Change The World With Words

Great writing always looks effortless, but never is. The good news is that by putting in the effort, you can improve your writing day by day, and there are some very simple rules to follow to achieve this:

Write every day. Whether it’s an article, blog post, chapter outline, a page of your book (or ebook), or a rough draft of a future piece of writing. Just write something.

Write about subjects you’re passionate about. Passion leads to natural, genuine, well-informed and well-researched writing.

Start a blog, or a few blogs, about the subject(s) you’re most passionate about, and blog regularly.

Read your work aloud. It’s a great way to spot clumsy sentences and repetition.

Edit ruthlessly.

Read inspiring books about writing. Start by checking out the Change The World With Words  Reading List and Online Book Store.

Read great blogs about writing.

Be curious. Every time you read, or hear, something interesting look into it further. There’s usually a story, article or blog post there.

Live life to the full. The more you experience, the more you have to write about.

Keep it simple. Never use a big word when a small one will do. Never use two words when one will suffice.

Brainstorm. List ten brilliant ideas for blog posts, five specialist subjects you could write an article about, eight new things you’d like to try (and write about), or three potential book titles.

Write in different genres. If you’re a non-fiction writer, try a short story. If you usually write sci-fi, try romance. If you’re a blogger, try writing a long feature article or personal essay.

Always carry a notebook. Ideas never stick around as long as you think they will.

Write wherever you are. At a cafe, on a train, in the doctor’s waiting room.

Try writing long hand, instead of straight onto the keyboard. There’s a theory that it stimulates a different part of your brain (and it definitely helps avoid keyboard induced repetitive strain injury).

Analyze writing you love. Work out what makes it so compelling (and look at writing you hate to work out what to avoid).

Avoid the obvious. Great pieces of writing often take a ‘taken for granted’ idea and challenge or re-frame it. this is a great way to give your writing impact.

Learn something new. Take a class or online workshop. Consider a writers’ retreat or residential course.

Make a specific commitment. Decide to do one thing every day for a month that will improve your writing or move your writing career forward. Make your own list in advance or enlist some help.  Consider investing in The 31 Day Guide to Making Money as a Freelance Writer, which sets you daily assignments for the month.

Network with other writers in your field. Start conversations with other writers online. Begin by leaving a comment on this blog post!

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