Five Tips to Be a Better Writer
Writing is an excellent skill that can help you express feelings you would normally not have an outlet for and create worlds of your very own. Becoming a great writer isn't an easy feat, but with dedication and hard work, it can be achieved.
Read a Lot
Great writers read a lot. If you don't read, then the odds of you becoming a great writer are zero. Develop a habit of reading a wide variety of genres from fantasy to nonfiction. Learn how other writers tell their stories so you can work on developing your own voice. Also, the more you read, the more you will understand the mechanics of great writing.
Write a Lot
Obviously, if you want to be a better writer then you need to write a lot. The simple act of putting pen to paper will make you a better writer. Writing is a skill, and you need to work on developing that skill. Remember that practice makes perfect, so the more that you write, the better you will become. Try starting a journal or a blog. The important thing is to write!
Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal will help you to find your voice and clear your mind. Writers have a lot of thoughts going on in their brains. The main thing is to weed out all of the not so good ideas from the brilliant ones, and keeping a journal will help you do just that. Plus, carrying a journal around will ensure that you always have a place to put all of those great ideas that come at random times.
Make Writing a Habit
Carving out a specific time of day that you can write without interruptions is the best way to make sure that you meet your writing goals. Shoot for at least an hour of solid, uninterrupted writing every day and stick with it! Try writing whenever it works best for your schedule, such as in the morning, at lunch time, or even in the evenings. Remember that this time is for writing and only writing. So, turn off your cell phone, stay off of Facebook, and focus only on your writing.
Edit
Writing is only half of the battle. Editing is a more important part of writing than most people think. You need to learn to take the ax to those long, verbose passages, and find out what really matters. In the beginning, it is best to work on editing your pieces with a friend or a group of other writers so you can see what works. If you don't have any friends that are writers and cannot connect with any, try reading your work from your target reader's perspective. That way you will know what you need to throw out and what works.
These writing pointers are only the tip of the iceberg, but they are the best ways to improve your writing. You won't become a writer overnight, but with a lot of practice you can develop your voice.
