How to Become a Better Writer: 7 Proven Practices to Enhance Your Writing Skills

Hey friends! In this blog post, we'll go through some of the best writing techniques you can use to improve your writing skills and become a better writer.

This post will be especially useful to those who are starting in the writing niche.

“Commit to getting good at it. Then do it and practice it. Before you can be great, you have to be good. Before you can be good, you have to be bad. Before you can be bad, you have to try. You have to do something.”

I love this phrase, which I read in Jim Edwards' book “Copywriting Secrets”. It conveys the whole point of becoming great at something.

I started writing long before I became a content writer in earnest in 2020. To be more precise, it was 2011 and my writing was awful. It was CVs when applying for jobs, Facebook posts, and writing blog posts for my friends' websites.

While searching for myself, I gave it up and came back to it in January 2020 when I started blogging for setproduct.com. I worked there as a content writer for 3 years.?

Now I’m a freelance writer. I love writing about digital marketing, business, personal development, and productivity. And I like sharing my knowledge and experience along the way.

Everything this article is about is a combination of deep research and my own experience of being a writer.

So if you are ready, then buckle up, take notes, and apply!

Read a lot

Great writers are great readers, that's for sure. When you read books, not only do you increase your knowledge, but you also practice the concept of 'reading to write'. Each book you read is a new story, new emotions, and interesting, previously unexplored theories.?

If you're going to become a writer, you should start reading a wide variety of literature, both fiction and non-fiction. This will allow you to expand your range and apply different tactics, depending on the genre in which you intend to be self-fulfilling.

Speaking of genre, it goes without saying that you'll have to devote the lion's share of your reading time to the particular literature you want to associate yourself with.

For example, I'm more focused on personal development and marketing, so I like to read non-fiction literature dedicated to these niches.

But if you plan to become an author of some mega-story a la "The Lord of the Rings" or "Harry Potter", then fanatically master the style of John Tolkien and Joan Rowling. It all depends on your ambition.

Here are just a few of the benefits of reading books:

• It increases your focus and vocabulary;
• Reading makes you aware of many writing styles;
• You gain more knowledge and inspiration by reading.
• You can subconsciously pick up syntax, grammar, style, and punctuation via reading.
• Reading develops your critical thinking.

It is also important to have an investor's mindset. By reading books, not only do you get the pleasure of fine writing, but you invest your time in knowledge, which will help you to perfect your craft.

Find Your Perfect Writing Environment

“We live in a world, where the focus is more valuable than even your intelligence”, - Robin Sharma.

So if you want to be an A-player in writing, you need to pay a lot of attention to your environment.

When I talk about finding the perfect environment for writing (or any creative process), I like to think about the Menlo Park Lab. It was Thomas Edison's Sanctum Sanctorum, the research and development facility, where he was experimenting with different ideas. It was a distraction-free place, where he could retreat and work on his projects.

Or here is another example. And it’s more about minimalism. Look at George Bernard Shaw’s workspace:

He kept things straightforward with a typewriter, a plain white desk, and a tiny window in a quiet location.

Here are some tips for creating a perfect writing environment:

1/ Go distraction-free?

Distractions can be a huge obstacle to writing. Your phone should be turned off or put on airplane mode. Unnecessary tabs on your computer should be closed. And your family/colleagues/anyone should know you need some uninterrupted time to write.

2/ Experiment with different locations?

A crowded place might be your environment as well. Try out various places to see which one suits you the best. Consider visiting a coffee shop, library, or even a park. A change of location can occasionally be what you need to get the creative juices flowing. This place must give you power, making you feel comfortable and inspired.

3/ Create a routine?

Establishing a routine can help you get into the writing mindset. Every day set aside a specific time and task (for example, 1-2 hours and 500 words) to write and stick to it. It may take some time to get into the habit, but once you do, you'll find that it becomes easier to focus and write.

4/ Find inspiration?

Surround yourself with things that motivate you. Whether it's a family picture, a piece of art, or a motivational quote. It is much easier to stay focused and motivated if you have something that speaks to you.

Warm Up With Freewriting/Brain Dump

When you're not sure where to start writing, that's okay.?

This is where an exercise like freewriting comes in handy.

Freewriting is a brain dump, a way to write down your thoughts and ideas without constricting them by constantly editing yourself.

As you begin the process of writing, you're engaging your brain through your fingers and immersing yourself in the creative process.

Brain dumping isn't just good for productivity and opening up your brain. When you dump all your thoughts onto a paper/document/voice recorder, it helps to combat anxiety and overthinking.

Your main goal here is to simply let your thoughts flow onto the page, without worrying about how they sound or how they're expressed. Freewriting is not only efficient but also incredibly enjoyable. By letting go of expectations and judgments, you'll find yourself fully immersed in your thoughts and deeply connected to your writing topic.

