Let's Celebrate! It's National Day on Writing.

Did you know October 20 is National Day on Writing? Created by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), this special day “celebrates the importance, joy, and evolution of writing.” Look for a flurry of tweets using the hashtag #WhyIWrite.

Whether you’re a writer of books, blogs, or business reports, take time to reflect on the quality of your writing. Is it clearly written? Is it free of spelling errors and other blunders?  Will it achieve your objective? Will it resonate with your audience?

If you’re trying to improve your writing, consider the guidance from these books. They will help to ensure that your “practice makes perfect” rather than “practice makes problematic habits.”

• Strunk & White’s The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White
• Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark
• The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steve Pinker
• Chicago Manual of Style--this reference book has an excellent section, Word Usage, that covers commonly misused words and how to use them correctly. I always learn something knew when perusing this section.

When it comes to writing, follow Nike’s advice and “just do it!” Write. Edit. Repeat. Happy National Day on Writing!