Writing often seems intimidating, particularly for those who aren’t writers by trade. However, it is an important job skill that enables you to communicate your thoughts and opinions with clarity. Your writing also elicits the desired reaction from your readers.
So, what does it really take to improve your writing?
Having a basic understanding of grammar, spelling, and punctuation is necessary for good writing. But that’s not all. There are some proven creative writing tips you can practice and follow to deliver a stellar piece of content.
But beforehand, we highly encourage you to check some common grammar mistakes in English – that could avoid becoming a better writer with your next project.
8 writing tips to help you become a brilliant writer today
We’ve put together a list of tips that can help you improve your writing and become a star performer of your team – a wordsmith!
1. Write, write, write
As the saying goes, “practice makes perfect.” Writing is a skill that you can whet and improve with constant practice.
Journaling is one of the easiest things you can do to train the writing muscle. On top of being cathartic, journaling gives you a space to explore, record, and revisit creative ideas. It can even help you break out of writer’s block.
No matter how you want to practice, it would be best if you strived to turn writing into a fun habit instead of a tedious chore. This makes it easier for you to get into the flow of writing every single time.
The more you practice, the better you become. Thus, even though no one’s there to read it, make sure to practice writing regularly. While you’re in the process of improving your writing skills, you’d get a lot of advice – we’ve shortlisted some not-so-good writing advices that you should definitely avoid following.
2. Read, read, read
If you aim to improve your writing skills, read as much as you can. Reading can help you build a strong foundation for writing. It can expand your horizons by exposing you to different stylistic items, voices, story structures, and plot developments.
Reading can also inspire you to write more. It can help you break out of that slump and get those creative juices flowing. It’s a great writing tip for beginners, as reading good content can help you follow the same path. Also, you’d get to learn the correct usage of the word. It’s a common error among the writing community that they rely on big words, which according to a study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology – doesn’t help you in writing.
3. Set writing goals
Goals give you motivation and focus. If you’ve been working hard to improve, but you feel like you aren’t getting anywhere, then it might be time to set realistic writing goals. You can start by setting up a writing schedule. You can also aim for a minimum daily word count.
Setting goals can give your efforts direction. You can focus on areas that need the most improvement to get the best results from your daily writing exercises. For instance, you might want to write simpler sentences, shorter, improve cohesion, or bring clarity to your writing.
4. Practice with writing prompts
There will be days when you won’t feel motivated to write. Whenever you feel uninspired, you can turn to write exercises such as prompts to get new ideas. Prompts encourage creativity and make writing fun.
Writing prompts can push you out of your comfort zone. You can write in different voices and explore new subjects that you haven’t written about. The challenge can be an enjoyable learning and educational experience. You might even discover strengths that you never knew you had.
5. Get constructive feedback – and appreciate it
Feedback can add value to your writing. You’ll know how much you’ve progressed. At the same time, you’ll be able to identify opportunities for improvement.
You can sign up for writing workshops, where you can learn the theories, put them into practice, and get constructive criticism. They are often conducted by professionals who are successful in their respective fields, like journalists, novelists, and poets. However, these workshops are quite brief, lasting anywhere from a few days to weeks.
If you want something more constant, you should join a grammar club. As a group, you can meet up weekly or monthly. After selecting topics to write about, you can work on your write-ups individually; then you can meet up to exchange feedback. This deems a handy tip to improve your writing – as external feedback on your writing can bring some great ideas to the discussion.
6. Learn how to outline
Outlining can bring clarity and cohesion to your thoughts. Whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction, an outline can serve as your guide before you start spilling words onto a page. You can organize your most promising ideas, then brainstorm examples and details.
Writing an outline won’t take up a lot of time. It can also make you write more smoothly as you’ve already identified which direction you want to pursue. It is also essential to stay focused and bring more creativity to the section you’re working on.
7. Be specific and write short sentences
As a writer, when you’re in the flow, words keep coming. This leads to longer sentences and repeating yourself.
It’s best to keep your sentences short. You need to write short sentences not just because they are easier to read, but also easy to understand. Also, stay to the point, which avoids any complexity in your writing, hence eliminating confusion.
8. Edit your work
Revisit your write-ups and writing exercises after a few hours or days so that you can look at them with fresh eyes. Then, edit them ruthlessly.
Whether or not you’re in a writing club, you should make it a habit to rewrite your previous work. Be your own harshest critic. Feel free to shorten or omit all the parts you feel aren’t adding value to the piece and rewrite sentences that are difficult to read.
So, are you ready to become a brilliant writer?
Good writing is a result of countless hours of writing and reading. It is not a gift that is extended only to a privileged few. As long as you are dedicated and willing to put in the work, you, too, can become an exceptional writer. You can use tools like Grammarly, Ginger, and Hemingway App to improve your writing skills.
That sums up our take on some great writing tips you can follow. Please drop us a note in the comment section below with your experience in writing. We’d also love to hear more creative writing tips that are helping you as a writer.
Keep writing and sharing!