What is the one sure-fire way to improve your writing skills? In one word: read.
It makes sense, right? To write well, you need to read, but it’s more than simply being able to read.
Read as much as you can, especially in the genre you want to write.The more you read, the more you see what you like, trends of popular writing styles, and “acceptable” usage in that genre of writing.
If you want to write for a certain magazine, blog, or even a publishing house, you need to read what goes to print. For blog or magazine article pitches, most submission guidelines for blogs and magazines will encourage you to read their posts or past articles before submitting to get an idea of their style and the type of content they publish. Take that advice seriously if you want them to take you seriously!
As you keep reading, you’ll notice styles you gravitate toward. You might appreciate straightforward, direct writing. Maybe you like when writing takes a more personal, humorous tone. Perhaps you prefer an objective, informative style best.
But how does reading improve your writing skills? Then comes the fun part. Then comes the part when you imitate the writing you liked. Here are a few ways to do that:
- Try writing about a different but related topic but in a similar way.
- Highlight the parts you like in writing and ask yourself why you like about it.
- Write, read, write, read . . .
There is a reason why writers are often avid readers. You can read not only for enjoyment or to learn new content, but also for research and professional development in writing.
Although this may seem like a really simple tip, it can be a pretty powerful tool for your writing skills.
Your turn. What do you do to improve your writing skills?
