Writing is a craft that requires constant work to foster improvement.
5 Pointers on Writing Better
Written by: Christine B.
January 7, 2020
Improving your writing isn’t as difficult as you might think. Want to become a better writer? Here are 5 ways you can start improving your writing skills right now.
Manage your time
There are only 168 hours in a week, and within those hours we’re pulled in a thousand different directions: work, family, friends, chores, etc. Writing doesn’t have to take up a lot of your time. Claire Cook wrote her novel “Must Love Dogs” using the five minutes she had waiting to pick up her kids from school. There are certainly ways you can fit writing into your day. Maybe it’s during your commute. Maybe you wake up 15 minutes earlier. Maybe you watch one less Netflix episode- whatever the case, there is time to write if you’re willing to look for it.
Join a workshop
From networking to learning the nuts and bolts of language, there are a plethora of benefits to enrolling in a writer’s workshop. Even if writing comes naturally to you, there’s always room for improvement, and raw talent is never enough. Writing is a craft that requires constant work to foster improvement. Establishing hard deadlines for assignments also forces you as a writer to fill out those empty pages. It’s also great practice if you plan to sign a contract with a publishing house. Finally, workshop teachers are often experts in their craft. They can offer constructive criticism and helpful advice to correct common mistakes and improve your personal writing style.
Connect with other writers
Writing is generally a solitary practice, but writing in the company of others can be a truly rewarding experience. Meeting people with common interests can inspire your own practice, and they might have new techniques that you can adopt for your own writing. They might even become your mentors, collaborators, or beta readers. Meeting people and networking is always a useful skill to develop. Joining a workshop, online forum, social media group, or finding a group through your local channels are all great places to start when looking for a writing group.
Read
Reading what others write is one of the most common ways to improve as a writer. It’s an excellent strategy to build your writer’s toolbox by exploring different writing styles and developing your vocabulary. Reading is also a great way to familiarize yourself with the structure and rules of language, like grammar and punctuation. Novels, blog posts, or even writing style guides are fantastic resources to improve your skill and find inspiration.
Write
If you want to improve your writing, you have to write. Writing is its own muscle that needs to be exercised, or else you lose it. Keeping a small notebook in your pocket, or using a notepad app on your phone are excellent resources to always be prepared to write down your thoughts. Many writers also find that starting a blog is the best way to guarantee consistent writing. All of these tips will help to improve your writing, but nothing will spur your growth faster than actual practice.
Perhaps, writing with a partner is for you? Check out this next article, 5 Benefits of Writing with a Partner.
