As a writer, I thoroughly enjoy reading other people’s thoughts, strategies, tips, and tricks on the writing process. I love learning from and identifying with other writers. Throughout this past year, I’ve discovered many great articles about writing – and now I’d like to pass a few favorites on to you. Save them now; read them later. (Pocket is a great way to keep track of your reading list.)

1)  Fantastic Copywriting Examples: 13 Companies With Truly Creative Copywriters

Seeing copy done right inspires me, excites me, and sparks new ideas in my mind. These examples, ranging from emails to digital ads to product descriptions, are definitely done right. You’ll find a healthy dose of humor and some pretty darn creative ideas in this list. Just to give you a taste, here’s one of the examples Hubspot used in the article:

2)  Want to Be an Amazing Writer? Read Like One

This one caught my eye, because I love reading. Since I’m trying to build my personal library, I tend to jump on any article from a reputable author that promises a credible list of books worth reading. This article does that and more. It will challenge you to broaden your reading horizons and show you all kinds of writing inspiration in the unlikeliest of books.

3)  How to Write Compelling Copy: 7 Tips for Writing Content That Converts

This is one well-researched, no-fluff article. It’s realistic, it’s valuable, and it’s a great example of copy done right. A few of the 7 tips include:

• Using the psychology of exclusivity
• Drawing analogies
• Staying away from weasel words

4)  The Secret to Great Writing: Insecurity

Short and sweet, this one speaks to the heart. Because of its premise, it’s probably a hit-or-miss piece with most writers, but if you’re a perfectionist like me, it’ll be a sure “hit.”My favorite line:

“I don’t execute those insecurities. I never will. Because I need them. To heckle me. Mock me. Prod me on to ever greater work.”

5)  10 Simple Edits That’ll Instantly Improve Any Piece of Writing

I would recommend this article to anyone who has to write anything – no matter what kind of writing it is. Whether you’re a college student writing that dreaded research paper, an aspiring novelist, or a CEO writing the forward to your company’s new e-book, this article is a must-read. (If people would use tip #7 more, their writing would be far easier to digest.)

6)  Nine Copywriter Woes: Mistakes to Avoid With Your Copywriter

This piece made me laugh, shout “yes!”, and mentally point fingers at past clients all at once. If you’re a copywriter, you’ll get a kick out of this one…and then want to share it with your firm or on social media. And why shouldn’t you? These are 9 true-to-life frustrations many copywriters have with clients and sometimes even coworkers or bosses. And the problem won’t go away until it’s addressed. A perk of sharing this post with your company is that the next time a client pulls one of these stunts, your boss and coworkers will recognize it and can back you up.

7)  How to Train Your Brain to Write More Concisely: 6 Creative Exercises to Try

Brevity is the soul of much more than wit. Unfortunately, the skill of pithy writing rarely comes naturally, but it’s a valuable one worth learning. In today’s busy world filled with distractions and countless already-written works, yours needs to be uncluttered and easy to read. I highly recommend using a few of these exercises as stepping stones to succinct writing.

So now you know several of my favorite articles on writing from this past year. What are some of yours?