7 answers
Kenzie
Student
Paterson, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
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How do i become a good writer?
How do i become an author
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7 answers
Ross Smith
Research specialist and editor
10
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Ross’s Answer
Hi Kenzie.
To me, the key to being a good writer is learning to be your own best editor.
When I was in school, I was a terrible writer. I'd wait til the last minute to work on term papers. I'd do a draft with pen and paper, then edit it while typing it up the night before it was due. Sometimes the results were great, other times terrible. The problem was that I'd read that first draft and think, 'How did I come up with something this bad?' Each one was a real blow to my ego, so I'd put off rewrites as long as I could.
That changed when I got a boss who told me, "I don't care what it looks like. Just give me something to work with and I'll polish it." Because of this, I could reread a first draft that was in rough shape and edit it knowing that getting it into OK shape was good enough. Not perfect, but OK. And the more I did it, the more comfortable I got with editing my own work.
So my suggestions are these:
1) Be kind to yourself. No writer I know honestly likes their first drafts - we always see room for improvement. So if you need to, work on accepting that a first draft is not an accurate measure of your true skill as a writer.
2) As others have said, practice is key, not just in turning ideas into words on paper, but also in revising what you've written. One way to practice is to pull out things you wrote several years ago and reworking them, applying the skills and knowledge you have now that you did not have then.
3) Show what you've written to other people as often as possible and ask for their honest feedback. Some of it may be useful, some of it may hurt, and some of it may completely miss the point. But all of it will help you sharpen your skills and develop your own unique voice.
To me, the key to being a good writer is learning to be your own best editor.
When I was in school, I was a terrible writer. I'd wait til the last minute to work on term papers. I'd do a draft with pen and paper, then edit it while typing it up the night before it was due. Sometimes the results were great, other times terrible. The problem was that I'd read that first draft and think, 'How did I come up with something this bad?' Each one was a real blow to my ego, so I'd put off rewrites as long as I could.
That changed when I got a boss who told me, "I don't care what it looks like. Just give me something to work with and I'll polish it." Because of this, I could reread a first draft that was in rough shape and edit it knowing that getting it into OK shape was good enough. Not perfect, but OK. And the more I did it, the more comfortable I got with editing my own work.
So my suggestions are these:
1) Be kind to yourself. No writer I know honestly likes their first drafts - we always see room for improvement. So if you need to, work on accepting that a first draft is not an accurate measure of your true skill as a writer.
2) As others have said, practice is key, not just in turning ideas into words on paper, but also in revising what you've written. One way to practice is to pull out things you wrote several years ago and reworking them, applying the skills and knowledge you have now that you did not have then.
3) Show what you've written to other people as often as possible and ask for their honest feedback. Some of it may be useful, some of it may hurt, and some of it may completely miss the point. But all of it will help you sharpen your skills and develop your own unique voice.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Kenzie
Alyscia Cunningham
Writer and Director
1
Answer
Washington, Washington
Updated
Alyscia’s Answer
Join local and virtual writing groups, network with other writers for tips/advice, and last but not least... write. You get better the more you practice.
I use www.meetup.com to connect with local writing groups and join in-person when I'm able. You can also join virtual writers meetings. I recommend London Writers Salon and Sundance Institute Writers Cafe.
Write on!
I use www.meetup.com to connect with local writing groups and join in-person when I'm able. You can also join virtual writers meetings. I recommend London Writers Salon and Sundance Institute Writers Cafe.
Write on!
Ricardo Islas
producer
26
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Ricardo’s Answer
Becoming a great writer involves two key aspects: embracing the writer's role and honing your skills. To truly be a writer, you must write as often as possible. Writing is a craft that grows and gets better with plenty of practice. Excelling as a writer relies on various factors, one of which is possessing talent. By reading and writing extensively, you can cultivate the skills needed to become a skilled writer from a technical perspective. Reading helps enhance and broaden your vocabulary, while writing refines your technique. As for talent, only time (and the feedback from your readers and critics) will reveal if you have it. Always pay attention to the world around you and absorb the works of others. Avoid wasting time on poor-quality literature; instead, seek out high-quality writing that will influence and elevate your own writing style.
