9 Rules to Write Better

Follow them, or don’t — it’s up to you.

Writing is like baking a cake. Every writer has his or her own recipe. One way to get better at writing is to copy the recipe of someone you admire. Don’t just read their work, read about their writing process.

Take a passage or an entire chapter of a favourite author and write it out word for word, it will allow you to sink into their style and see the tactics they use to keep the reader engaged. You will come closer to their style and rhythm when you write out entire passages and sentences. Their structure will be more evident as you become intimate with why the writing resonates with you. You aren’t passing this work off as your own, it is just an exercise to learn how great writers go about their craft.

All great writers are great readers. They read. You won’t find a great writer who does not read other great writers.

Copy a writer’s recipe while adding some of your own ingredients. Add less sugar and more salt than your mentor. Develop your voice, rhythm, and flow by coming up with your recipe. Honing your process — your recipe — takes time and a lot sitting in the chair writing.

While you are sitting in the chair writing, below are some rules to follow as a foundation for good writing.