You want to be the very best writer you can be. It’s hard work, we all know that. It is important to know that it is not impossible work though. If your writing has just been trundling along, flat and uninspired, here are some tips to help take it to new levels.
Nine and a half ways
- Write every day. It does not matter what you write, just do it. If it something you feel impassioned about then all the better. Like any other thing that is worthwhile, practice will make it better
- Learn your grammar and spelling. Get a copy of The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
Google “grammar tips” and see what sites are out there (there are plenty of them). Use the spell check function. - Proof your work. Read it out loud for voice and style. Read it backwards to check for errors. Have a trusted friend proof it for you.
- Take a class. Think about how much fun it could be to have assignments given to you rather than you having to think of topics all of the time. Classrooms are also great places to meet like minded folk.
- Find a mentor. One on one mentoring can be a great way to identify strengths and weaknesses in your writing. An objective mentor can also provide the motivation to keep moving forward. I recommend Milli Thornton.
- Start or find a writing group. This one takes a lot more work but in the end it could all be worth it. Writing groups can be empowering and motivating.
- Do a bite-sized project. Consider something that you are very passionate about and write a small E-book. Don’t kill yourself doing it, make it manageable. Your goal is to have something completed.
- Read. A lot. Writers read, and with good reason. Reading helps you to find your voice. It also gives you great ideas for what works and what doesn’t. It’s also highly encouraging – hey, if they wrote a book then I can too!
- Join a writing forum. There are a lot of them out there. Spend time looking through the discussion groups and see if it is the kind of community you would like to join. It’s a great way to get advice and connect with other writers.
Half. Subscribe to the RSS feed here. Ok, the jury is still out as to whether this will shoot your writing straight up, but I had to come up with something for the “half”!
I hope this tips are helpful to you. Any thoughts?
Excellent post George. As always it makes perfect sense. I love number 8 but just remember not to spend all your time reading or you get no writing done (one of my downfalls
).
Amanda
Hi Amanda.
Wow is that ever a good point. And we me working in a Library now, I need to learn a bit of self control!
George
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I love these tips, George. Number seven stands out to me because I have so many E-book ideas on the back burner. *sigh* I should just start one, even if it doesn’t end up being very long…
And I love the “half” – you’re such a hoot! It’s why I adore coming here. I’m never bored. I’m always, always surprised. I smile. I laugh. I learn. I’m inspired.
You’re the bestest, George!!!
*smiles*
Michele
.-= Michele | Writer’s Round-About´s last blog ..Writers Are Superheroes =-.
Thanks Michele!
I can always count on you for a boost!
That’s the point I was making with #7! It doesn’t have to be huge, fancy or perfect. It just needs to *be*.
Let me know if I can help!
George
Aw!
You’re welcome–and thank you, George!! I’ll have to try to start focusing in on that E-book thing with just ONE idea and get at it.
I’ll let ya know, thanks!
.-= Michele | Writer’s Round-About´s last blog ..Writers Are Superheroes =-.
Thank you for those wonderful and practical tips. Everyday I wish I was a better and faster writer. I do write in a few blogs. Writing a short novel or ebook would be a dream come true!
I will follow some of your tips and see how I improve
.-= Anto´s last blog ..One Fullerton – Singapore =-.
And I’ll bet it will be awesome, Mr. Anto.
Look forward to seeing you in the future.
George
> Learn your grammar and spelling.
BTW, on this topic, there is a good spell check program Spell Check Anywhere (SpellCheckAnywhere.Com). It works in all programs.
Hi Tomer!
Thanks for the tip. I’ll go check it out as well!
George
Good advice – thanks for the post.
But Strunk and White (The Elements of Style) are perhaps not the best grammar teachers. Here’s an NPR story on the recent 50th anniversary of publication: -
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103171738
And the article referenced there: -
http://chronicle.com/free/v55/i32/32b01501.htm
Perhaps better advice would be to read the Language Log on Prescriptivist Poppycock.
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=1369
Hey DHI,
Thanks for the tips, I’ll go have a look. I do agree that S&W may not be the best teacher of grammar. I do find it a helpful reference when I’m stuck, though.
Cheers!
George
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Nice article, but I thought you missed out some key ideas in this. Forgive, the impertinence, by the way, I’ve scoured your site and thought it was a nice read all in all.
Firstly, why write an e-book? What advantages does an e-book offer over conventional hard copy (apart from ease of publication)?
Secondly, how do you go about writing an e-book? What do you need an is the drafting process any easier?
I’ve considered writing one myself, I am a writer and a teacher, and I think an e-book would be a great thing for my students to help them with their learning.
If you have a chance to reply to these questions, I hope that you can fill in the gaps, so to speak, it seems a great way of writing something that is achievable.
Thanks.
Hi Emil,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
Okay, to answer your first question, ease of publication is really a primary motivating factor for writing an ebook. A few weeks of work can produce an ebook that is immediately deliverable to the masses. It can be sold to make a little money, or it can be used as a tool to help build the blogs subscriber base.
In terms of how to go about it, there are any number of avenues. Certainly the primary step is writing the book in any word processing program. I prefer Open Office because I can one click convert the file to .pdf. which is fairly standard for an ebook format. Alternatively, there are great sites like Smashwords.com whcih will convert your document into all of the standard ebook formats.
If you would like more info or guidance, feel free to email me george@tumblemoose.com
Cheers!
George