One of the truths about writing is that those who love the craft find a deep passion and a satisfying outlet within its disciplines. For those who feel called or lead to a life of writing, there are very few things that seem to be as fulfilling. The art of putting words to paper and communicating through this medium seems to be a life giving event full of purpose.
However, for many people seeking to make a living off of writing there happens to be a certain level of professionalism that always fights to potentially stifle that love. Let’s face it, you can’t pay the bills with pure passion even the greatest writers who have made the largest impact on society had to learn discipline.
Discovering your voice, your areas of interest or even how you want to build a career off of writing are all mammoth tasks that every serious writer must commit to. At every step of the process, a writer who is going to have success must also be seeking to improve their writing. Even the most talented writers are constantly learning and growing their strengths in this skill and it’s no different for anyone else.
So if you are thinking about starting a writing career or maybe already in one, here are five ways that The Word Counter suggests to help you improve your writing.
1. Write Every Day!
Chances are you saw this coming from a mile away – but hear us out! Regardless of whether you are writing every day to pay the bills of still working your way to that position, the importance of daily writing can’t be overstated.
We aren’t necessarily talking about work here either! For the writer that brings home the figurative bacon by putting word to paper, the importance of writing in some way outside of your job description is paramount. Everything from daily, small, enjoyable writing exercises to even just journaling on a regular basis can help to grow your mind and soul as a writer and improve your art.
2. Read Every Day
Another daily discipline to keep up with is that of reading. As a writer, your ultimate goal is to continually learn how to craft and grow your skill into a product that is worth being read. Regardless of your genre, career or style, the truth is you want to write good, readable, impactful material. So, do yourself a favor and consistently fill your own mind with content of the same nature.
The more you challenge yourself to read and to be exposed to good literature, the sharper your skills as a writer will grow. This won’t just improve your skill as a writer either, but regularly reading good literature will help to remind you of why you are passionate about this art and help to keep you motivated.
3. Keep It In Perspective
There is a mental toll that comes along with writing. It can seem like a thankless job and it is historically famous for being a slow moving one. No great writer achieved fame and success over night and chances are neither will you. You want to be someone who writes for the long haul so keep your mind on the prize and don’t lose perspective on your journey.
4. Stay Healthy
As a writer, you will be faced with hours of sedentary discipline. Reading, writing, editing all seem to take place from the comfort of a seat. We can’t stress enough the importance of personal health. Making sure that your health is prioritized in the field of writing will not only keep your body healthy but can also help to keep your emotions and mind in a stable place.
This doesn’t have to look like rigorous hours at a gym but even something as simple as daily walks can help to refresh the mind, strengthen the soul and improve your overall health.
5. Become Comfortable With Critique
As a writer, it is imperative that you do one thing without fail – and that’s edit, edit, edit! Editing your work or seeing that it is properly edited is one of the most important aspects of becoming a strong, reliable, and successful writer. This goes beyond the simple tramels of punctuation and grammar however but reaches into the depths of critique. Be sure to get your content before trusted opinions that will not only help the technical aspects of your craft but also challenge and build up its very substance.