Writing is something you definitely need a talent for. And unfortunately, over the last few years, the number of good writers decreased significantly. Some claim that the reason for it lies in the short deadlines and massive workload every writer deals with; others mention that the reason for poor writing is the lack of discipline.
Discipline. You heard it right.
Even though it takes talent to write well, you can always train your writing skills and improve the quality of the content you deliver.
You wonder what you can do to improve your writing skills? It is a no-brainer. Read on and apply our useful tips which can skyrocket your success in this area in no time.
7 habits to skyrocket your writing skills
1. Look at each piece of writing from the reader’s position.
Too often writers view their work from their position, but this is not how it should work. Whenever you open your favorite book or get a new issue of a magazine you are subscribed to, go over each article as a reader and note what stood out to you.
If it is possible, take notes and keep track of interesting figures of speech that you as a reader found eye-catching.
There might be people with greater experience than yours, and it is an excellent idea to learn from them. So, be proactive when reading, underline passages you enjoyed the most and put them into your own “writer’s treasure box” which you should open every time you feel stuck in the middle of the creative process.
2. Read like a writer.
Even though it is incredibly important to pay attention to what strikes you as a reader, you should also learn to read as a writer. You know more about techniques and methods of effective article writing and calls to action than any of your readers. And this means that whenever you are reading articles by other talented writers, you have a chance to take notes on what techniques you want to use in your next articles.
Besides, it is important to read different kinds of literature to broaden your view of life and enrich your vocabulary and life experience. Thus, detective stories, poetry, modern prose and news reports should be all present in your daily reading.
3. Create a structure for your articles.
It is a good idea to create a plan of how the articles you craft should go. If you’ve been writing for some time now, you know what should be in the text to make it successful. That is why it will be a great idea to compose one plan to which you will stick whenever you sit down and work on a piece of writing.
Besides, we also recommend searching for a good template online which would guide you on what the introduction, main paragraphs, and conclusion should look like. For example, you can make the introduction intriguing and promise a reward for reading the piece. The main paragraphs should offer a solution to the problem whether the readers realize they have it or not. Finally, the conclusion should summarize what was said and build up the interest around what else is coming in the next post. Think about it and consider finding one template to work for you.
4. Write whenever possible.
We live in a unique era right now. We have so many platforms to exchange thoughts and ideas, and people who lived 100 years ago could never imagine it would be possible. We have social media to share our thoughts with our friends and influence people we do not know. We have video hosting services to deliver information even in a faster manner. And we have personal blogs. Of course, this is not a full list, but you get the point.
We have plenty of chances to write. And our next tip is to make it your regular practice. For instance, you can start your own blog and add a new post every week or every month. This will motivate you to keep up with the latest trends and read what other people in the same area do.
5. Be around writers.
You need to surround yourself with writers. Be where they are, read what they read, and learn the best from them. There are plenty of things you can do if you consider following this tip. For instance, you can join a community of professionals or beginners. You might as well organize something like this. Search for poetry evenings or classes that can boost your level of expertise in this area.
However, you do not necessarily have to attend some events to follow our tips here. You can simply subscribe to an interesting blog or get some professional literature. Thus, you can improve your skills without even having to leave your home. Make this your habit, and you will enjoy the results soon.
6. Use the technology.
Thanks to many bright minds, technology today can really be a magic solution for busy writers. So, using what the world has to offer to you today is a great decision. For instance, you can use time management applications that help you meet deadlines. Besides, you can download special software that will keep you organized. You wonder how? By blocking some web pages during specified hours which can be a huge blessing for those of you who are having a hard time working without getting distracted.
You might also save time if you learn how to type faster. Invest your time in mastering the skill – and you will see how much time you save by typing exactly what you need without having to look at the keyboard or correct the words over and over again.
Finally, you can save a lot of time by learning how to use special software that can check your grammar and punctuation. Just think of how much time you will have if you use the apps that proofread your articles for you. Now, as the program does the job for you, you can proceed to the next task instead of working on one article for hours.
7. Motivate yourself.
It is not a good idea to do something only because you feel the burden of the deadline pressing you. When it comes to artistic jobs like writing, you need to remember that discipline cannot guarantee success here. You should also enjoy what you do. Otherwise, your readers will feel the stress behind your words.
Therefore, the next habit we would recommend you to obtain is self-motivation. Before you open your laptop or grab a pen, you need to remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing. Is there a longing somewhere in your soul for writing? If not, you should stop for a moment and remind yourself of all the joy that comes rushing to your body after you compose a decent piece. You must enjoy what you are doing. So, motivate yourself and focus on how much you love what you do.
As you see, there are specific habits that one should definitely develop to be a better writer. They are all here, on our list. The only question that remains is which of them you have and which ones you should develop as soon as possible to become a better professional. Please share your answers in the comments and tell us what habits you find valuable for writers. In the meantime, we wish you all the best on this path!
Lori Wade is a journalist and content writer from Louisville. Lori creates news and informative articles about HR, recruiting, and employee productivity. You can find her on LinkedIn.