Everyone has a different view and a different opinion on what it takes to become a better writer. But at the end of the day, does it really matter that your opinions or views differs from theirs? No, absolutely not. My personal opinion of a 'better writer' is a writer who is completely satisfied and confident in their work, someone who has shown struggle but also progress throughout their work. Do I believe that people can become 'better writers'? Yes, 100% yes. Becoming a better writer doesn't just take time but experience. Writers need the experience of writing the first shitty draft, to get those initial feelings and thoughts down, and feeling content with their work. But what comes next is the progress you will see in those writers to gain their confidence and their strength as a writer. After writing the first draft, go back through it with a fine tooth comb, ask a friend, a relative, or even a peer or colleague to read over it. A new set of eyes is always a great thing. You have typed and deleted and typed again and this view on your paper is so engraved in your mind that you see it only one way. This fresh look at your paper can open up new ideas for you to expand or spice up your writing.
I believe anyone can become a better writer with these six simple and easy steps:
1. Brainstorm- It sounds silly, doesn't it? But brainstorming is the best way to jot all your thoughts and feelings down in the most organize chaotic way. Take a piece of computer paper and start with your topics or main points of interest and follow from there. Everything will start to come naturally once you get the ball rolling. Don't be afraid to write something down because it sounds silly or foolish, write it anyway!
2. Believe in your first shitty draft- Sure, it's not going to be something you will see in the New York Times but it is SOMETHING. Remind yourself that this is just the start. Don't start freaking out because you rambled on, embrace that for the moment. There's a reason it is called the first draft!
3. Reread, delete, repeat- Reread your first draft, delete the things you feel are not necessary, and reread again. It is always a great thing to reread your writing after making adjustments because maybe you'll realize that the sentence you deleted, just might work now because of something else you got rid of. Or maybe you see a sentence that needs to be reworded to make the piece flow better. Don't look down on your writing throughout doing this, look at this as another step towards making yourself a better writer.
4. Have someone look over your work- Yes, it is going to feel uncomfortable because what if they don't like it or what if they do like it but they critique the whole thing? The best way to better ourselves as writers is to get feedback from an outsiders perspective, after all we are writing for an audience, right?
5. Use the criticism and critique to your advantage and rewrite again- Maybe your mom was a little harsh when she said it needed more work but you will thank her for that in the long run. Don't look at the criticism as a bad thing, look at it as a way to progress. Sit down and ask her for specific details of your work, perhaps one part was a little wish washy and hard to follow. Ask for suggestions and any advice they can offer. Take this and get back to writing. Use these suggestions to fix those areas.
6. PUBLISH YOUR WORK- The best way to better yourself as a writer is to just put it out there. Publish your work on a website or in a magazine and wait for the feedback. You may get awesome reviews from people who absolutely loved it and you may get reviews of people who hated it. But again, don't let that get you down. Your audience will range from men to female, young to older, they will be of different ethnicities and have different views but this is what is most important about putting your work out there. You are writing for your audience, take their feedback with stride and use it for your next work. You will gain much more experience and knowledge of your writing through this.
I believe anyone can become a better writer with these six simple and easy steps:
1. Brainstorm- It sounds silly, doesn't it? But brainstorming is the best way to jot all your thoughts and feelings down in the most organize chaotic way. Take a piece of computer paper and start with your topics or main points of interest and follow from there. Everything will start to come naturally once you get the ball rolling. Don't be afraid to write something down because it sounds silly or foolish, write it anyway!
2. Believe in your first shitty draft- Sure, it's not going to be something you will see in the New York Times but it is SOMETHING. Remind yourself that this is just the start. Don't start freaking out because you rambled on, embrace that for the moment. There's a reason it is called the first draft!
3. Reread, delete, repeat- Reread your first draft, delete the things you feel are not necessary, and reread again. It is always a great thing to reread your writing after making adjustments because maybe you'll realize that the sentence you deleted, just might work now because of something else you got rid of. Or maybe you see a sentence that needs to be reworded to make the piece flow better. Don't look down on your writing throughout doing this, look at this as another step towards making yourself a better writer.
4. Have someone look over your work- Yes, it is going to feel uncomfortable because what if they don't like it or what if they do like it but they critique the whole thing? The best way to better ourselves as writers is to get feedback from an outsiders perspective, after all we are writing for an audience, right?
5. Use the criticism and critique to your advantage and rewrite again- Maybe your mom was a little harsh when she said it needed more work but you will thank her for that in the long run. Don't look at the criticism as a bad thing, look at it as a way to progress. Sit down and ask her for specific details of your work, perhaps one part was a little wish washy and hard to follow. Ask for suggestions and any advice they can offer. Take this and get back to writing. Use these suggestions to fix those areas.
6. PUBLISH YOUR WORK- The best way to better yourself as a writer is to just put it out there. Publish your work on a website or in a magazine and wait for the feedback. You may get awesome reviews from people who absolutely loved it and you may get reviews of people who hated it. But again, don't let that get you down. Your audience will range from men to female, young to older, they will be of different ethnicities and have different views but this is what is most important about putting your work out there. You are writing for your audience, take their feedback with stride and use it for your next work. You will gain much more experience and knowledge of your writing through this.