How I Became a Better Writer

10 changes I’ve made to improve my writing

Writing is a skill we use everyday, and it’s also one of the hardest to perfect. As Hemingway once said, “It’s none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think you were born that way.”
I know for myself, as a professional writer, I’ve battled with confidence in my writing — the constant question, “Am I good enough?” So, I decided to sit down and think about intentional changes I’ve made over the years that improved my work, and therefore my confidence in it. Here are the ten things I came up with.

Before you write

“All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary — it’s just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.”

—Somerset Maugham

1. Read, read, and read some more

I’ve been a reader as long as I can remember. I used to get in trouble in daycare for holding books (I couldn’t even read!), instead of napping. Though reading isn’t a passion for everyone, I can’t stress its importance enough. As George R. R. Martin says, “A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone if it’s to keep its edge.”
Reading gives a writer a foundation to understand writing rules, like syntax and emphasis. More importantly, it helps you develop empathy and critical thinking skills.
Pick up your favorite book and look at the structure of the sentences. What makes you enjoy reading that book? What draws you in? The answers to these questions are your first steps in better developing your own voice.

2. Study grammar and learn new words

You don’t have to go back to school to learn. You can follow blogs like Grammar Girl (she also has a podcast), or get an email with a new word of the day. You can even be a word nerd, like me, and keep a journal with each new word you learn, its definition, and the sentence you read it in.

3. Create an outline for your draft

You don’t have to create a formal outline with Roman numerals like you did in school, but some form of a written plan is important. Brainstorm all of your ideas and create a loose structure. When you sit down to write, you won’t get writer’s block because you’ve already finished one of the hardest parts.

While you write

“This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It’s that easy and that hard.”

-Neil Gaiman

4. Write the body first

I used to get hung up for hours on writing a catchy introduction. The anxiety of taking too long, or feeling like I didn’t know what I was going to write, took a toll on my confidence. So, I started writing all of the meat of my drafts first (this was the stuff I knew), and this helped me gain momentum. I finally stopped getting stuck.

5. Don’t delete

That darn Delete button. I’ve considered removing it before, but typos! Instead, I won’t allow myself to revise anything in my piece until I’ve completed each section. Surprisingly, this helps me finish. It doesn’t matter what you’re writing, if it’s off-topic, if it’s foolish, or if it’s just bad. Get it out. Keep going. Finish the piece. You can fix all of the things you don’t like later.

6. Walk away after your first draft

You’ve done it. The draft is written. Now, save it and close out. I know it’s hard, but, you and your article need a break from each other. Try to get a full night’s sleep before you read it again(if you’re at work, maybe a lunch break?). It’ll be easier to read the piece objectively and revise it well after you walk away.

After you write

“Remember, it is no sign of weakness or defeat that your manuscript ends up in need of major surgery. This is a common occurrence in all writing, and among the best writers.”

— E. B. White

7. Revise and edit

Remember when I said not to delete earlier? Here’s where you’ll thank me. It’s so much easier to use the Delete button during editing than to write more content. Think critically here. What can you cut? What can you move?
Your first draft should never be your last, and that’s okay.

8. Read your work out loud

Seriously. Go in a room by yourself, quietly mumble at your desk, whatever. Read out loud, and listen to the words. This is the best way to pinpoint awkward phrasing, and sentences that fall flat — flatlines are dead. :)

9. Let someone else read it

It’s time to give your content wings; let it fly out there and be read by someone else. Don’t take criticism personally; view it as a way to grow. Reviewers are the buffer between you and your true audience — they’re the guinea pigs for your work. If J.K. Rowling has an editor, you can take a few critiques, too.

10. Always remember your audience

Read your piece one more time. Did you accomplish your purpose? Did you make it accessible to your intended readers? If not, you may want to go back through and revisit those sections. Watch for your tone and voice — a general rule: if you’re writing something professional, make sure your writing is formal, if you’re writing a blog, then make sure the writing is fun and fresh.

You’ve finished your piece. Now what?

That’s pretty simple. Write more. If you want to improve your writing, then you have to keep doing it. Write, take a break, and write some more. If you’re not a professional writer, then keep a journal, start a blog (you can keep it private), or work on something creative. Just don’t give up. They say 10,000 hours makes you a master at any skill; this includes writing. I should know, some of my older writing is TERRIBLE, and now I’m employed as a writer. You can do it, too. I promise.

If you’re interested in joining our team, feel free to check out the job openings at Soluto Nashville and send me a note!