Ready to dive into freewriting? Here's how:

• Set a timer, so you can focus solely on writing.
• Let the words flow naturally—no judging or evaluating allowed!
• Remember, the practice itself is the real goal here. It doesn't matter if what you write is a masterpiece or a hot mess.

For 10-15 minutes, write non-stop. Keep those fingers dancing on the keyboard or gliding across the page. Just let it all out and keep writing.

Keep in mind that freewriting isn't meant to be the polished final product. It's all about clearing your mind and priming it for the real work ahead.

As you continue to create, your brain will unlock more and more creativity. Trust the process, and you'll eventually find yourself in that magical state of flow.

And that brings us to our next point, which says:

Write First, Edit Later

A state of flow is a mental state where you are completely absorbed in what is happening, experiencing an intense involvement in an activity. You are in the moment, and you don’t notice how time passes.

Recent research has shown that when the human brain is in a state of flow, it experiences heightened electrical brain wave activity.

Having said that, when you write and immediately start editing, you disrupt the natural flow process, which should dictate the direction in which your writing will go.?

You see, the brain perceives writing and editing as distinct tasks. As you toggle between writing and editing modes, you're shifting between your brain's creative and critical aspects. In essence, you're multitasking.

And I have fallen into this trap so many times! ??

All right! You are finally satisfied with your writing. Now it’s time for editing.?

This is the stage when you need to look at your project with fresh eyes. Use the principle of Occam's razor, which is frequently credited to the monk William of Ockham in the 14th century. It says, that the simpler explanation should always be chosen when there are two competing theories for the same phenomenon.

Ruthlessly cut away the excess. You are a sculptor carving a work of art out of stone. And to produce a work of art, you'll need to improve the readability and overall quality.?

That means finding passages that are out of place. Changing some words with synonyms or rephrasing the whole sentences if necessary. Explaining your text where it needs to be explained.

In short, editing takes more effort than writing.

Here is the editing pro tip to supercharge the quality of your written material: TAKE A BREAK.?

I have been practicing this method for a long time and it has never failed. A pause of a few hours (and sometimes a full day) allows me to reboot, look at the material with fresh eyes, and make changes where they are needed.

Also, such a pause is great because you may get new ideas in your head that will work better for some passages in your text.

Also, don't neglect the help of various tools. The Grammarly app and Hemingway editor help me in this case. Grammarly is great for checking your text for spelling and grammatical errors, and the Hemingway app will make your work more readable by simplifying and making it clearer.?

Keep It Readable and Simple

This point can partly be attributed to editing, but I deliberately chose to make it a separate chapter, as the principles outlined below can be applied to any type of content.?

In the past, my main mistake when writing texts was to make them too long and use jargon words. I thought this was the right tactic and my blog posts would explode the tops on Google. Yeah, a naive mistake for aspiring writers.?

It wasn't until some time later when I started to improve my writing skills, that I realized that simpler is better.?

The funny thing is that simplifying content is quite a challenge. Nevertheless, your readers will thank you for a good read. And based on the above, here are 5 main principles for simplicity and readability:?

1/ Use simple language

When you communicate with a person, you don't use any abstruse words. You just keep the conversation going, without trying to impress them with your vocabulary.?

In the same way, you should communicate with your reader when you are writing a text. Stick to the 6th-8th-grade range that all people understand.

Avoid using jargon, buzzwords, or overly complex terms. Instead, opt for simple, everyday language that your readers are likely to be familiar with. Replace phrases like "utilize" with "use" and "ameliorate" with "improve."

Don't make readability difficult. Don't kill your reader's interest.?

2/ Choose short words whenever possible

The word length you select is equally crucial as the sentence length you employ. Utilizing multi-syllabic words can render content harder to comprehend, raising the chances of your readers overlooking your main ideas.

Opting for shorter words is advised since they facilitate a better understanding of your copy for readers.

Instead of “purchase”, use “buy”.

Instead of “remuneration”, use “pay”.?

Instead of “assist”, use “help”.

You get the idea.

3/ Write short sentences and small paragraphs

Use short sentences: strive to maintain sentences below 20 words. This enhances the readability and comprehension of your content by lessening the cognitive burden on readers. Divide lengthy sentences into shorter ones, and remove unnecessary words.

Also, large blocks of text can be intimidating and off-putting to readers. Aim for paragraphs of three to four sentences to make your content more visually appealing and easier to digest.

4/ Polish your writing by telling personal stories, analogies, and metaphors

When refining your writing, it's easy to fall into the trap of removing the very parts that make your story engaging. Resist the urge to cut personal stories just to trim the word count. Doing so may leave you with a sterile, emotionless tale that fails to resonate.

Readers love personal stories, metaphors, and analogies. They sell. They evoke emotions and provide greater value than any statistic or research.?

Why? Because if you experienced it, then others did too. And with experience comes resonance.?

5/ Include headings and subheadings for better transitioning and navigation

Subheadings help to communicate your points at a glance. They also help you present your ideas in small, digestible chunks.?

