Tips for Improving Your Writing Skills Articles | Writing

By: Matthew Hick

No matter how many times you’ve been published … or how much money you’ve made as a professional writer, there’s always some new trick or method to learn that will make you better at it. Unfortunately, too many writers (both professional and amateur) assume that because they have a story to tell, they also know how to do it! Wrong! All-too-often, a writer without a basic knowledge of the genre they are working in can actually take a good story and kill it before it has a chance at publication. How can you be sure that your writing skills are up to par with others you’re work is competing with?

Here are a few places to start: 

• Take a Grammar Refresher. Once you’ve been writing awhile – especially in the conversational magazine and website market – you may begin to forget some of the basic grammar rules you learned in school. While it’s true that a publication’s style and format may often forgo such formal writing, it’s always a good idea to stay fresh on the real rules to make your writing clear and correct.
• Read, Read, Read. Reading good quality fiction and non-fiction can be a wonderful way to improve your own writing by showing you the correct way to string words together. Stay away from fluff pieces as much as possible and concentrate on reading the classics, as well as a variety of writing how-to books aimed at teaching you how to improve your writing skills.
• Join A Writer’s Critiquing Group. Everyone loves to find things wrong with another’s work (it’s good for our own egos), so writers who lack skill will quickly find that others in a critiquing group are quick to point out their flaws. Just be sure the group you choose is full of writers who actually know what they’re doing – and are good at it – in order to learn the most.
• Take an Online Writer’s Course. Can’t handle face-to- face rejection? Join an online writer’s course geared at basic skill development that offers a mentoring program that’ll both teach you the writing skills you need, as well as offer inspiration and motivation to keep at it.
• Ask For Help. Aren’t sure where to turn? Talk to a local school teacher; writing coach; friend; librarian; or even an online writer’s forum for help. There are many types of training and review courses listed online. Some are actually free! The key to success is to access your skill level and get the help you need to improve.