Thank you, Ricardo!
Kenzie
Walter Dozier
4
Answers
Updated
Walter’s Answer
Hi there! I’m a professional author. I’ve written a full length novel, started writing a sequel novel, a cookbook and an autobiography all by the time I finished high school. I’m only recently graduated. Anyway I got my start by simply thinking up an idea (what do I want to write about?) after that I started jotting down ideas and stories in my physical copy of my first draft. Eventually I shared some of it with friends and family and started writing it in an app where I transformed my basic idea into an entire novel. It’s important to note that I wrote about something that would help me learn more. As my first novel was written as a tribute to my cultural heritage which I wanted to discover more about. To become a good writer I would say reading is one of the most important things. Read everything; fiction, non fiction, mythology, history, books for learning, comic books and a wide range of things. Also watching movies and tv shows can help as well. Pay attention to themes and dialogue and try to think of unique ideas to build a story or idea off of. Never plagiarize! Always make sure whatever you write is 100% you. Along with reading, keep writing down things. Whether it’s just notes or ideas, short stories or whatever you feel like writing about, and if you feel a need to expand on the basic idea, why not do so? Overall writing is heavily subjective. People may tell you that they dislike your work but it’s always most important that you yourself enjoy your work. That’s really the best advice I can give. Good luck! 👍
Tom Foster
Freelance writer
28
Answers
Forest Grove, Oregon
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Honest and simple: you write.
There's more to it and there are a lot of steps that people will sell you on and even insist are necessary. But the first building block is this: write.
Some will say that you need to come up with the idea first, and they're not wrong, but instead of going into the complicated and often very involved process of writing, remember one thing: just write. That's how you become an author.
My advice beyond that is to read, listen, learn, and then repeat the cycle over and over again until your head hurts, your eyes burn, and you feel as though the last shred of sanity you were born with has been replaced with a mind-numbing madness that threatens to overtake you as you shout your frustrations into an abyss that is always listening but gives little to nothing back.
But above all: just write.
There's more to it and there are a lot of steps that people will sell you on and even insist are necessary. But the first building block is this: write.
Some will say that you need to come up with the idea first, and they're not wrong, but instead of going into the complicated and often very involved process of writing, remember one thing: just write. That's how you become an author.
My advice beyond that is to read, listen, learn, and then repeat the cycle over and over again until your head hurts, your eyes burn, and you feel as though the last shred of sanity you were born with has been replaced with a mind-numbing madness that threatens to overtake you as you shout your frustrations into an abyss that is always listening but gives little to nothing back.
But above all: just write.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Kenzie
Peg Fallon
Flexible Professional With Legal Research and Editing Experience
5
Answers
Updated
Peg’s Answer
To excel as a writer, it's crucial to first immerse yourself as a devoted reader. What kind of books or magazine articles captivate your interest? What draws you to these pieces? Is it the subject matter, the unique style of the author, or a blend of both?
I believe the most effective way to sharpen your writing skills is to maintain a journal. This allows you to record not just your personal experiences, but also your thoughts and feelings about matters close to your heart, like your loved ones, your companions, or the global issues we face. You might want to kick-start your writing with thought-provoking prompts such as "If I were in the president's shoes," or "We have the power to make the world a better place by..." As you continue to engage in reading and writing, you'll notice your skills evolving and improving. Here's to your success!
I believe the most effective way to sharpen your writing skills is to maintain a journal. This allows you to record not just your personal experiences, but also your thoughts and feelings about matters close to your heart, like your loved ones, your companions, or the global issues we face. You might want to kick-start your writing with thought-provoking prompts such as "If I were in the president's shoes," or "We have the power to make the world a better place by..." As you continue to engage in reading and writing, you'll notice your skills evolving and improving. Here's to your success!
Caitlyn Johnston
Senior Technical Writer
44
Answers
Odin, IL
Updated
Caitlyn’s Answer
To be a good writer, you need to study good writing. In fact, it just so happens I wrote an article about this just for people like you! :)
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-100-must-reads-aspiring-writers-caitlyn-johnston/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-100-must-reads-aspiring-writers-caitlyn-johnston/