Better Writing SecretsAs any successful writer knows there are secrets to better writing, but by the time they are successful they are no longer secrets. Sadly when you start out writing either for fun or to make money writing it stands to reason that they are going to be some aspects of the craft that elude you. It’s just the way things are. I hate to think how many common writing mistakes I made in the first few of years of my career. Luckily I had the support and knowledge of writing mentors and their resources to draw on, people who would share these so-called ‘secrets’ with me. It’s what they told me, and I what I read, that enabled me to jumpstart my writing career or if that sounds too formal, it’s some of the stuff I learnt that all new writers should have the opportunity to learn earlier. Never underestimate the importance of joining writers groups and mixing with other writers. Not only is it a great place to bounce ideas off other people, to share information but it’s your place to ‘be a writer’. It’s all too easy today to ‘be’ things – a parent, a nurse, a housewife, a son. Yet if writing is what you want to do it’s also important to ‘be a writer’, and since this is sometimes hard to be within the structure of a pre-designed day often the best solution is to get out the house for a while and ‘be’ somewhere else. Learning how to write a critique is also something that can be done within a group. Receiving feedback and giving feedback on work is a definite step on the path to better writing. Very few good pieces of work are the result of the first draft; you need to know how to edit and to rewrite your work to get the best out of it. Of course there is also plenty of learning and growing that can be done at home. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, ‘If you want to write well you must read, read, read’. Well it’s true, but the improvement and journey to better writing is not just in the reading of a story. There is a lot to be learned from structure, style, voice, descriptions, the list goes on. The first sentence , for example, is often overlooked by new writers. This sentence is what gets the reader into your book or story. After all, if they don’t like the first one what are the chances that they will read the second one or the first chapter? If necessary write the first sentence twenty times, perhaps even write the whole story and then come back and rewrite the first paragraph, or even first chapter. In many ways this is the most important wording of the whole story/book/article. There is so much more to good writing than just putting the words on the page, although of course without the latter there would never be the former. In simple words if you want to achieve better writing absorb everything you can from writers who have gone before you. It doesn’t mean you have to follow everything they say exactly, because as with any skill there will be thoughts that disagree, simply absorb the information and if it works for you keep it. Return from Better Writing to Writing Information and Tips New! CommentsHave your say about what you've just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
UPCOMING ONLINE COURSES
Magazine Articles that Sell
(journalism)
9th February to 8th March
Writing from the Heart
(true-life/personal essay)
2nd March to 30th March
RESERVE YOUR PLACE
TODAY
What people are saying about our online courses ...
'I'm delighted and proud of my first attempt. Thank you for a wonderful course. I have been enriched.'
AK, Zimbabwe
‘You were my inspiration in actually doing something with my writing. I would like to thank you for kicking me in the butt and insisting I do something!’
Bec, Australia
‘Elizabeth, this was a terrific, confidence building, well-honed little course. I would thoroughly recommend it.’
Margot, Australia
‘Writing is a labour of love when we expose ourselves by baring our soul. I believe Elizabeth Bezant has the skill to combine respect for our feelings, with pragmatic strategies to help us publish our precious efforts.’
John, Australia
‘Elizabeth, this was a great course and though it was short it has boosted my confidence in my writing. Thank you!’
Rachael, Australia
‘A very rewarding challenge – not too difficult, not too easy. Every word was welcome and useful. I edit other people’s writing in a really similar manner, but it’s amazing how difficult it is to see those same errors in your own work.’
Margot, Australia
'Great course Elizabeth! I would not have taken the time to seriously try this genre but for your course. I made the last few changes you suggested and have sent the essay in to ............. After reviewing their requirements I see that my piece fits in every way possible.'
SM,Canada
The critiquing to me was the whole point of the course. While the general comments and writing tips were vital as a backbone to the course, the personal interaction and direction was the whole point of it all.’
Sue, Australia
‘I thoroughly enjoyed course, and it being online made it a breeze.’
Rowe, Australia
Fill in the form below to receive regular updates and information through our newsletter.
‘A publisher asked me to send her some of my writing this year. But I never would have without this course.’
Raewyn, Australia
‘I’ve just sent off the last of the assignments for critiquing and before I go any further I must say a very big thank you to you for the joy you have given me! Not only have I learnt so much from you, but I have also so appreciated all the encouragement and your wise counsel in assisting me to do something that I wouldn’t have believed could have been nearly possible. I will miss you.’
Yvonne, Australia
'Thanks to Elizabeth I can now source markets for personal stories, competently make my writing market-ready and sell it with confidence. Your editing skills are an asset to the writing community. I recommend this course to any writer who wants to break into this market.'
JOH, Australia
'I thought the way the market information was presented was not only informative but importantly for me it was written in a friendly manner. It took away some of the awesome fear I have of confronting the real world of publishing.'
KM, Australia