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I've just taken over the writing topic here at BellaOnline.com. I've been around since BellaOnline's beginnings, but I've never had this topic.

Just a little about me: I'm the author of a traditionally published book on the shelves and one on the way. The first is about homeschooling for people who think they're aren't qualified to do so. The second is for parents who plan to send their children to public school, but can't afford or don't want preschool. It explains how to do it at home so your child will be ready for school when the time comes.

What this forum is:

It's a place to ask questions about writing as a career or hobby.
It's a place to give thoughtful, polite advice.
It's a place to brag about your newest published work or acceptance letter.
It's a place to offer your thoughts about writing.
It's a place to debate issues related to writing.

What this forum is not:

A place to post ads or spam--even disguised as a question. It will be promptly deleted. If you want to advertise your product, put one discreet link in your sig and post real comments (not the thinly disguised "Good point." posts) and be a real participant in the forum before then. People only click when they feel like they know you and like you, so become a member of the community first.

A place to post your writing to get feedback. Remember, posting it on the net might make a publisher decide it's "published."

A place to attack, harass, or bully. Good manners are critical. Failure to be polite will get you deleted, banned, or sent to our etiquette forum for help.

Okay, let's get the conversation going.

Hello Terrie,

I'm afraid I am not too familiar with forums, so if I'm not submitting this inquiry in the right subject area, please let me know.

A friend of mine -- 85-years-old, former high school literature teacher, former writer for a local radio station -- has written many, many stories about students/experiences while she was a teacher. Her writing is UNBELIEVABLE. She snags you within the first sentence. I would love to see her get her writings published in a book -- as they will inspire all who read these stories. Do you help people publish? At 85, she doesn't have a computer, nor is she computer savvy. I don't know how to advise her. Can you help?

As a side note, I homeschooled my two sons from birth to college entrance.

Thanks so much for any advice you can give me.

Why not try writing online to begin with? It is rewarding to see work in print for a start, and is instant in the sense that you can get started right away. However, it's worth bearing in mind that internet writing requires a totally different set of writing skills than essays, book reports or even creative writing. Many traditional writing styles have to be 'unlearned.'

However there are very many great sites to learn and get feedback on. In addition your friend will develop an online portfolio she can offer to publishers. Freelance article writing is a great way to start - especially if she aims for sites that focus on education.

I am curious about how and why traditional writing styles would need to be unlearned in internet writing. Can anyone clarify this for me? Thanks.

You are writing with a different motive - to sell ! And to draw maximum traffic with least words! Articles optimised for this should be no more than 400 words - readers find it tiring to scroll. Writing style must be brief and concise not descriptive, evocative or wordy ...... and so on....and on .....