What kind of writing skills could you add to your own personal development that will increase your chances of becoming a better writer ?

Hi Gabriela,

Here it is some tips:

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  Read great writers. This may sound obvious, but it has to be said. This is the place to start. If you don’t read great writing, you won’t know how to do it. Everyone starts by learning from the masters, by emulating them, and then through them, you find your own voice. Read a lot. As much as possible. Pay close attention to style and mechanics in addition to content.

  
  


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  Write a lot. Try to write every day, or multiple times a day if possible. The more you write, the better you’ll get. Writing is a skill, and like any other skill, you have to practice it to get better. Write stuff for yourself, write for a blog, write for other publications. Write just to write, and have a blast doing it. It gets easier after awhile if you practice a lot.

  
  


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  Create a writing ritual. Find a certain time of day when you can write without interruptions, and make it a routine.

  
  


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  Eliminate distractions. Writing does not work well with multi-tasking or background noise. It’s best done in quiet, or with some mellow music playing. Clear away distractions so you can work without interruption.

  
  


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  Revise. Many writers hate revising, because it seems like so much work when they’ve already done the writing. But if you want to be a good writer, you need to learn to revise. Because revision is where good writing really is. It separates the mediocre from the great. Go back over everything, looking not only for grammar and spelling mistakes, but for unnecessary words and awkward structures and confusing sentences. Aim for clarity, for strength, for freshness.

  
  


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  Be concise. This is best done during the revision process, but you need to edit every sentence and paragraph and remove everything but the essential. A short sentence is preferred over a longer one, and a clear word is preferred over two in jargonese. Compact is powerful.

  
  


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  Get feedback. Someone who reads a lot, and can give you honest and intelligent feedback. And then listen. Really try to understand the criticism and accept it and use it to improve. Instead of being hurt, thank your editor for helping you get better.

  
  

I hope these tips can help you. More in:

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/a-guide-to-becoming-a-better-writer-15-practical-tips.html

Let´s write now!

From my experience, I would suggest looking into freelancing markets if you want to make a little bit of money in this field. You can even find websites where you can take courses on Social Media Marketing for free. In addition, create your own blog. Build up an online porfolio and promote your blog writings on the same social media platforms you want to write about. It also looks good for future job prospects.

I can't say much more than what has already been said. Yes, reading helps with writing. If you can afford it, subscribe to some magazines, not just publications about writing but also those that deal with news or current events. Analyze how successful writers do their work. Also, there may be organizations in your community that offer writing courses. Check with your library or do a web search to locate them. There may be a community college course that you can take that might not be too expense. Another option is to join a writer's group. Check the net for those as well. You don't necessarily have to be an established writer. Sit in on one of the meetings and listen to what other members have to say. Later you can try some of your writing on them. They can provide guidance and constructive criticism that could help you improve your writing or give you the encouragement you need to get started. But look around for a good group. If you don't feel comfortable with a particular one, look for another.

Good luck and happy writing.