Most readers nowadays are unlikely to read an extensive text for your key points.

Therefore, you need to help them navigate through your subheadings so that they don’t miss the points you make in the maze of words.

Re-read Your Work (and Do It Out Loud)

(okay, don’t be yelling like this guy ??)

Honestly, at first, I didn't understand the importance of this exercise.?

Yes, reading out loud seems a bit strange, especially when there are people around. But, it is this underestimated method of reviewing your work that will make the difference.?

You are a storyteller and you need to ensure that before you share your story with others, you can validate it yourself as a first reader.?

Here are the main reasons why re-reading your work is an essential part of the writing process.

1/ You’ll catch awkward, unnecessary phrases, or repetition?

When you read your work out loud, you can better identify awkward phrasing, unnecessary words, or repetitive sentences. Hearing the words spoken can make it easier to spot these issues, as it allows you to experience your writing from a different perspective.?

This can lead to more concise and polished writing.

2/ You’ll identify your pace and rhythm

Reading your work out loud can also help you identify the pace and rhythm of your writing. This is particularly important for creative writing, where the flow of your words can have a significant impact on the reader's experience.?

By listening to the rhythm of your sentences, you can make adjustments to improve the overall flow and readability of your work.

3/ You’ll understand the flow of sentences

When you read your work out loud, you can better understand how your sentences flow together. This can help you identify areas where your writing may be unclear or difficult to follow.?

By making these adjustments, you can ensure that your writing is easy for your readers to understand and enjoy.

4/ You’ll make sure the sentence length and structure are proper

Reading your work out loud can also help you identify issues with sentence length and structure. If you find yourself struggling to read a sentence without pausing for breath, it may be too long or poorly structured.?

By adjusting these sentences, you can improve the clarity and readability of your work.

The Best Exercise - Write Every Day For Consistency

I remember the time when I was going to take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam in winter 2021.

I considered my weakest quality to be my writing skills (even though I worked as a content writer for almost 2 years). And it was this module that I placed the most emphasis on in my preparation. I wrote essays every single day. Even on bad days, I forced myself to write at least one essay so that it becomes my second nature.

Bottom line: 7.5 out of 9 points. Not perfect, but also not too bad for a non-native English speaker ??

I gave this example so that you understand how important it is to write every day to start seeing results.

You don't have to write an essay (although if you're studying for an exam it's an absolute must).

It could be a blog post or a short piece on LinkedIn or Twitter. It could even be a letter to yourself 10 years from now or to your children.

The basics will never change: if you want to become better as a writer, then daily writing is the best go-to approach.

Below you’ll find some strategies on how to write every day.

1/ Don't Break the Chain

"Don't Break the Chain" is a pretty cool productivity hack that's all the rage these days. It was developed by Jerry Seinfeld (yep, the comedian), and it's super easy to follow.

Jerry believes that doing something daily turns it into a habit. So, he challenged himself to write at least one joke every day.

After cracking a joke, he'd mark a big checkmark on his wall calendar. And he'd do it again the next day. Soon enough, he had a chain of checkmarks that he didn't want to break.

Jerry once said:

"After a few days, you'll have a chain. Just keep at it, and the chain will grow longer every day. You'll like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is to not break the chain."

As you can see, this method can also be applied to writing daily.

2/ Find Your Word-Count Sweet Spot

Whether you are an aspiring author or a blogger, you must have some global milestones. Something like writing a book or creating a blog post every 3-4 days. When the milestones are defined, you can ask yourself:?

How many words can I realistically write each day?

For me, 500 words is a sweet spot right now. It's doable for everyone. Applying the “Don’t Break the Chain” method and scoring checkmarks for, let’s say, 10 days in a row, you'll have at least 5,000 words under your belt.

That's enough to release two 2,500-word blog posts or compose one juicy chapter for your first book or novel in 10 days.?

Keep it up for 5 months, and boom! You'll have 30 articles for your blog or a 75,000-word book you can sell.

3/ Write at least 30 minutes each day

Try daily 30-minute writing sessions. It's a perfect balance: not too long that it feels like a chore, and not too short that you barely make a dent.

In just half an hour, you can crank out ~300-500 words. And let's be honest, we can all find a sneaky 30 minutes in our busy days, right?

Conclusion

Friends, writing is and will always be one of the most important and top skills out there. It is a rewarding endeavor that transcends the boundaries of any profession - from business to science, and from education to the arts.?

By honing your writing skills, you not only enhance your ability to convey your thoughts, but also open doors to countless opportunities.

So, whether you're crafting a compelling proposal, penning your next literary masterpiece, or simply striving to communicate more effectively in your daily life, investing time and effort in refining your writing skills will undoubtedly yield significant benefits.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope it has inspired and equipped you with valuable insights to propel your career forward.

Consider subscribing to get more valuable content like this. I write about personal development, marketing, business, and, yep, writing itself ????

See you soon and happy writing!

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