Hello and welcome - my name is John McDevitt. We're all neighbors, so let's share. I'd love to hear from you. Come visit me at The Aware Writer. Just click the link in my Links.

I'm excited about the possibilities. Possibilities is a great word isn't it. Let's all make it happen together....

I spent 30 years as an architect until I "retired" from the profession three years ago. Since then I've been writing on Helium and studying copywriting to keep the creative juices flowing. I have one paid copy assignment under my belt and am always looking for my next client.

I've learned a lot about myself and about writing during the past two years. I think I always wanted to be a writer, but never took the time. That's all changed now. The best way to become a good writer is to write, and write, and write...

I spent 3 years, 7 months, 5 days and a wake-up in the Air Force during the 60's. Went to Penn State to study architecture under the G.I. bill during the 70's.

I grew up in an Irish Catholic family during the 40's, 50's and early 60's. I spent my paper boy earnings in the pinball machines.

That's enough of the "way back machine." If you'd like to contact me please use this email address: johnmcde@operamail.com. Here's hoping the spam bots don't scoop it up.

My passion is ...

Discovery, creativity, photography, writing

I know too much about ...

too little. The beginnings of wisdom?

My childhood ambition ...

I did a lot of daydreaming and I still do. I could say I wanted to become a civil engineer. Glad I didn't.

My favorite memory ...

Have to think about this one for awhile

Why I write ...

because I've been a voracious reader all my life...maybe now it's my turn

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

I love reading Sci-Fi & fantasy, never watch the boob tube, listen to classical music (Mozart is best for writing by), Jazz and the Blues.

My first job ...

Paper boy probably doesn't count. I worked in the regional accounting office of a large corporation doing billing the hard way.

My best moment ...

Happens every night when I first get into bed as I drift off

My inspiration ...

The universe

Arts & Humanities > Writing & Rating at Helium Choosing the right Point of View (POV) for a knowledge article

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Many beginning writers feel comfortable with their personal experiences and use the 'I / me / my' first person writing style. Using the first person point of view in a formal, knowledge article is like wearing sneakers with a tuxedo. Neither is appropriate.

Helium readers want accurate information. They look to Helium writers for knowledgeable articles and insist on credibility. When an author chooses to write in the first person, the reader sees the face of the writer staring back at them, facts pushed into the background, instead of the objective presentation readers and Helium expect.

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Writing:

Rating:

• Marketplace Premier Writer
• 1Citizen Journalism Awards
• 1Writing Contest Winner
• Architect
• 2Marketplace Articles Sold