Want to be a better writer? Here’s how:
- Read all you can of other writers—classic and new books. We learn how to write through reading.
- Start writing and keep writing, no matter what. We learn to be good writers through practice.
- Write about what you are passionate about. Choose your subject for yourself. If you care about it, your writing will engage readers.
- Bring a piece of yourself to everything you write. Your experiences and your interpretations make your writing unique.
- Observe people wherever you go. A writer is constantly gathering material. Even a difficult experience can be useful. I’ve been in trying circumstances and said to myself, “Maybe I can write about this later.”
- Observe yourself—your reactions and your sensory experiences. How does that apple taste? What does your body do when you are angry? These experiences can be used to enrich your writing.
- To create believable characters, get to know them better than you know your family and friends. When you can hear your characters talking to you, you’re into your characters.
- Give your villains good qualities and your heroes flaws. Create well-rounded characters that you care about in some way, so your readers can care about them, too.
- Show who your characters are through action, dialogue, and inner thoughts.
- When writing a story, ask yourself: What is this story about? Write it in one sentence. This focuses your story and brings you clarity.