Here's how you can keep honing your writing skills while unemployed.

You can't be a better writer if you are not ready to practice writing everyday. Writing is like an art you must be willing to improve everyday. You must fall in love with it and enjoy doing it everyday. These daily practice will help you hone the skill and stay consistent.

Here are some of my ideas based on how I improved my writing when I didn’t live somewhere where people spoke English! Set a goal. Is your issue that your sentences are too long? Spelling? Punctuation? Quick reading. A short article from Grammar Girl or Purdue OWL can give you quick answers to questions like, “how to use semicolons” or “when should I write out a number with letters?” Whether it’s an email, answering texts, or a grocery list, you do a lot of daily writing—you just aren’t writing “mindfully.” Make an extra effort to use semicolons correctly, or write a social media post in a different style. Get feedback. Ideally, an editor friend or coworker. Consider a writing course, such as Word Conscious, or a college course.

You probably read more than you think. If you're seeking to develop a "voice" in a particular genre, it's always helpful to read a variety of voices in that genre. The goal is NOT to imitate others, but to get an understanding of the lingo used in that field, and the formats that people tend to prefer. Personally, if I'm about to craft an important email or letter for work, I look at emails or letters that I found impactful or that I received from professionals I admire. Re-reading these reminds me of how what they wrote made me feel -- and reflect on what I want those who read my work to feel. Still, don't discount the importance of recreational reading. It's the reading you absorb subconsciously that makes the most impactful mark.

For grammar or creative writing, a great place to start is Coursera or any kind of college workshops available to you. However, outside of learning the mechanics of the craft, I tend to find that theoretical courses only go so far: you want something hands-on that challenges you. I tend to stick to shorter courses for creative writing, because what I'm really looking for is inspiration and an understanding of what other writers think; not a 10-hour course on how to imitate a specific writer. When it comes to professional writing, it can be a harder to find the right fit. That's why we're developing Word Conscious content, an online, hands-on resource to improve your workplace writing. We're trying to fill that void for young professionals.

As a healthcare writer, I believe that writing is not just about conveying information, but also about connecting with others and sharing stories that inspire and heal. Joining a writing group can provide a sense of community and support, helping you stay motivated and inspired to craft compelling content that makes a positive impact on people's lives.

It can take a few different times to find the writing community that's right for you! Local libraries, Facebook groups in your area and events centered around writing events like NaNoWriMo can be great places to start. Camps can be a little pricier -- but making connections with other writers can open doors. Don't be opposed to a virtual writing group, either; sometimes those are the most rewarding, whether they're focused on a specific fandom or on an aspect of the publishing industry. And remember it's a two-way street: read others' work at least twice as much as you share your own, so you can learn from it and also become a source of trusted feedback for others.

This I feel is the most important to do, whether you re employed or not. This can range from blogs to social media posts or even manuals or guides for things you use in your free time, there is always something to write about, that would add some value to the person who reads it. Having that knowledge motivates me personally a lot more than doing writing exercises that will bring no value and provides little to no feedback, especially not from non-writers.

Welfare and non-profit organisations are always in need of assistance, whether its financial contributions or providing services without charge. You could offer to do some writing for your local sports club, church or women's shelter, for example. They would be grateful for the assistance, as there is always much more work to be done than they can cope with. This will ensure you keep writing while you are unemployed, and you can add this to your CV. It will introduce more people into your life and one of them may introduce you to your next job opportunity.