Ten Ways to Improve Your Writing

I’d knew I’d be a writer when my eighth-grade English teacher told me to read aloud my essay on her two-page assignment called “If I could go anywhere in the world, where would that be and why?” While everybody else tried to stretch into two pages dreams of DisneyWorld, Six Flags or the beach, I wrote about the religious and historic significance of Rome, and how that one-of-a-kind culture has affected every generation since its Biblical beginnings. Yes, I was a nerd with a penchant for prose. I also easily sunburned.

Throughout my career, my writing skills have always served me well. If you want to improve your writing, here are ten suggestions:

1) Listen – If you’re saying anything other than “can you elaborate on that?” or “can I verify this?’, you’re talking too much. If you want to be a good writer, be a good listener.

2) Move – Literally, get up and move. If you’re maximizing your brain’s endorphins and all those other chemicals that prompt the creative juices through exercise, then writing becomes more natural.

3) Read – While I’ve no scientific research to support this, I strongly believe that readers make the best writers. Fiction, nonfiction, instruction manuals, food labels, whatever. Just read – and keep a dictionary handy when you stumble upon new words.

4) Practice – If you dream of making a living by writing, you either better be writing or practicing writing until you get that dream assignment. Write about anything – your feelings, thoughts or memories. Heck, write an essay on “If I could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?”

5) Think – We grew up on “Once upon a time” and “They lived happily ever after”. In general, good writing has a beginning and an end. Think about how to best connect the dots in your work. Use your analytical, logical and problem-solving skills. As one colleague puts it, “when you wrap it up, and put the prettiest bow on top, you’re done”.

6) Diversify – Learn to write in different voices. Writing a speech for a corporate CEO is completely different than writing a satirical blog. Just as people are diversified in their vocabulary and inflections, so your writing should be.

7) Timing – As my first newspaper editor taught me, write when you and/or the content is fresh. As soon as you’ve completed that interview, verified that research or thought of that million-dollar-making strategy, write about it right then and there.

8) Read aloud – When you think you’ve completed the writing task, read it aloud. Does the article flow, make sense, capture your interest and have a point?

9) Feedback – Depending on your time frame, confidence and/or type of content, you may want to get feedback from either an experienced writer or a subject matter expert. Make only those revisions necessary to clarify content or facts.

10) Edit/Proof – After you’ve read aloud, make necessary edits, and correct grammar or spelling mistakes. DO NOT RE-WRITE (writers are notorious for “perfecting” their work). Put down the piece. Go to bed. Repeat the process the following day. Then press the Send button, and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!

What suggestions do you have for improving your writing skills?