How to become a better writer?
- Thread starter pandaa
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master412160
Seasoned Veteran
Write with emotion.
Write as you would usually say things to someone in a conversation.
Write to question what you just said.
Write your thoughts down on the subject in an instant and edit where you see fit.
Be sure to answer all questions people may have on the subject in your article.
Take what you like of others and spice it up with your own ideas.
Assuming this is what you and Jack aim for? to make articles and not books.
Write as you would usually say things to someone in a conversation.
Write to question what you just said.
Write your thoughts down on the subject in an instant and edit where you see fit.
Be sure to answer all questions people may have on the subject in your article.
Take what you like of others and spice it up with your own ideas.
Assuming this is what you and Jack aim for? to make articles and not books.
If you don't have motivation then you shouldn't write until you get some.
The best pieces of writings are written with emotion I would say. Maybe something that fired you up at work or something someone said just made your brain fall into a timeless hoop where you thought of a million different scenarios that you could write about.
Everyday stuff seems to be the best to write about.
The best pieces of writings are written with emotion I would say. Maybe something that fired you up at work or something someone said just made your brain fall into a timeless hoop where you thought of a million different scenarios that you could write about.
Everyday stuff seems to be the best to write about.
juststeven
Madly Diligent
If it's poetry:
Needs to be full of emotion, from the heart. Don't think about what your writing, just write about it. Think of a major event in your life and let yourself type.
Needs to be full of emotion, from the heart. Don't think about what your writing, just write about it. Think of a major event in your life and let yourself type.
InRomoWeTrust
Reputable
I'd suggest locating some events that cater to things you enjoy doing or are interested in.
(this is going to be really businessy because this is really my slant with work). Check out your local Chamber of Commerce website, Small Business Administration office website, local startup accelerator/incubator/etc. websites, universities, professional groups, etc.
Most urban areas have a metric crap ton of events going on. You can quite easily cherry pick some to attend. Not only will you be able to network but you'll be able to inspire/better yourself. Best of all there are plenty of free/low cost ($10-20 which generally mainly for the organization to cover food/beverage/venue).
(this is going to be really businessy because this is really my slant with work). Check out your local Chamber of Commerce website, Small Business Administration office website, local startup accelerator/incubator/etc. websites, universities, professional groups, etc.
Most urban areas have a metric crap ton of events going on. You can quite easily cherry pick some to attend. Not only will you be able to network but you'll be able to inspire/better yourself. Best of all there are plenty of free/low cost ($10-20 which generally mainly for the organization to cover food/beverage/venue).
Half of the time spent writing seems to be just sitting there trying to think of something. So being patient would probably be of some benefit. Other than that just keep writing it gets better with time. People expect to be good overnight and it just doesn't work that way.
flashlight
New Arrival
I am not a great writer. I usually take a break when I am exhausted. Over thinking things make writing tough. Sometimes I do freestyle writing. I get a lot of inspiration from that. Try free styling for 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes. 😉
Well, the hardest step for many people is keeping their butt on the chair, as one of my English professors told me. Of course, writing in and of itself is not experience, but neither is not writing. As many writers will tell you (e.g., the guys at CopyBlogger), a lot of people will say they are writers but have not even the piles of crap to show for it, much less the published, polished pieces.
Another difficulty aspiring writers have is editing, editing, editing. The process is not done just because words are down, as they may not be the words. For instance, a thirteen line poem I wrote was completed in about an hour, but I have since edited it several times, twenty or so minutes each time, with intent to edit it once more, as I am not pleased with my reliance on several adverbs, and am concerned that two lines might suggest a meaning I do not intend because of poor use of grammar.
As suggested in my mention of CopyBlogger, it might also be helpful to read what other writers have to say, or what has been said about other writers. For example, here are quotations I have extracted from works I recently read, the first two being from articles at CB:
This last quotation is most important to me, as there seems a tendency to view great writers as being on a higher plain, and if only we could reach it we would write well, too. In actuality, writing is a constant mental struggle, even — or especially — for those who have achieved greatness.
The difference between the writer and "aspiring" writer may come down to who beats herself up enough about how hopelessly bad a writer she is to accept the defeat that is never destiny, but always a very active choice.
And it also comes down to who learns through practice that there is no apex to reach as a writer, only that point when you start getting lucky breaks and good turns through your hard work and patience beyond what many "aspiring" writers think is patience.
In regards to inspiration, everyone has a wealth of experience to share, and a lot of cultural baggage to analyze, and reading a lot of books is one way people realize this since the writers who published those books have often done their own soul searching during the ordeal. As Irish writer Richard Steele put it, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."
Another difficulty aspiring writers have is editing, editing, editing. The process is not done just because words are down, as they may not be the words. For instance, a thirteen line poem I wrote was completed in about an hour, but I have since edited it several times, twenty or so minutes each time, with intent to edit it once more, as I am not pleased with my reliance on several adverbs, and am concerned that two lines might suggest a meaning I do not intend because of poor use of grammar.
As suggested in my mention of CopyBlogger, it might also be helpful to read what other writers have to say, or what has been said about other writers. For example, here are quotations I have extracted from works I recently read, the first two being from articles at CB:
— Taylor Lindstrom, "How to Show Up and Write."
— Logan Zanelli, "7 Tips for an Authentic and Productive Writing Process."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson, The American Scholar.
— Jonathan Crossfield, "How to Become a Writer."
— John Gardner, "What Writers Do."
This last quotation is most important to me, as there seems a tendency to view great writers as being on a higher plain, and if only we could reach it we would write well, too. In actuality, writing is a constant mental struggle, even — or especially — for those who have achieved greatness.
The difference between the writer and "aspiring" writer may come down to who beats herself up enough about how hopelessly bad a writer she is to accept the defeat that is never destiny, but always a very active choice.
And it also comes down to who learns through practice that there is no apex to reach as a writer, only that point when you start getting lucky breaks and good turns through your hard work and patience beyond what many "aspiring" writers think is patience.
In regards to inspiration, everyone has a wealth of experience to share, and a lot of cultural baggage to analyze, and reading a lot of books is one way people realize this since the writers who published those books have often done their own soul searching during the ordeal. As Irish writer Richard Steele put it, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."
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