I Hate Writing!
If that's so, it's because you feel you do not do it well. We seldom hate doings things we are good at.
But let's assume it's true. You hate writing. Does this mean you can't have a successful site and business on the Web? Does it mean you can't produce a top quality newsletter? Maybe can't even deal with email effectively?
You can if you commit the time and effort required to learn how to write well. It's no tougher than mastering any other skill. Be clear about your goal. You are not seeking the Pulitzer Prize. You simply want to write well enough to share your thoughts and ideas with others. All that's required to achieve this skills level is the determination to do so and the persistence to hang in until you achieve the goal.
Here are some things to consider. Not all work for everybody but all do for some.
Talk To A Customer Or Friend
Picture a person standing in front of you. Then write down the words you would speak to explain your thought or idea. Don't be fussy. Don't worry about grammar. Just get it written down.
Now Edit
Read it with care. Look for thoughts that did not come through clearly. Ponder until you find a better way to say it.
Always look for and delete unnecessary words and sentences. Sometime a whole idea must go because it just does not fit in.
Lay it aside for a time. Come back to it later. See if something new strikes you. If so, make the change.
Read It Out Loud
This is an absolute must. When you read aloud, it changes the pace. It brings words into your mind through your ears instead of only from your eyes. Listen for phrases that just don't sound right. Go to work immediately at any point you stumble.
Record It
Read it into a tape recorder. Play it back without looking at what you wrote, so that you only hear the words.
The Litmus Test
Ask a friend to read it to you. Where he or she stumbles or becomes confused, there's a problem. Fix it.
Where Do I Find All This Time?
There is a subtle point in the above that may have gone unnoticed. With this kind of approach, you will be more focused on what you are doing even as you begin. And with greater focus, your work will be better from the start.
But you're right. There are not enough hours in the day to do all of the above with everything you write. But even with email, you have time to reread what you wrote before sending it. It will help.
With major work such as an article or web page you want to publish, follow the above as possible. Again, there may not be sufficient time to go all the way through the list, but always go as far as you can. In time, you'll find it easier to do.
What Else Can I Do?
For one, pretty much forget most of what you were taught in school. Look for better guidelines, practical things that work. For example, use simple words and short sentences. Sometimes break long sentences into parts as I just did. Avoid cute and clever. And avoid formal. Write as simply and directly as you can.
Try to write everything in the briefest possible form. A web page is not better because it is longer. Neither is an article or newsletter. And brevity is king when it comes to email. Eliminate as many words as possible. Period.
Where Can I Get Some Help
Since writing web pages is essentially writing advertising copy, a look at copywriting accomplishes two purposes. To this end, check out the terrific copywriting tutorial at Joe Robson's site, AdCopyWriting.Com And check out Joe's book, "Make Your Words Sell." It is simply unbeatable. Click here for my review of this remarkable work. And the neat part is that most of what applies to copywriting, applies equally well to all your writing needs.
Take A Course
I took a quick look, KnowledgeHound.Com, but did not find a lot of use to beginners. Even though the slant is toward serious writing, you may find just what you need here.
Jennifer Stewart has an excellent online tutorial at Write101.Com.
The Little Book
One of my most precious books is, "The Elements Of Style." by William Strunk, Jr. It's been published many times, first in 1935. My copy was published by Macmillan in 1959. Two things are quite remarkable about this book. 1) It's only 71 pages long; you can read it in an hour. 2) There is *no* hype; it is all down to earth and practical.
Although it's been reprinted since, it's likely out of print just now. But if you can find a copy, you will have found gold. Thumb the book open to any page as you begin to write, and try to follow the author's advice. Your writing will improve quickly. I'm sure there are many other books that will work for you, but none will beat this one.
Update: The last time I checked, "The Elements Of Style" was available in paperback from Amazon.Com
It's All A Matter Of Priorities
When I was in my teens, I had a keen interest in young women. Many of these delightful creatures loved to dance. I hated it. I was all fumbley-footed. I had a tendency to stumble, and even to fall. But I learned enough to get onto the dance floor with my arm around a young woman. I still hate dancing. Detest it, in fact. But I enjoyed the company then, and still do.
Given appropriate motivation, one can learn to dance. Or to write.