Lifestyle Blog 11: How to be a better Writer

 Hello Readers! 

Today I want to talk about writing, as it is such an important skill to have, no matter what job you're in. Being a good writer shows you are also a good communicator, and can easily process and explain information in a new way for a different audience. Some people view writing as a scary process, especially when editing their own writing, but writing isn't actually that scary. Writing is merely a way to process and communicate information, and the better you are at it, the more successful you'll be in your job, whether you're writing a cover letter, resume, proposal, client pitch, or anything else. 

I can't proclaim to be a writing expert, but I do have a degree in English and have worked on my writing since I was younger. I want to give you some tips that I've learned over the years about how to become a better writer. If you use these tips over time and add them to your daily practice, you'll be able to see differences in your writing and communication. 

1. Read Read Read 

The best writers are often the best readers. Stephen King, in his book On Writing, illustrates this by explaining that we will often write in a similar style to the authors we read. This isn't a bad thing at all, but in fact, helps us to ease ourselves into an easier way of writing. Being an avid reader will help expand your vocabulary, and give you examples of writers to mimic in your own writing style. You'll find examples of good writing, and start to notice your own writing change the more you read. 

2. Practice your writing through exercises 

Writing is like exercising, you have to continue to work at it to keep in shape. And like exercising, writing takes work. Becoming a better writer is not easy to do, but with practice, you start to perfect your craft. Make sure to practice your writing through exercises, like creative writing prompts or journaling. The most important thing is to keep up with it, scheduling writing time every day to hone your skills. 

3. Editing is your friend 

Editing is something that many people hate to do, as it can be a difficult process. Editing is something that takes work and balance to be successful at, as it's almost too easy to let your inner critic rule your writing process. Inner critics are the best for editing, so take the self-doubt and nervousness you have about writing and channel it into your editing. This will help make your editing more productive, and your editing process not as scary as you thought. 

There are many other tips about how to become a better writer, but using these every day will help you to polish your writing skills over time. I'd also recommend reading books on writing such as Stephen King's On Writing, or Painless Writing by Jeffrey Strausser. Both of these can give you more tools for becoming a better writer. 

Reach out on social media with any questions or comments you may have about this blog! 

Until next time, 

Katie