Great post and hints to writing, Heidi!

"prevent it from trailing off topic which can be confusing for readers and make them feel like they're wasting their time by reading it."

this is something I find myself doing often and when I re-read my text I barely make it through a second time cause it gets so dull.

But like you said, being your own critic and change whatever parts you aren't happy with to something that sounds and flows better when you re-read them, is a great way to improve. I know that for people who english is their second or third language they have learned, the handicap is much higher and they need to spend a lot more time on the posts. But remember that exercise improves your writing ability over time - and so will your Steem Power increase with it too!

I just wrote a short explanation on what Verifying yourself means and doesn't on here, I remember you were asked to verify you were "real" too, so I thought I'd make it a bit clearer for the newcomers.
Hope you don't mind I post it here; https://steemit.com/newcomers/@acidyo/what-verifying-your-account-in-introduceyourself-means-and-what-it-doesn-t-necessarily-have-to-mean