Notice I didn't say do you write well. I asked if you wrote. I don't care if you write in a journal or a blog. I don't care if your spelling or grammar would pass the grade. The important thing is to write.

• I wrote an article (cover story)
• I wrote chapters in other people's books (Ace the Technical Interview)
• I then wrote my own books and had them published by key publishers (AMACOM, Addison-Wesley).
• I then self-published a small booklet.
• I wrote eZines before the term became popular.
• I have a blog (multiple ones).
• I update my online social networks regularly (Linked In, Facebook, IIBA).
• I'm working on another book for Engaging the Business Community.
• I write most of my marketing material (including my website).
• I write speeches for every event I present.

The point is, I write and I write often. I try to write every day for at least 15 minutes. I put my thoughts down, I organize them into a story, and then I put it away for a day or two. After that, I correct what I can.

It might surprise you to know is that I'm lousy at spelling and grammar! No matter who tries to teach me, I still mix up their/there!

• My sister, a retired English teacher, corrects my grammar for these eZines.
• I still call my 90-year old mother to help me with spelling when I misspell so badly I can't find it in the dictionary.
• I have a good friend that is also fantastic at grammar and has a great marketing sense. She reviews my marketing material.
• I have a good neice that is also fantastic at grammar and has a great sense of humor. She reviews stuff for clarity and levity.
• Every publication (magazine and book publisher's) assigns an editor to tweak my writing.
• I send things out to other colleagues and friends to get their first impressions. I include techies and non-techies to make sure that what I write is understandable by both. All of them give me suggestions for changes all the time.
• I also thank Microsoft for their notification of spelling (red underline) and grammar (green underline) checking. Grammar experts will tell you that the automatic version is not the greatest. To me, it's a great first step.

If I do not let the excuse of poor quality writing from keeping me from writing, why should you? It really doesn't take that much time (remember, I write 15 minutes a day). So, why write?

• It builds credibility with others (including the business community).
• People find you on the web (great news when you are looking for work).
• It helps clarify your own thoughts on different subjects (hearing contradictions in ideas can be missed; seeing them, makes them jump off the page).
• It teaches you how to be concise and on point or focused (only some people like deep details).
• It teaches you to set the stage to write for different audiences (business wants business concepts, not technology verbiage).
• It helps you become a better verbal communicator (which gets noticed by those business and management people that can help your career).
• It relieves stress (especially if you want to complain about someone or some project). It helps you pinpoint what is upsetting you to the point where fixes uncover themselves.

How to become a better writer? The same way many musicians get to Carnegie Hall...practice, practice, and more practice.

The 10 easy steps are:

1. Read...a lot. Reading other works helps you find your voice. It teaches you by example.

2. Set a time every day to write for at least 15 minutes. It is a good habit that will form rather quickly (less than a month). It's therapy for your mind and soul. If you miss a day, you will start to feel like you didn't let out your thoughts. Trust me, missing that 15 minutes will drive you nuts!

3. Pick a format for your writing. Will it be a blog, eZine, personal journal, article, or book? Start a story file. You can write a bunch of stories before you need to organize them into a formally published work.

4. Pick a topic and research it. Find facts and figures. That adds to the credibility of your work. Even fiction writers research places, times, and characters.

5. Develop an outline for your thoughts. You do not have to write from chapter one to chapter 20. You can jump around the outline and write what is in your head that day.

6. Formulate a story for your story file.

7. Reread and correct your work a day or two later.

8. Show your work. Do not be afraid of what you write. You are showing your work to potential readers. Their comments will help you write better.

9. Stretch yourself by inquiring magazine publishers (online or print) for the publisher guidelines. That will explain the topics they want, their editorial calendar, the voice, and number of words. The closer you match what they are looking for 3 months from now, the better your chances are to get published.

10. Get help in your weak area. Everyone has at least one. No one is perfect.

I specifically took this time to write this specific article. It is the time of year to give thanks. I try to tell all my helpers all the time that I appreciate their comments and help. My grammar has improved (I hope). I still need all their help, but I hope they have seen improvement. I'm grateful for all their time and effort. I am truly blessed to have them in my life. Over the years, I have received great comments. They have helped me become a better writer by finding a voice that resonates with a wider audience. Through writing, I've encouraged others to write for themselves. Some of them have become published authors.

In honor of these great helpers, I would like to share a little story. Let this story relieve any misgivings, apprehensions, fears, or procrastinations that may be holding you back from writing.

After I published my first book Data Warehousing, Advice For Managers (AMACOM), I gave a copy to my mother. She was proud that her daughter now had a book in the Library of Congress. A book that is now in college libraries that nephews have attended. She was proud.

When I gave her a book, I wrote on the inside cover: "Now you have a daughter published...so their!" When she received the book, she called me up immediately. "Pat, you did that on purpose to make me laugh, right?" "Did what?" "Used the wrong 'there.'" "Of course, Mom." OK, I lied (our little secret...until my sister runs to tell my mother spilling the beans)!

Don't let anything get in your way of writing. You will improve with the help of others. Others want you to succeed. It makes them feel good too (right sis?)

Write your thoughts down every day.

SBDi speaks both Business and IT languages. Bring SBDi in to help communication between both organizations. Let us help you find the right flexible solution that will help business increase revenue.

Pat Ferdinandi, Chief Thought Translator