Writing is not just an art but a craft too. A craft can be learned and writing is no different in that there are many writing skills that can be learned. Imagination and good ideas are important but they are not enough. Other qualities are needed to produce work of a high standard such as discipline and perseverance. It is difficult to teach anyone how to write quality fiction but most writers are able to significantly improve their writing by devoting time and attention to their craft.
Learning from the best writers is part of the process of improving your own writing. Reading widely is important to understanding what makes a good plot, believable characters and more. Another good idea is to read aloud what you have written. Do the sentences flow and sound natural? If a sentence is too convoluted, you will pick this up immediately. Simple is often better and too many adjectives detract rather than enhance.
In order to produce your best work, you need to be protective of your time and space. Be ruthless with any time wasting activities. Writing requires setting yourself apart and this often requires some sacrifice. The results of devoting your time to your writing will be evident in the results.
It is one thing to have a good idea for a book. It is quite another to actually sit down and consistently write page after page. Many of the best authors stick to strict writing schedules in order to do this. They know that unless they do this, they will not be successful. Many of them do a number of rewrites until they are satisfied.
Listening to the suggestions and positive criticisms of others can do a great deal to improve your writing. Other people in a writing group or workshop are there to hear what you have written and give you valuable feedback. It may be difficult to expose your work to others for fear of harsh criticism but remember that the intention is to help you improve.
Most writers are very observant people. They are constantly examining what is around them and it helps to carry a notebook wherever you go so these observations can be recorded. Impressions and thoughts need to be recorded as they are often fleeting and disappear as quickly as they come. The best authors have learned how to show rather than tell in their writing and these observations can help you do this.
Most successful writers have the quality of persistence. This is important as writers have to persevere despite discouragement and rejection. Even successful writers admit to having times of self-doubt and when you are facing this you need to be able to push beyond it. Take courage from the fact that many excellent authors suffered a number of rejections before becoming recognized.
In the process of perfecting your writing, you may be faced with many obstacles. However, with dedication and hard work, most people can improve their writing a great deal. Get input from others, read widely, hone your skills and you may be surprised at the level of work you can produce. Some sacrifice is required but the results will be worthwhile.
Learning from the best writers is part of the process of improving your own writing. Reading widely is important to understanding what makes a good plot, believable characters and more. Another good idea is to read aloud what you have written. Do the sentences flow and sound natural? If a sentence is too convoluted, you will pick this up immediately. Simple is often better and too many adjectives detract rather than enhance.
In order to produce your best work, you need to be protective of your time and space. Be ruthless with any time wasting activities. Writing requires setting yourself apart and this often requires some sacrifice. The results of devoting your time to your writing will be evident in the results.
It is one thing to have a good idea for a book. It is quite another to actually sit down and consistently write page after page. Many of the best authors stick to strict writing schedules in order to do this. They know that unless they do this, they will not be successful. Many of them do a number of rewrites until they are satisfied.
Listening to the suggestions and positive criticisms of others can do a great deal to improve your writing. Other people in a writing group or workshop are there to hear what you have written and give you valuable feedback. It may be difficult to expose your work to others for fear of harsh criticism but remember that the intention is to help you improve.
Most writers are very observant people. They are constantly examining what is around them and it helps to carry a notebook wherever you go so these observations can be recorded. Impressions and thoughts need to be recorded as they are often fleeting and disappear as quickly as they come. The best authors have learned how to show rather than tell in their writing and these observations can help you do this.
Most successful writers have the quality of persistence. This is important as writers have to persevere despite discouragement and rejection. Even successful writers admit to having times of self-doubt and when you are facing this you need to be able to push beyond it. Take courage from the fact that many excellent authors suffered a number of rejections before becoming recognized.
In the process of perfecting your writing, you may be faced with many obstacles. However, with dedication and hard work, most people can improve their writing a great deal. Get input from others, read widely, hone your skills and you may be surprised at the level of work you can produce. Some sacrifice is required but the results will be worthwhile.
