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Writing seems like such an easy task. After all, it's just stringing words together until they make sense, right?
Wrong.
While it's true that anyone can write, we're not all at the same level. Some have a more innate sense for it, which is why some people make a living doing it, and others say they're more comfortable hiring ghostwriters.
That's not to say you couldn't hone your writing, though. It's a skill, therefore, it can be developed.
While not everyone has the gift of storytelling and weaving worlds together, it's possible to strengthen your writing skills for smaller tasks, such as perhaps writing blogs and articles, or other website content.
If you feel like you need a little more help developing your skills before you take on any type of writing job or you have a dream of one day crafting a novel, we've got you covered!
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Practice the Craft
Writing is like any other skill. You have to practice it to get better. That means scheduling time in your day to sit down and write, whether you're giving yourself a specific assignment (a 1,000-word story or 500-word article, for example) or freehand writing to see what your creativity unleashes.
There's only one real rule here.
Be consistent.
You don't have to write every single day, but the more you do it, the better you'll become. In being consistent, you're going to learn a lot about yourself and how writing benefits you.
Take notes. Is there a specific time of day when you're more productive? For me, I'm a night owl. Some of my best work flows after the kids are in bed and I have a few hours of peace and quiet.
You're going to learn what you really love to write. Are you more of a creative type? Are you building the next fantasy world where humans, fairies, orcs, and dragons live in harmony? Or, do you prefer non-fiction and writing about historic events or politics or, or, or.
Self-discovery through writing is a real thing. And the best part? There's always going to be an audience for you to write for.
Read, Read, Read
Wait, what does reading have to do with writing?
In short, reading can actually help you become a better writer. And, I'm not just talking about reading books about the craft. When you read, you subliminally take in the author's writing style. And the more you read, the more likely you are to resonate with a particular writing style.
Using myself as an example once again, there are some books that I have to put down and walk away from. Not because they're not written well, but because my mind doesn't resonate with the author's writing style. I have also found that I mimic styles in my own writing that I resonate with while reading.
Then, there's the fact that reading quite literally feeds your brain. Even if you're reading a fiction book, you're expanding your knowledge. You're subconsciously picking up several different elements, including sentence structure, vocabulary, flow, and phrasing.
If you pay really close attention, I'm positive you'll begin to see those come out in your own writing as well.
Develop Your Own Voice
Piggybacking off the last section, the more you write, the more you'll develop your own voice. Just like everyone has a unique way of speaking, we have a unique way of writing, too.
Some of the best advice I ever received from my English teachers in grade school was to never let writing get in the way of showcasing my personality. Some assignments, like essays, term papers, or even technical reports, mandate a specific type of writing.
When it comes to stories, blogs, articles, and freestyle writing, though? All bets are off. Be uniquely you. That's how you're going to attract and grow your reader base.
Play around with different writing styles, and like with reading, when one really resonates with you. Keep it. You'll be glad you did.
You can also learn a lot from reading smart breakdowns—like this guide to writing a novel from prologue to epilogue, which walks you through the entire process.
Constantly Analyze Your Writing
I'm not saying you should pick apart every single word you write, but analyzing your writing is a great way to improve it.
Pick apart your style, your word choices, your prose as a whole. Are there areas where you're weak? Some writers struggle with grammar, for instance. Others might have a problem with passive voice. Knowing your weaknesses gives you a base from which you can improve. And since it's a craft, I promise you, no matter how long you've been writing, there is always room to improve.
In this case, practice doesn't make perfect. It makes you better. And that's something to applaud.
Take Courses
If you're really struggling to gain some ground in your writing, there are a plethora of courses you can take online. Some are even free!
Coursera and Udemy, for example, have several writing classes for nearly every niche. Dream of being a star screenwriter one day? There's a class for that, just like there are courses for songwriting, fiction and nonfiction books, and poetry.
If you can't find one that catches your eye, maybe your best bet is to look up your local college's offerings. Sometimes, they have online classes, or if you don't live too far away, you could attend them in person.
Go in With a Clear Outline
Even the most experienced writer will often create an outline before they dig into writing. For me, I outline every single blog before I dive in. The same goes for my novels, for the most part (I'm more of a plantser). It helps keep me on track, otherwise, it'd be really easy to go off on a tangent and forget what you were supposed to be writing about.
The beauty of an outline is that it can be as detailed or sparse as you like, as long as it works for you.
Sometimes, an outline for me is a set of bullet points. Other times, particularly when I'm focusing on my novels, it's a set of brief scenarios I want to see happen in each chapter. But I even pants those (shh! That's our little secret).
Avoid Cliches
Ah. Cliches. We all use them. Believe it or not, though, they're often seen as a crutch. We rely on cliches to say what we want to say without actually using our own words.
Think about how many times you've written phrases like:
- "Think outside the box."
- "Can of worms"
- "In the nick of time"
- "Plenty of fish in the sea"
- "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
- "Pot calling the kettle black"
- "Good things come to those who wait."
These are all cliches. They're popular, and everyone knows their meaning, which is why they fit so seamlessly in our writing.
