We spend a great deal of time at our jobs on our computer doing all kinds of writing tasks. We use all types of software that help us with spelling, grammar, and editing but no one teaches you how to become a better writer.
This journey you must take for this is your own, but it need not be a scary one. Writers are important and not only crucial to have at work but also in writing pieces that help others achieve their own writing goals.
Why the Work Needs Writers
People especially need good writers in the workplace. We spend hours on FB, Twitter, and Instagram with our short posts, but no real writing occurs here.
We write fast emails, proposals, presentations, reports, and blog posts but these alone do not show our skills to deliver our very best writing skills. For our best writing to occur we must know how to become better and how to apply it. This goes for not only in our jobs but in our own personal writing so that we can be the best writer we can be.
It is not only important to know the English language in your job but also the ability to write paragraphs that draw attention to the topic at hand. It isn’t enough to just spell check or use grammar correction one must remember the way to how to become a better writer and apply it every day.
How to Determine if Your Writing Needs Improvement
To improve your writing, you need to make sure, the following points are in, so you’ll always be working towards how to become a better writer.
Tips to Learn How to Become a Better Writer
Read Other Writers
You need to read other writers to find the best way to write in your own style. By doing so you’ll learn structure and style and a way of writing that best suits you. Learning from the master’s is the best way to find your own way of writing. It’s important that you find your own voice.
Write Everyday
Write daily and/or multiple times a day to sharpen your skills. One thing to remember is that writer’s write. If you’re not writing daily or even multiple times a day, then you won’t get enough practice and learn how to become a better writer. The key is to write no matter what it is daily. Practice makes perfect.
Keep Getting Ideas
Jot down your ideas for they not only help motivate but provide inspiration. By writing your ideas you are gaining inspiration and that can generate something to write about. This is crucial for it will keep your imagination going and give you the motivation to sit down and write for you have something that you want to write about.
Develop a Routine
Create a ritual and stick to it. Set aside any time, even 30 minutes and let nothing interfere. By writing at a set time you’ve created a routine. It can be a morning or night routine but at least for 30 minutes. But if you can go an hour that would be better especially if you are trying to make writing a full-time job. You’ll need to put more time into your writing should this be your career path. Remember the more you write the better a writer you’ll be.
Just Write
Do nothing else during your writing time but write. We’ve all been there, you sit down to a blank screen and instead of writing you check emails, go on social media, etc. Just start writing and don’t worry about what you’re writing about. Let the words just come out. This is the best way to get the writing juices flowing. You will soon find that during this writing session that you will stumble upon something of interest to write about.
Distraction Free
Don’t get distracted by your surroundings. It is best to tune out all the noise and write. In our busy lifestyles, we are constantly pulled in all directions, but we must not lose sight of our goals when it comes to writing. Therefore, it is important to find a quiet place and make this the regular space that you can write with no interruptions. If you are using your desk, then clear it of all papers that could distract you from just writing. Your goal is to have a space that is cleared of anything that can pull your attention from writing. This is your set aside time. Respect yourself as a writer and others will as well. By setting this time aside it’ll help you to learn how to become a better writer.
Plan Ahead
Do you have a plan for what you are writing? By planning out or outlining (whichever is easiest for you) what you’re writing it leaves out all the downtime in your writing time. You should be writing during your writing time and not mapping out, outlining or brainstorming your piece. Use your time wisely. Don’t use writing time to research or plan. That can be scheduled outside of your regular time slot.
Your Own Style
Are you developing your own style? It is alright to study and even steal bits from other writers. But you must find your own style of writing in doing so this will reach your readers for they will hear your voice and not someone else. You need to make your own path by finding your own voice. Keep experimenting with other writers and find parts of their style that work for you.
Get to the Point
Are you getting right to the point with your sentences? Make sure you’re being as clear as you can with your writing. A long sentence isn’t really needed if it can be shortened and contain the same meaning. Keep to the point and keep it short and powerful. This will ensure that you don’t lose your readers and they will continue to read until the end of your piece.
Feedback Is Key
Are you getting feedback on your writing? Remember criticism is part of what being a writer is all about. It helps us to improve our skills and toughens us up as well. Critiquing is something that goes hand in hand with learning how to become a writer. It’s important to have someone with the knowledge of writing read it.
Get It Read
Your best bet would be a writer or an editor to look it over. Let others read it as well for it can only help improve your writing. Create a blog, or post on another’s as a guest. But get your writing out for others to see as this is important to living the life as a writer.
Make It Flow
Does your writing sound like you are stiff or robotic? You may need to break a few grammatical rules to make your writing flow but that is the name of game. It’s best to come across like you’re having a conversation with your reader. You want to be relatable so write like you are in the room with them and having a conversation. Your best writing is the kind that comes from you with no effort whatsoever.
Begin and End It Strong
Is your beginning and ending strong? These are the two areas that are the most important. You must hook your reader in the beginning or they won’t continue reading. Remember to keep in mind to always leave them wanting more. Each beginning should entice as well as each ending should encourage them to think long after they have read your piece. Keep your ending just as strong as your beginning so that you keep the readers interest all the way through.
Hacks to Become a Better Writer
When you are left with only a few hours to write your piece here are some shortcuts to help you learn to how to become a better writer.
- Get to the point quickly.
- Keep in mind these three key questions:
- What is the reason for your writing?
- What do you want your reader to know?
- What do you want them to do?
- Keep it simple. Write as if you’re writing it to a child.
- Don’t force it. Think of something happy, take a shower or listen to relaxing music.
- Be decisive. Take a stand. No open-ended questions. Be strong and close your piece strong.
- Read your writing out loud. This will catch grammar errors as well as make sure it flows well.
- Change someone’s day by choosing words carefully that are encouraging and positive.
Conclusion
These are amazing tools to help you learn how to become a better writer. We all have the power to make someone’s day with our words whether it be via texts, FB posts, Instagram or Twitter. Take time for your writing and know that you can write without the usage of all the software and correction tools. Learn the basics and then you add to it whatever helps to create the piece that you are writing.
Written for: Steady Content
Andrea Prescott.com 