The title of this blog post is a bit of a nebulous statement given the fact that we’re all kind of on different levels so what exactly does it mean to improve your writing? Well in some cases if you’re more novice it can be as simple as learning grammar and usage.
We’ll be going over more broad terms that can help pretty much any writer at any level. I myself am always looking to improve my writing and I always will be, and you should too!
A lot of these are things you should be thinking about in your drafting level however you can also apply them when editing so don’t worry if they’re missed.
- Learn your weakness
- Seek inspiration from your favorite writers
- Don’t overuse adjectives or adverbs
- Avoid writing purple prose
- Don’t info dump
Ok let’s jump in:
1. Learn Your Weaknesses
It’s important to know where you’re lacking so that you can focus on improving in those areas. This way you can seek out specific resources for those specific things to target those weak areas.
One way to identify your weak points is to read other people’s writing that you enjoy and see what they’re doing that you’re not. Another way and probably the most popular way, is to get feedback. This can be from beta readers, critique partners, your agent or editor, and even reviews if you’ve already been published. (Note: Not all reviews will be helpful some people really are just haters!”
Make sure when getting feedback you don’t take it personally and get upset. The people giving you feedback should have your best interest and are only trying to help you out.
2. Seek Inspiration From Your Favorite Writers
One of the best ways to learn to write better is to read. It’s best if you read in the genre you love writing in which usually go hand in hand. Maybe you want to learn how to improve dialogue tags. You may find an author who really emulates what you’re looking for such as using more action tags etc…
Now this doesn’t mean copying anyone but more so seeking inspiration. After all, writing is creative so no matter what you’ll most likely adapt your own version of some technique.
Reading will expose you to different writing styles, tones, and voices. Each author brings their own unique edge so pay attention to sentence structure, pacing, and the use of language. Reading will also expose you to a rich and varied vocabulary. Make it a habit to note unfamiliar words and try using them in your own writing. Just make sure you understand how to use that word properly.
If you have trouble keeping a solid reading schedule or just sticking to reading goals in general then check out our blog on how to set better reading goals.
3. Don’t overuse adjectives or adverbs
This is a common pitfall for novice writers so it’s important to be mindful of this. Now this doesn’t mean don’t use this at all, these words can enhance writing and provide necessary detail however their excessive use can lead to multiple issues.
When every noun or verb is accompanied by an adjective or adverb it diminishes the impact of the descriptive word. This can also make your writing sound weak and diluted. Try focusing on nouns and verbs that inherently carry meaning.
Relying on these adjectives and adverbs can turn into telling rather than showing. Now telling isn’t always bad but it’s typically not as immersive. Use vivid and descriptive details to paint an image for the reader allowing them to experience the story more deeply.
Look at your work on a sentence-by-sentence basis and really ask yourself can I write this better?
4. Avoid writing purple prose
Purple prose refers to overly elaborate, flowery, or ornate writing that draws attention to itself, often at the expense of clarity and meaning. While having great descriptions is essential, these types of prose can actually distract the reader and come off as pretentious or melodramatic.
Try to choose words that can convey meaning without using unnecessary embellishments. It’s a balance between evocative descriptions and straightforward language.
On the note of language, it’s important to remember who’s talking in the story. If it’s a first-person narrative from a child’s point of view then their language and understanding of the world will be much different than that of an adult and your writing should reflect that.
You may feel that over-detailing is necessary to be a good writer but I would argue that being able to convey emotions in a few words is far more impressive than long drawn-out prose.
5. Avoid info dumping
Info dumping is when you give a significant amount of background information or detail to the reader in a condensed and often overwhelming manner. This can disrupt the flow of the novel and distract your readers with useless information that they’ll probably end up forgetting.
You may feel compelled to share every detail of your characters, world, or backstory right off the bat but it’s better to gradually introduce this information as the story unfolds. Integrate these details seamlessly into the story allowing your readers to discover them naturally.
This is another example where you can show rather than tell. Create scenes that show your readers what you want them to know. Show your characters in action and let readers immerse themselves in your world. Info dumping can also just slow down your novel completely taking your reader out of the experience.
Conclusion
Ok, that was five broad ways to help you improve your writing. Remember no matter how far you are in your writing journey, there will always be room to learn and grow. Even professional writers are still learning. Embrace each step, learn from the challenges, and celebrate the triumphs. Whether you’re a novice writer embarking on this expedition or a seasoned wordsmith refining your craft, the path to becoming a masterful writer is as unique as your voice. May your words flow with purpose, your stories resonate with authenticity, and your journey be one of continuous evolution. I hope you found use of this blog and if you did consider signing up for our newsletter. Happy writing!