in the first place, and how those two go together.

Sure, you can write a story for the sake of sharing a story, but often you will have a particular reason to share a certain story and a certain person you want to read it.

This is especially true if you are blogging or doing any kind of writing for marketing or branding purposes.

It might seem tedious to spend the amount of time thinking about the reader and what they need out of your writing, but it will be worth it.

Keep some of these storytelling basics in mind

There are some things you will and will not want to include in your writing.

For example, take out cold, boring language. This is particularly common with businesses that use storytelling, where they rely on a ton of jargon and business-speak and avoid getting into the flow of telling a story.

You will also want to highlight sensations and the senses when it comes to writing a story, since that is what makes them so visual. You will want to talk about how things smell, taste, look, feel, sound, and so on. It can draw them in and help them put themselves in a position to feel the story.

Write the story as if you were telling it to someone you were with. That is a great way to write a story in a natural way.

Continue practicing

One of the main things you need to keep in mind if you want to use storytelling in writing is you will need to practice over and over in order to be an effective storyteller.

If you are someone with carpal tunnel, you know how important it is to have a carpal tunnel mouse that can support your wrist so it does not hurt during your writing sessions is important, and there are so many out there to choose from.

You might not know there are different types of accessories you can buy to make sure you are in less pain throughout your day, which is this article explains options out there in detail to help you make an informed decision.

While it might be frustrating to have pain while you write, it doesn’t have to stop you from bringing your ideas to life.

What Kind Of Mouse is Good for Carpal Tunnel?

If you are suffering with carpal tunnel, there are a few things you can do to find a mouse that can help support your writing.

According to OrthoInfo,

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and forearm. The condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand—the median nerve—is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist.

OrthoInfo

Anyone who is diagnosed with carpal tunnel needs to take is seriously because it is something that becomes worse over time if it is not dealt with.

A mouse will not necessarily fix your problem, but it will help manage it.

Can Using a Mouse Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

There is some research to support that modern computers and mouses can be associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Computer mouse use has become an integral part of office work in the past decade. Intensive mouse use has been associated with increased risk of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome. Sustained, elevated fluid pressure in the carpal tunnel may play a role in the pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome.

From: Effects of computer mouse design and task on carpal tunnel pressure by P J Keir, J M Back, and D Rempel

Do Carpal Tunnel Mouses Work?

Carpal tunnel mouses can certainly help prevent more issues throughout time. Carpal tunnel gets worse when you do not make adjustments to how you use your hands and can end up damaging your nerves worse.

So, with that in mind, carpal tunnel mouses can be a way to help on your journey to becoming a professional writer.

Carpal Tunnel Mouse

Let’s take a look at some different options out there so you can find the right fit for you.

Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse

The Logitech MX mouse is rechargeable and wireless so you can keep it where you need it while you work, which can be key to reducing muscle and nerve strain.

This mouse keeps your hand in a neutral handshake position so you do not need to turn it as much as you would with a traditional mouse.

It has a high-precision sensor so you only need to move your hand 4x less times than other mouses out there, which can help reduce strain over hours.

One unique feature about this mouse is that you can use it across three computers using Logitech FLOW. That can help you use only one mouse throughout your day, which can help a lot with certain technical needs.

You will get four months of use from a single charge (and three hours of use if you charge it for one minute), which can help a lot with making sure your mouse is available at all times.

Perixx PERIMICE-713 Wireless Ergonomic Vertical Mouse

The Perixx PERIMICE-713 mouse is a great option for those with carpal tunnel syndrome not only because i its design, but because it also has six buttons on the mouse you can customize for your own needs.

That can help you move your hands less throughout your day and as you use your computer.

It has up to 10 meters of distance so you can sit at a comfortable distance from your monitor for optimal posture.

iClever WM101 Ergonomic Mouse

The iClever WM101 mouse has a comfortable style, which also includes a thumb rest with four different resolutions, depending on how much or how little mobility you have.

The four resolution adjustments include: 1000DPI, 1600DPI, 2000DPI and 2400DPI. If you do not know, those are different mouse sensitivity settings.

It also has two buttons for “backward” and “forward” so you can browse with ease and not need to move your wrist nearly as much to click around.

Using a wireless 2.4GHz connection, you can stay connected up to 49 feet, which helps when it comes to setting up your desk and posture how you prefer.

For those with extra sound sensitivity, the buttons are also built to be more quiet so you do not just hear endless clicking as you browse on your computer. That can also help for people who need to be on the quieter side, such as those with newborns.

DeLUX Wireless Ergonomic Mouse

The DeLUX Wireless ergonomic mouse has a unique design with a removable palm pad as well that is built for extra comfort and support as you work.

It has a frosted texture, which helps improve grip but also keeps dust and sweat off of the mouse, keeping it in better quality for longer.

This mouse has a high of 4000DPI sensitivity, which would allow you to barely move your hand in order to move your mouse around your screen.

The battery inside this mouse can also last for a whole week (assuming you work 8 hours per day) for each charge, making sure you have less charging to worry about each day.

eirix Ergonomic Vertical Wireless Mouse

The eirix ergonomic mouse has fun lighting, which can be an extra perk on top of the extra help and care it gives to dealing with carpal tunnel.

The palm rest has some built-in anti-sweat materials so it stays comfortable and easy to use, even though hours of use. On the bottom it also has a smooth surface to help reduce drag, giving your joints a comfortable experience.

The DPI settings come in four modes: 800, 1200, 1600, and 3200. You can switch between them by simply clicking a button, which makes computer use even easier.

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