3 WAYS TO LEARN HOW TO WRITE

Writing is a natural ability, yes? We’ve had this conversation a zillion times across different platforms and I think one of the resolutions we came to is that some folks are naturally endowed with writing as a form of expression. Just like some folks can just draw, sing, do sports, some folks can just write. They didn’t do anything to earn their writing gifts. I call them talented writers – they naturally gravitate towards words.

There are other categories of writers though. Those interested in writing and who are writing because of that interest. Writing might not come to these folks as easily as it does to talented writers but they can succeed at writing too if they give themselves to the discipline to learn the art.

I believe in the power of the human mind.

I’ve read stories of different writers who couldn’t even read or write for a long time enjoyed being read to and listening to stories but once they picked up how to read and write, they were just unstoppable. I believe there’s nothing a person wants to learn that they can’t. I have seen some weird inventions, campaigns, movements and initiatives and behind most of them are people who just had an unsettling to learn how to do something differently.

It’s true that the impossible is the untried.

Maybe you are this kind of writer –you want to learn how to write. You want to become so competent in writing that you can simply, creatively and effectively communicate your thoughts, stories and your light to the entire world and you know the world would only pause to listen if you deliver great work. You are ready to do whatever it takes – read as much as you can, work as hard as you can, learn as much as you can and try as hard as you can.

This interest is unflinching. Your desire to be a writer is unwavering and I think you’re on the right path. I want to share with you three tips to get started or to continue your journey:

• READ & STUDY: A good way to learn how to write is to read. There are a few ways to read to learn how to write. These are a few secrets:
• Pick up topics/subjects that interests you and read them. This way, you are consuming for enjoyment and enlightenment. Just put your feet up and enjoy it. If the writing seemed like flawless; if your mind was opened to the possibility of a new world; that’s a great read. Once you’re done reading, go through it again to study the principles the writer obeyed. Look at how they make analogies, how they drive home a point, how they introduce a point, how they paragraph, how they punctuate, how they use words, how they conclude their sentences or paragraphs and how they reveal their points.
• Read books on writing and writing elements. You'll get to see how some rules are obeyed and you'll also learn how to break them.

• WRITE: The best and fastest way to learn how to be a writer is to write. Writing is very close to speaking, you know? Public speakers are trained orators – they weren’t born that way. They had to learn the rules of communication, how to read a room, non-verbal cues; etc. They learnt all these by speaking and writing. You want to improve your writing? Write. You can’t wait till your writing is better before you start to write because you wouldn’t be able to measure the improvements; there’s no standard of comparison. So, dear writer, write today, write tomorrow, write again and again, write till you can’t anymore. Write till you know you have consistently put your hands where your heart is leading. Write, rewrite, edit.

• LEARN: You can never go wrong with learning how to write. Writing and reading aren’t the only thing to do to improve your writing. You have to learn you know? Some writers have been where you are and they have made preparations to share the tips and tricks you need. They have learnt the rules and they can teach you. There are so many courses online to learn how to be a writer. You just need to find the one that matches your needs and go for it. I’ll suggest the Writer’s Lab because it was curated by me. I know your need and I’ve put all the things you’d consider a successful writing life together into the course. At the Writer’s Lab, you’ll learn the fundamentals of writing, the complexities of writing in the modern world, niching, accountability, establishing systems and the business of writing in the gig economy.

I have written a few articles here on LinkedIn and on Medium. I get asked a lot how to write or how to improve writing skills and my advice today is to join the Writer’s Lab.