Writing is a loving endeavor, whether it is on a technical or creative level. Many people find themselves intimidated by the whole process. This feeling of dread is natural. Like any other craft, it requires time to improve and master. Fortunately, there are many ways to improve one’s writing ability within 30 days.
Write
It’s a cliché, but it remains undeniably true: Writers write. One of the ways to improve productivity is to set aside some time dedicated to churning out material.
The best starting point is to find a comfortable place to write. Each person has a different routine. Some can sit in a crowded coffee shop, sipping on a latte while they type on their laptop. Others will sit in the comfort of their office, play the music they enjoy, and let their imagination guide their creative hand.
There is no mandatory place a person must write in to get better at the craft. Find a place of comfort and inspiration. This act can be done, whether it is professional or creative material being produced.
Once the place of comfort has been discovered, it is time to write. Set an obtainable goal. One could choose to write a few hundred words a day. A writer could also opt to type out a page a day. While there is no steadfast amount required to be typed, the point is a limit must be defined and followed.
By establishing a goal and firmly committing to it, a person can improve their writing within a month.
Read and Edit
Don’t fret if the material doesn’t feel riveting starting out in the crafting process. Editing exists to refine the writing. Part of the refinement process includes becoming familiar with the rules of grammar and syntax.
One of the most effective methods to improve one’s writing style is to read the work of other authors and writers. Stephen King, one of the most prolific authors in the modern-day, makes a bold proclamation on the subject. He asserts if a writer doesn’t read, they aren’t equipped to write.
Aside from the entertainment value, you can achieve from recreational reading, it can also be done for analytical purposes. We can review what works well within the body of the text by engaging the material with a critical eye and an open mind.
Show Don’t Tell
Contrary to popular belief, peppering prose with adjectives and adverbs can be quite damaging to the quality of the material. Descriptions tend to suffer the most abuse from adverbs.
Often, the easiest way to remove the clutter is to utilize a strong verb. Instead of running quickly, a character might bolt instead. Rather than walking slowly, a character might trudge forward.
Adverbs, if misused, can create redundant sentences. If the word adds no value or meaning to the text, then remove it without hesitation. Readers dislike clunky prose.
A strong descriptive sentence that shows rather than tells can do a better job than tacking on a ton of modifiers. Anton Chekhov said it best: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
Use the power of imagery to engage the reader’s imagination. The quality of the writing will benefit from the act of it.
Vary Sentence Length
One of the most effective tricks to improving prose is to vary the sentence length. Mix in short sentences with longer ones. By pacing the writing in this particular fashion, a budding writer can significantly improve the prose’s readability.
Learn New Writing Techniques
As a writer gets more comfortable penning words to a page, they may wish to experiment with how they communicate their ideas. Like similes and metaphors, techniques can do wonders for bringing the description to life for the reader.
Read examples to get a feel for how it breathes fresh life into the text.
Now Go Become a Better Writer!
By committing to a regular writing regiment for thirty days and reading as much as possible, one can improve their prose. Be vigilant about removing clutter, vary sentence length, and above all else, have fun.
Going into the writing process with the right attitude will do wonders for improving a writer’s writing quality. As a writer gets more comfortable, they will also increase their productivity as they keep to their writing commitment.
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