This post is from a member of the KEvo team.
I’ve always loved writing. Something about it brings clarity, peace, and insight into my world. Despite my love for writing, there have been moments in my life where I’ve hated writing. Now is one of those moments.
I’m almost done with a writing-intensive class. The class itself is not a writing class, but there are writing assignments due every week. Each assignment is scrutinized – as they should be – on content, grammar, and opinion. Everything to be expected in a writing-intensive class, right? The thing is, it’s ruined writing for me… for now. I dread it. But this has happened before.
Have you ever had an opportunity where you have to do something you love and it kind of ruins it for you? That’s how this class has been for me. I always get over it, though. And ironically it’s usually through writing.
So, in an effort to remind myself why I love writing, here are 5 tips on how to become a better writer!
1. Keep writing.
Keep practicing. John Carter of Thirteen/Eight productions said:
Practice makes habit. Perfect practice makes perfect. Tweet this quote.
Keep writing. Then write some more. Then, when you’ve exhausted yourself, write even more. Write every day. Write in different styles and formats. Write formal papers, write emails, write blog posts, write poetry. Just keep writing!
2. Don’t get discouraged.
There’s a great quote by Ira Glass:
So don’t get discouraged. Understand that you won’t be William Shakespeare when you get started, but you can work your way through the mediocrity to something GREAT!
3. Ask questions.
While writing helps find clarity, sometimes clarity helps your writing. Ask questions to find that clarity. Why are you writing? Who are you writing to? What is the end goal? Who will read this? Why will they read it? Clarify your goals to clarify your writing.
4. Tell stories.
Include enough detail to paint an image in your reader’s mind, but not so much detail that your writing gets muddled. Write the way you would talk to a friend.
5. Check up on your grammar
Everyone has their own grammar soap box… Lose vs loose, they’re vs their vs there, to vs too vs two, accept vs except, effect vs affect, the use of commas, who vs whom…. the list goes on and on and on…
Here’s a tip: if you’re concerned about your grammar, find someone willing to edit something you’ve written. What errors do you make regularly? Focus on fixing that first. Don’t try to fix everything at once. Small changes make a big difference. Here’s a great infographic to guide you on some basic grammar issues:
