10 Ways That Anyone Can Become a Better Writer
Anyone who has a blog would like to be an even better write I believe. Fact is that we all could be. If we would just adhere to a few basic rules when it comes to writing. Rules that show the way to becoming better writers in general and not just when it comes to blogging. At least the adults among us should have learned to write well a long time ago. The sad fact is however that writing is undervalued and looked upon as merely a tool that you may have to master, but don’t necessarily have to be a master at. What follows will not only help you write better blog posts, but also write better in general as it helps you reflect about what you want to communicate and then actually explain it so that everyone can understand it.
1. Take Your Time (or Don’t)
Generally is it not a good idea to write spontaneously or just before the deadline. I know that some people say that is the only way that they get anything written, but I would say that that this is a misconception. Some of the best writing that I have produced is where I took my time to think about it, then wrote more drafts and finally polished it up before posting it. Another factor is the whole preparation phase where you go from a loose idea or concept to the actual perception of what to write about and how. Again, there is a definite advantage when letting things take the time they take. There is a fine line between taking your time and procrastinating though so be careful not to fall in that trap. For those who like rushing things or find that stress and pressure works better I would say that you should indeed do what works for you. Just don’t come to me when your work is full of mistakes or you burn out at some point because it all got to much.
2. Think then Write and Vice Versa
While I do love being spontaneous and believe that some of my wittiest comments were those came out of nowhere there is much to be said about thinking before speaking. The same goes double for writing as mistakes and lack of clarity is much more obvious in writing where the opportunity to correct misconceptions etc. instantly is also missing. Part of thinking is also planning what you actually want to write about and how you best structure it. Whether you make an outline or merely list the points you intend to cover will it help you when you actually start writing. That being said do I sometimes simply start writing and only as I get into a flow do I see where it leads or at least where it could lead.
3. Consider Your Sources and Argumentation
Regardless what you write should you consider carefully who you base your writing on, who you quote and what you link to. Your work is only as solid as the ground it stands on. Especially if you aim at writing something profound or something critical should you really check and consider everything at least twice. Even the most brilliant arguments becomes perfectly ridiculous and meaningless if based on the wrong premises. The playwright Holberg in “Erasmus Montanus” illustrates this perfectly. The main character aims to demonstrate how academic logic works as he declares that since stones cannot fly and his mother can’t either she must be a stone. Only as she breaks out in tears does he come to her rescue by declaring that since she can speak and stones cannot then she is not a stone after all.
4. Don’t Start With the Beginning
Most of us loves the stories that starts with “once upon a time”, but in fact a lot can be said for starting more towards the middle. Some even argue you start with the end and then work backwards to the start. Fact is that we often use the introduction to warm us and the reader up for what comes. Only how much warm up do you actually need when writing about relatively well known subjects? You certainly don’t have to start with Adam and Eve every time just as too much warming up may just get the reader too tired to actually pay attention when the actual exercise begins. If you do start with the beginning try keeping it short and pointing clearly to what follows.
5. Write Drafts, Not Final Copy
This is harder as it sounds. At least it is for me. Being used to seeing my writing as it will almost look when published I cannot help considering it almost finished the second I type the words. Considering what you write a draft is more about flow though. Writing freely knowing you can always correct it later. That you can always edit out what needn’t be there and add what is missing. Still, you should make sure that you are not simply rambling, but that it also makes sense when you pull it out again. Admittedly I have been able to produce drafts that I just couldn’t make sense of when reading them the day after. Being able to jump back and forth and writing something short when nothing comes to mind while writing more on the points where you feel inspired does have it’s advantages though.
6. Rest It, then Proofread
Everyone agrees that you should proofread what you wrote before publishing it. Some believe in letting others read it and maybe even edit it, but since I write in solitude and about things that no one close to me cares about or know enough about to provide feedback do I have to rely on myself as editor as well. Instead of bouncing it up against someone else do I use time to my advantage. What I write today will I look at differently tomorrow. I will have time to free myself of it while still letting some of it occupy my unconscious. The first will allow me to see most of the mistakes while the latter will most likely enable me to add something to what I already wrote. Simply writing and publishing should be done only when there is really no other way or if the time factor is more important than everything else.
