Become a better writer: Tips to take your writing to the next level

By: Jane Landry, Editor.

Whether it is crafting a concise email to a colleague, constructing a request for proposal, or preparing a thoughtful cover letter, writing is an essential skill.

However, a common misconception about writing is that some people are inherently “good” at it and others are not. The truth is, like any skill, writing is a learned art that evolves constantly.

Viewing writing as a skill means that anyone can become a better writer. Gone are the days of hearing, “they are such a good writer, I wish I could write like them.” Even the most well-known authors continuously advance their writing skills and learn along the way. 

Below are a few tips, that when implemented over a period of time, result in big results for your writing quality and writer-confidence.

Practice, practice, practice

Strong writing that flows seamlessly and explains concepts well develops over time. One of the best ways to strengthen writing skills is to simply practice writing.

Journaling is a great place to start. Writing about something you learned or how your day went is practicing. If you struggle with knowing what to write, there are endless journal prompts online to choose from.

Bonus tip: Often, it is not the writing part that is hard, but the act of finding time or remembering to practice. To combat this barrier, try committing to writing a journal entry two days a week and see how you make out.

Learn from authors

As is the case for any skill, there is no need to re-invent the wheel. Be open to learning from pros who have formed and are expanding their skills.  

Reading pieces of writing from various authors allows you to see how they write, enabling you to notice the aspects of their writing that make the piece well-written. It is equally as important to read different forms of writing, such as persuasive works (i.e., an opinion column) and narrative works (i.e., a non-fiction novel).

Bonus tip: Take time out of your day to actively read news articles that interest you. Furthermore, reading one book a month can help to keep you learning from diverse authors.

Read your work aloud

One of the quickest and easiest ways to catch mistakes in your writing is to read your work aloud.

The act of reading your work aloud allows you to hear how the words flow and if the ideas make sense.

Bonus tip: Read your work aloud to someone else so that there is more than one person who can effortlessly spot trouble areas.

Write about what interests you

Writing becomes more enjoyable when the topic is of interest to the writer. Although there may be times when a writer cannot choose what to write about, it is always helpful to know what one is interested in.

For example, for university courses where an essay is a requirement, try your best (if you have the option) to choose a topic that you are genuinely curious about. You will find that an interesting topic paves the way for a less stressful and more engaging writing experience.

By knowing what interests you as a writer, you are more suited to choose to write about what you like and avoid topics you do not like. Additionally, being aware of your interests allows you to specialize and niche your writing skills.

Bonus tip: Find a way to become more self-aware. One option could be to brainstorm what you value and what grabs your attention so that you have a starting point in establishing the types of things that interest you. Once you have some ideas, look for – or create – opportunities to explore. For example, if you are passionate about cooking, you could read lifestyle blogs and practice writing pieces such as how-tos for that type of audience.

By practicing writing, learning from authors, reading aloud, and writing about what you are interested in, you are strengthening and expanding your writing skills. You do not have to implement these tips all at once. Simply incorporating one tip will do great wonders for your writing that will prove successful over time.

It is through consistent little acts, such as reading aloud, that result in big results. Find what works for you and own it, because exceptional writing skills will serve you well in life.