15 Cleaver Tips To Become A Better Writer
Real talk: being a writer is tough. I don’t care if you’re a beginner straight out of high school or have been writing for four years or more, it’s a tough job. In fact, it can be so much work, especially for beginners that it becomes a full time at home job.
Many people who don’t work as hard with writing, as we do, will never get how hard of a job it is. You must have ideas in your all the time. You may be a writer whose brain is always on overload all the time with ideas. You need to write them down to get them out of your head. Or, you may be a writer, like I am. If you have deadlines approaching, then you plan.
For writers like me, who have been writing for over a year, may want to branch out in other directions. Examples: editing or freelance writing. “How can I become a better writer?” You ask yourself that question repeatedly in your head.
Today, I answer your question. Here are “15 Clever Tips” that can help you become the best writer you want to be.
1. Read work from other writers.
This first tip may sound silly, but if you want to grow as a writer, this is where you need to start. Reading work from other writers will help inspire and motivate you. You will put more effort into your articles, improving over time. It can also help spark ideas if you have none to write about and you get writer’s block.
2. Write a lot.
If you enjoy writing, write every day or many times a day. Writing takes practice and a lot of time to master. Write hard until you get into a rhythm- having this will help you be more fluent as a writer. You know what they say, “practice makes perfect.”
3. Keep a notebook with you to write ideas.
Keeping a notebook will help you in the best way, I promise. Like I mentioned earlier, many writers need to use a journal to write their ideas. If they don’t, they can forget them. If you become this type of writer, don’t worry. Every writer is different. There is nothing wrong with needing to use a notebook to jot down any ideas you may have.
4. Make a routine.
If I must write, mornings work best, because I have the most energy during that time. Occasionally, I’ll write in the afternoon, but not all the time. Mornings, afternoons or nights, find the time of day to write that’s for you. Make yourself write during that time of day, every day.
5. Let it all out.
Grab a blank piece of paper, a pencil, sit down and let your mind and words go crazy. Turn off anything that might tempt you before you start, like a computer. Now you won’t stop every five minutes to check your email or social media accounts. Snacks from the counter are tempting. Your eyes keep going to it because you see those snacks out of the corner of your eyes. Don’t listen to your eyes, write or type away. Have a phone by your side? Turn it off, so you don’t keep checking your text messages. Focus on writing and writing only.
6. Eliminate all distractions.
The writing process will not work if there are too many distractions. Distractions stop you from concentrating on your writing. In my case, I put my headphones on before I start. There’s no music coming out, but it helps to eliminate anything that may distract me. You may have to go to a quiet place if they become too much, such as your room. Whatever will help you get the job done!
7. Plan. Then write.
I’m this type of writer, a planner. I plan out my writing projects. When an article idea pops into my head, I say out loud, “I will write about this for this platform.” When it’s time to write the idea out, I let the words flow through my fingers and into my computer’s keyboard. I enjoy seeing where it takes me. This can help you, so you don’t stress trying to make it the best.
When I get an idea for an article, I don’t write it out the same day I get the idea. I sleep on it so I can have a clear mind. I do this, so my brain will focus on the article and not a million other things.
8. Get experimental.
Although you want to please your readers, it doesn’t mean you need to be like the writers you work with. Read an article you liked by them, snag a sentence or two that caught your eye. Once you’ve got that, put your twist on those sentences; use your voice and your style of writing.
9. Revise.
After you have let everything come out, you’ll must edit it. Yeah, most of us writers hate revising, but it needs doing if we want to stand out. Mistakes don’t look good in the articles. If your readers notice it, it will make us look bad. And we don’t want that. If you want to improve, you as the writer need to take time to revise what you write after your done typing
10. Be concise.
You do this during your editing process. I know you don’t want to, after all that writing, but you need to edit every single sentence and paragraph. Remove uneasy things and keep what you need.
Small sentences are better than large ones. Simple words that everyone can read and understand is better than a big scholarly word. Know your audience.
11. Stronger sentences with verbs.
This is something to think about while you’re cranking out that first draft. Aim for shorter sentences, not longer ones. Make sure they have more of a push to them. Using verbs in your short sentences can help give them the push they need.
12. Get feedback from others.
When everything is ready, before sending the finished article out, send it to friends and family. They will look it over and provide any constructive feedback. Part of growing as a writer means you must accept criticism. Not only from your readers or writers you work with but also from the people that care most about you.
13. Put yourself out there.
Putting yourself out there is difficult; it is the hardest part of being a writer. Take that risk though. You never know where it may take you. It will help you blossom even more than a writer. As Kelly Clarkson and Friedrich Nietzsche said, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Taking those risks won’t kill you as a writer. It can only strengthen you.
14. Be controversial.
Write like you would talk, don’t put in ‘umm’ and ‘uhm.’ People connect to your writing better if those two words are not there. If this is a habit you have while talking to someone, try to do your best not to put them in your writing. It may be hard to break this habit with writing, but you’ll get there.
15. Start and end strong.
The final tip, start and end your writing strong. You’ll want to start with a good beginning that draws your readers in. You want a proper closing that ties it all together, and your readers can learn something from you. Keep them engaged during their reading. If you don’t latch them on, they won’t be interested nor, will they want to read your article.
I hope all these tips can help all you ‘yearly marked’ writers like me who are looking to be better and grow. If you follow some or even all these tips, chances are you’ll become a better writer.
Good luck and happy writing!
Article is inspired by the article written by Leo Babauta, “A Guide to Becoming a Better Writer: 15 Practical Tips.”
