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Most writing resources and blogs (including this one) will tell you the number one way to improve your writing is to write—which is true. You cannot improve your writing if you don’t practice and take the lessons you learn along the way and incorporate them into your words.
But rather than writing another post about the importance of writing, I’d like to discuss some other ways for writers to improve their skills.
- Pay attention to your surroundings. Whether you’re washing the dishes, taking a walk in the park or stuck in parking-lot-like rush hour traffic, paying attention to our experiences is the first step to conveying a sense of verisimilitude (or realism) in our writing. I’m sure you have all at one point or another come across a passage while reading and thought yes, that’s exactly what that’s like! While those moments can feel like magic, they don’t come to the author through spontaneous inspiration—they begin by paying attention to our experiences so that we can accurately convey them on the page.
- Critique as much as possible. You wouldn’t think that critiquing others makes you a better writer, but it truly does. I’ve written in length about this before, so I won’t go into it in detail, but in short, forcing yourself to pay attention to what works and what doesn’t in other people’s work makes it easier to then recognize the same patterns in your own work, particularly when editing.
- Read widely and often. Stephen King said it best: “If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.” I’ve written about this before as well, but it’s worth saying again: writers MUST read in order to improve.
- Take note of what you like/dislike while reading. I don’t mean that you literally have to write things down (although that doesn’t hurt), but while you’re reading it’s good to pay attention to what you like and what you don’t like. Was that description particularly evocative? What was it about it that really engaged you? Did that chapter feel as if it dragged? Why do you think that was the case? Reading actively is a great way to learn different techniques and writing nuances than you can then incorporate into your own work.
Other than writing, what methods would you add to the list?
Twitter-sized bites:
Writers are always looking for ways to improve their craft. Have you tried these four methods? (Click to tweet)
What do you do to improve your writing? Writer @Ava_Jae discusses four ways to help improve your craft. (Click to tweet)
14 comments:
Reading non fiction (both books and articles) can be useful and inspiring as well. For me, there are things that really work and really don't when I read non fiction, and the things that really work can translate well to fiction writing.
That's a great addition, Jen! Books and articles on the craft of writing itself can be a fantastic resource and learning tool.
I might add a number five: read great blogs like yours. Of course, this can be part of number 3. Thanks for all you do to help us become better writers.
Aw, wow! Thank you so much! That was very sweet. :)
As always, I'm happy to help!
For those of us still in school paying attention in class can be very important. I have used info from history, economics, science, politics, etc in my writing. Mostly as inspiration. For those not in school the news can actually provide inspiration for characters, conflict, plots, etc.
Both books and articles on the craft, and others. Devil in the White City, for an example, was a very inspiring non fiction book.
But, reading on the craft specifically does make me feel very virtuous and inspired, as though I'll just go out there and knock out a story that will get loved and accepted immediately. Kind of like how reading dog training books make me feel virtuous and like a better dog owner.
Ha ha I agree. Reading craft books can definitely be inspirational or motivational. :)
That's an interesting point! Inspiration can come from just about anywhere, so very nice addition. :)
Writing a lot. All the others won't help if there's not much writing going on.
Yes, very true. Which is why I mentioned how important writing is before the list. :)
I'm going to nitpick, because it was easy to skip over. Most people will jump to the four bullet points to scan, and it wasn't on the list.
It's true that people scan, and if they miss something when they do, I'm more than happy to point them back to the post. It happens, and that's totally fine.
So true! I say it all the time too about critiquing others. I've learned more from that than just about anything!
Couldn't agree more! Critiquing others and getting critiqued are two of the quickest ways I know to improve your craft.
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