Many people wish they could write good stories and by extension, be great writers. They have a lot of good ideas, but each time they try to write, they struggle. What do you think you could do to get better at it? Let’s see three things you must do:
Read
Reading is very important to your development as a writer. It helps to expand your imagination, and vocabulary and open your mind to ideas. Reading helps you to understand the human condition. Literary fiction enhances our understanding of others. Engaging with works of art gives us deeper thinking and empathy.
You can learn structure, technique and so much more by reading and finding more interesting ways to use words in your writing. Incorporate daily reading into your language exercises; maybe even make your practice paragraph a review or summary of what you read that day, taking different elements of the author’s writing style to develop your own voice.
Write
Like many skills, one of the best ways to improve your writing is to practice. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts that can transform you into an amazing writer overnight. Even the most talented people had to learn their craft over a period of time. If you want to improve your skills, writing on a regular basis will not only diminish your fear of the blank page, but it will also help you develop a unique style. So, even if nobody reads it, keep writing.
Try to set daily exercises for yourself. Even just committing yourself to write a paragraph a day is enough. You can partner up with someone else who also wants to improve their skills and read each other’s paragraphs to see where changes need to be made. Sometimes the most difficult step in the process is the act of actually sitting down and getting the writing done.
Be Observant
To be a good writer, you need to be a good observer. You must continually be on the lookout for details and oddities that will provide the necessary inspiration for your source material. Wherever you are, try to capture the bits and pieces of conversation and everything happening around you. Pay attention to sights and sounds and how people express emotion. Notice the diversity in characters. Try to have a notepad or app on your phone where you can jot things down so you do not forget.
