A lot of writers are confronted with the question: “How Can I Become A Better Writer?”.
They don't usually
like my answer. "Practice writing every day and read to study the writing
of others every day."
They don't like the
answer for one of two reasons usually. Some people are looking for some quick
fix, magic formula that will make them a good writer in three easy steps.
Although my suggestion involves only two steps it is pretty obvious that it is
a long-term project. The other group of people will sneer at the first because
they consider themselves "real writers" but they don't like the
answer any more than the others. They believe they have a gift that simply
needs to be unlocked by the magic key that published, successful writers
possess.
The simple truth is
that there is no way to improve your writing other than to continually practice
your craft. Write every day. Experiment, plan, revise, and revisit. Make
challenges, deadlines, and competitions. Push yourself and your writing will
reward you. Write something inspired by a writer you admire and then write
something completely your own.
However, it is not
enough to simply write in a vacuum -- or an ivory tower. You must also read the
writing of others. Read far and wide. Read fiction, nonfiction, scientific publishing’s,
poetry and song lyrics. Read argument and persuasion, read informative and
biographical, read science and fantasy. Read talented and skilled professionals
and read those who are still finding their writing feet.
You are reading to
gain inspiration and confidence. You are reading to build your vocabulary and
your stockpile of writing tricks. You are reading to learn more about the
rhythms and patterns of language. You are reading so that as you write you will
be able to develop your own unique voice.
Learning to be a
better writer is not the work of a weekend or even a semester. Learning to be a
better writer is a life's work. If you really are a writer then you will never
consider your work done. I don't know a professional writer who sits back and
says "I'm done learning now, I'm as good as I'm going to get". Certainly,
it need not take a lifetime to reach professional status but you shouldn't make
that your goal. Thinking in those terms can hold you back from becoming the
best writer you can be.
For example,
perhaps the reason your particular project was rejected had nothing at all to
do with your writing but was in fact due to your topic, the particular needs of
that publisher, or even the mood of the editor when your submission came across
their desk. The truth is that you cannot control when you become a published,
professional writer, but you can control your progress toward improving your
writing. The stronger your writing becomes then the easier it will be to
achieve that other goal. When you reach the point that you regularly deliver
quality writing then you will find a market.
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