The problem is: they're overused. Tired. Placeholders. And you can do better.
That's not to say you can't use any cliches. Of course you can, especially if it makes sense in a situation. However, they shouldn't be relied upon to take the place of your own words.
If you read back and notice a lot of cliches in your writing, see if there's another way you can word them, this time in your own words.
Understand that Writer's Block is Real (But There Are Ways Around It)
There have been times when I've gone back and read what I've written and said to myself "this sucks." That cues the onset of impostor syndrome, which has led to writing blocks for me.
Most writers will go through writer's block at least once in their lives. It's when you are absolutely stuck, unable to write, or even think of a way to write. Quite frankly, it's an annoyance, because we want to write. But it's almost like we're paralyzed.
Over the past few years, I've learned that there are ways around it. Since it's my entire career, I can't afford to be stuck for long, so I've learned some coping methods.
Taking Breaks
Take a break, as often as you need it. Even if you've only written five words. If you're stuck, no amount of staring at the keyboard, a blank page, or the computer screen is going to unstick you. What will, however, is walking away. Sometimes, we just need that reset. Don't be afraid to take it.
Take a walk outside, get some fresh air. Or put on some jams and dance around your living room. You'll be surprised at how good you feel after.
This piece on character development offers a great example of how detail and consistency shape voice—something worth analyzing in your own writing.
Try a Different Writing Method
I mentioned before that we tend to create a writing style that resonates with us, but what happens when even that familiar technique isn't doing anything for you? You change it up.
Maybe try a writing exercise that gets you out of your head. Try writing creatively, if you're a technical writer, or vice versa. Sometimes, just doing something a little differently can jar us out of paralysis.
Use Prompts
This is a tried-and-true method for me. I will look up simple writing prompts to inspire me to write something else instead of what I'm working on. Often, I do about a dozen of them before inspiration strikes and I'm able to return to the project I was working on.
Keep Your Reader in Mind
When you're writing, it's important to keep your target audience—your readers—in mind. If you're writing a book, you'll want to make sure you hit the notes in the genre. If you're writing a blog for a specific site, you'll want to make sure you know who the readers are and what type of approach to best take in order to reach them.
This is a great time to experiment with your writing styles, too. What gets the most engagement?
Self-Edit, But Not Right Away
Self-editing is a way to be critical of your work and learn to identify areas where you need to improve. But don't try to self-edit right away. You won't be able to pick it apart adeptly, because it's still in your mind.
Instead, walk away for a bit. A full day, if you can. Don't open the document, don't look at it, don't even think about it. In fact, start a new writing project to take your mind off of it.
Then, go back with a fresh perspective. Eliminate clutter words like unnecessary "that," "so," or "like." These become crutch words. In some instances, they're okay. Look at each sentence to tighten up wordy prose. If you can say it in fewer words, do so.
Get rid of repetitive words and sentences. Look for grammar and spelling errors. Chances are, you'll find a few things to fix.
And if you're not sure where to start…
Hire an Editor
If you're not a skilled writer, it can be beneficial to work with an editor for a period of time. Consider them your writing coach. They provide feedback on your use of words, help you to be more concise, and hit the right notes for your writing project.
Editors can be hired on a per-project basis and may charge either an hourly or flat rate for their services. Trust me when I say it'll be money well spent.
Be Receptive to Feedback
This is a tough one, because as writers, we don't want someone else to pick apart our precious words. It can be a tough pill to swallow when someone marks up our manuscripts or even our blogs. And sometimes, the editors are harsh.
But, if you take it the way it's meant—which is to be constructive and help us grow—you'll find it easier to handle. Don't be afraid to ask your editor for advice, either. If they suggest a change you don't agree with, ask if you can have a discussion about it.
Sometimes, it's just a matter of personal choice. If you're writing a novel, you have the option to decline those changes. After all, it's your book. However, if you're working for a client and the editor is following the client's standards, you might be fighting a losing battle.
Join Writer Groups
One of the best ways to improve your writing is to surround yourself with other writers. If there isn't a community near you, good thing you have the internet at your fingertips.
You can find writing groups on social media for all types of niches. You can choose one that focuses on a specific subject matter or join a general group where the main goal is for everyone to help and support each other.
I'm in quite a few on Facebook, and I always try to help those who struggle with syntax, grammar, and word use questions. But I'm also an author, so I belong to many author groups as well, where we share knowledge to help each other improve not only our manuscripts, but also our overall success.
Know That You'll Fail (And Then, Pick Yourself Up)
Nobody likes to fail. At anything. Unfortunately, though, it's part of life. With writing, you'll fail a lot.
You'll fail to land gigs.
You'll fail to land a literary agent (if you're seeking one).
You'll fail to land publishing deals (at least at first).
But, here's where you need to really hang tough. Even the best were once rejected. Stephen King? His hit "Carrie" was rejected 30 times. Dr. Seuss's first book, the best-selling "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street," was turned away 27 times.
Now, the two authors are household names. You can be one day, too. The key is persistence.
Take each rejection or failure as a learning experience. Use it to grow.
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