HOW TO BE A BETTER WRITER

One of the best things about writing is that it’s such a diverse skill. You can use it for pleasure – to get your thoughts out on paper or write creatively, you can use it for business – marketing, blogging, or book writing, and it’s used every day for communication – texting, emailing and messaging.

Even if writing is just a hobby to you, you want produce something that you’re proud of! If you find yourself tossing out draft after draft, you might need to use these simple tips to become a better writer.

WRITE AND READ EVERY DAY

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it really can’t be stressed enough how important it is. Reading helps you learn new words, learn better grammar and develop an overall sense of writing style. The best part is that you don’t have to pay for a writing course! Just pick up a good book every day and after you’re done reading, write down your thoughts or try your hand at your own story. Have fun with it but really try to make sure you’re doing your best.

BE DESCRIPTIVE

Great writing really immerses readers into the piece. Use all five of your senses when describing something to paint the entire picture of what you’re writing about. When you read it back to yourself, do you feel like you’re sitting in the scene? What would you see, smell, taste, hear and touch?

WRITE AND REWRITE

Experts say that you should revise your work four times before publishing it. Your first draft will hash out all of your ideas and general format. Draft two will address all of the grammar and punctuation issues. After this, give your writing a little bit of time to sit. Revisit it after an hour or so and do some real editing. Are you saying exactly what you want to say in a clear way? After this, have someone read it to catch any errors that you may have missed. Now, you’re writing is ready for the world to see!

AVOID CLICHES

Make your writing unique. People don’t want to read something that is filled with words that they’ve heard a million times before. Find a new and exciting way to say everything that you’re presenting to the reader.

REMEMBER WHO YOU’RE WRITING FOR

Blog writing is usually conversational and written in a style that is like you’re talking to a friend while email writing is usually quite formal, punchy and to the point. Book writing is a different story altogether! (see what we did there?) The best way to learn how to write for your audience is to read pieces that are like what you want to write! Want to be a better blogger? Read more successful blogs. It’s as simple as that.

AVOID ADVERBS AND ADJECTIVES

This might seem crazy, but it will really help you be a better writer. Instead of using adverbs and adjectives to bulk up your writing when you’re describing something, try to find a way around them to give the readers a better visualization. For example, instead of writing: “It was a really cold day.” you could say: “It was 5 degrees below zero that day and the whipping wind felt like needles on my cheeks.”

As the first point states, the best way to become a better writer is to WRITE! Use these tools and go put your words out onto the world. Onward!