7. Be Original, Don’t Just Copy or Rehash
If you take the time writing something and not least publish it under your own name on your blog then the least you can do is making sure it is original. Completely avoid that it resembles something already published may not be possible, but the more of you that shines through the more unique is it likely to be. If you to do quote someone or lift phrases from other sites etc. then at least have the courtesy of admitting it. There is nothing wrong with being inspired by someone else, using their data or summarizing their arguments. Just make sure everyone knows that is what you are doing. Depending on what kind of post you write is it generally a bad idea having more content from other people in your posts than from yourself. Again, think about point of posting and edit if necessary.
8. Select Advice Carefully
I am not any more of an expert than you are when it comes to your writing. The same goes for practically every piece of advice that you can find on the internet. It is almost all well meant and some it is pure genius. Still is it not perfect for everyone. You have to find what works and discard what doesn’t. I am telling you what works for me and a lot of others judging from the points that are repeated, but that still doesn’t mean it fits you perfectly. A perfect illustration is the discussion about posting length and frequency that I see going into the next millennium as well as it just doesn’t make sense trying to find a perfect answer to questions like that. In fact does it not even make much sense asking the question to begin with if you ask me.
9. Have a Point and Make It
If you have no point to make there would be no point writing to begin with so I will assume you have one. Having a point and making it is two different things however. I have seen countless example of people who obviously had something at heart missing the opportunity of getting it off their chest in a fashion that everyone could understand. Not that you always have to write for everyone. I don’t either, but I do try to write for the one reading and so should you. Part of having a point and trying to make it is revising your writing when you are almost done. Just as you before you even start to write reflect about what you want to communicate do you thus have to check if you actually did when finishing writing.
10. Contribute Something, but Not Just Anything
Countless times have I thought about writing about particular topics or in particular ways only to dump the idea when thinking about it again. It may have ended up being great and well written and all, but since I though it lacked any kind of novelty I dropped it. Not that everything posted have to be Pulitzer price material or set you up for the Nobel prize in literature mind you. Still do I think it is worth thinking about what it contributes. If it changes anything or anyone. Just the slightest. And for the better. When I saw the list of the most visited blogs I was appalled about some of them. Not only is it debatable if they contribute anything at all. In fact is it more likely that they take something away from those reading them. Even if it just is the time wasted reading them do I think that is bad enough. I certainly don’t want to waste anyones time and I don’t want you wasting my time either.
As you may have noticed do I keep my advice general and do not go into a lot of detail. Still do I think it is clear what I mean. When I avoid going into more detail is it because I consider this more of a mind set than a concrete set of rules that should be followed rigidly. We have different purposes and backgrounds just as we have different goals and aspirations. What most of us do have in common is wanting to do the best we can under the circumstances though and that is where this advice hopefully can help you. You may still have problems with the grammatical aspects and make use of a limited vocabulary, but if you keep these things in mind when you write do I still claim that you will be a better writer for it. And the world needs better writers, not just more of them.
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5 Responses to “10 Ways That Anyone Can Become a Better Writer”
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I think the more I write the better I get at it. Practicing has helped me find my own style and the steps I take to produce the article itself. That in turns gives me more confidence for the next time I write. So keep writing.
Practice makes perfect! Or so to speak…
Thanks for this post. I need to follow rules like this more closely. I have written some bad posts in the past when I just wnated to put somehting new on my blog.
Thanks for this post. I need to follow rules like this more closely. I have written some bad posts in the past when I just wanted to put something new on my blog.
#11 Read lots of blogs on your topic, not only to help you get familiar with others writing, but to get ideas for topics, and to contribute to current topics.
#12 I like to write blog posts as they come to me, or even just a title for one, then save them for weeks, or even months at a time for those times when my bloggers block kicks in.
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