Here at WordStream, we believe in the power of words. As content marketers, we work hard to connect others with our words in a meaningful way, and we have a blast doing it!
We love writing good content that people want to read, but sometimes even the best writers can use some extra help. So we reached out to a group of our favorite writers and asked them: “How do you stay motivated?”
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Embrace consistent writing habits. |
| 2. Read widely to expand your perspective. |
| 3. Seek constructive feedback to improve. |
| 4. Edit and revise your work diligently. |
| 5. Practice writing regularly to enhance skills. |
| 6. Cultivate a love for storytelling. |
| 7. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. |
| 8. Develop a strong work ethic and discipline. |
| 9. Experiment with different writing styles. |
| 10. Emphasize clarity and simplicity in your writing. |
1. Avoid Passive Voice
When you’re writing, you can avoid passive voice by using active voice instead. The difference between the two is that in passive voice, the subject is acted upon rather than acting (i.e., to be kicked versus kicking).
Active voice is direct and engaging it’s more reader-friendly and powerful because it’s concise.
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2. Give Yourself A Challenge
When you’re just starting, it can be hard to know how much time you should devote to your writing. One way to make sure that you’re not spending too much time on it is by giving yourself a challenge.
So here are some ideas for trying out:
Set yourself a daily word count goal (like 500 words per day). This will help you keep track of your progress, and may keep your motivation high even if the process of writing becomes slow or frustrating at times.
Write a story in a different genre than what you normally write (for example, instead of writing fantasy stories all the time, try science fiction). This can help stretch your boundaries and maybe even improve your skill level as well!
Write a story in a different form than what you normally write (for example, instead of writing short stories all the time, try writing flash fiction or poetry).
Write a story in a style different from what “you” normally do try first-person narration one day and third-person narration another day; use passive voice one day and active voice another day; etcetera!
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3. Read With A Pen In Your Hand
Reading with a pen in your hand is an important skill. When you read, you should be taking notes and underlining things that you want to remember. You should also be drawing arrows on the page, circling significant words, or writing down questions or ideas in the margins.
Writing down quotes from the book can help you remember certain parts of it better than others, as well as what kind of person wrote it! You could even try to find out more about them by searching their name online.
Writing down words that you don’t understand helps because when we write something down, we tend to pay attention more closely than if we just read it off of paper or computer screen.”
4. Be More Humble And Vulnerable In Your Writing
The first step to being a better writer is self-awareness. Be honest with yourself and your writing. Be honest with your readers, your characters, and the story you’re trying to tell.
You should also be honest with the process of writing itself your style, tools, and environment are all parts of a whole that makeup who you are as a writer.
Be vulnerable because it makes you stronger as an artist and human being. Your work will be better because of it!
5. Write About Your Obsessions
Write about what you know. There’s something easy to forget when we’re sitting down to write something: we already have a good idea of it. We’ve been there, done that, and can tell you all about it.
So when you sit down to write a story or an article or even just a blog post, take advantage of this knowledge base by using it in your writing.
What better way is there to make sure your readers will connect with your work than by making them feel like they know what you’re talking about?
Writing about what interests or obsesses you doesn’t mean that everything has to be about yourself (though sometimes it does).
It means finding something outside yourself that inspires or intrigues or amazes something in which you have an interest and then exploring those feelings through writing!
You might find yourself surprised at how much comes out on paper once you start tapping into some deep-seated emotions; but hey at least they’re not hidden away forever now (or at least until someone finds them while cleaning out their attic someday).
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6. Trust Your First Instinct, Then Rewrite
“The only way to write a story is to begin it, and once you have begun it continues until it is finished.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
There will be times when you write something that feels like garbage. It might not even be bad writing, just bad for what you’re trying to do with this specific piece of writing.
For example, if I try to write an essay about how awesome my cat is without talking about the fact that he pees on everything including himself, I’m going to sound like a crazy person. Do you know what else would make me sound like a crazy person?
Writing about how awesome my cat is when I don’t own one (but hey—I’ve been thinking about getting one).
So trust yourself and trust your instincts when revising; if something doesn’t feel right or seems off base from where you want the project/story/whatever-it-is-you’re-working-on headed in terms of tone or focus or general direction…rewrite!
If it’s good enough for us humans who have feelings and thoughts inside our heads but also happen to be very messy creatures whose brains are full of contradicting impulses…then why not trust ourselves as writers too?
7. Find The Right Environment To Write In
Finding the right environment is key to being a better writer, and it’s not just about finding a place where you can get down to work.
It’s also about finding a place where you feel comfortable and at ease, where you’re free from distraction, where privacy isn’t an issue, and where interruptions aren’t likely.
Some people like working in their bedroom or home office; others prefer cafes or public parks; still, others will use whatever space is available in their offices (if they have one).
Here are some tips for choosing your ideal writing spot:
Find somewhere quiet and free from distractions. If there’s any chance of being interrupted by someone else whether they mean well or not find somewhere else to write! You should be able to focus without having anyone come into your workspace unexpectedly.
Find somewhere private enough so that no one sees what it is exactly that you’re working on.
If anyone could see what was written on paper in front of them then learning strategies could become confusing for learners who don’t understand why some things are being done differently than normal practices dictate would be done instead.
Especially if those things are differentiating instruction strategies which might reveal too much information about students’ needs/academic levels before teachers have had time get used too seeing how well each student performs during class activities/lessons.
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8. Use Criticism As Fuel
Don’t get defensive. It’s easy to be defensive when someone critiques your work. But if you can learn to see criticism as a gift and not an attack, it will help you become a better writer.
The next time someone gives you feedback on your writing, listen carefully and try not to take it personally. If they have some good advice, try implementing it! If they are wrong, then politely explain why they are wrong and move on with life.
Criticism is a way of improving your work if we stop receiving feedback on our writing then we’ll never improve at all!
9. Embrace Boredom
When you’re bored, it’s a sign that you’ve grown and are doing something new. It means you’re stretching yourself in new and uncomfortable ways, which will ultimately lead to greater success.
Sure, being bored can sometimes feel like a waste of time (like when we’re sitting on the subway waiting for the next station to appear), but it can also be an important part of learning something new.
I’m not saying you should actively seek out boredom in your life but if and when it does happen, embrace it!
10. Let It Sit, Then Come Back And Rewrite
You might want to let your work sit for a few days or even weeks. If you can, set it aside for a month and come back to it with fresh eyes.
You may see things that you missed the first time around like plot holes or character inconsistencies and be able to correct them before submitting them for publication.
Another reason why letting your work sit is important is that sometimes when we write something down, our minds are flooded with ideas that aren’t making sense on paper.
It’s easy to get excited about an idea and start writing away only for our words not to reflect what was originally in our minds at all!
So give yourself some space before diving back into your story so that you can edit with clarity instead of rushing through revisions because there isn’t enough time in class today and everyone else needs their assignments turned in tomorrow!
11. Edit Before You Post, Even If You’re Tweeting Or On Facebook
We all know it’s important to edit. It’s not that hard to make a mistake, and your readers will notice if you do.
But editing is also crucial for improving your writing, in general, it allows you to have a better understanding of what you’ve written, and it helps you clarify what you want to say so that the reader understands as well.
As an example: I used to be terrible at punctuation and grammar until I started editing every piece of writing I produced before posting it online or sharing it with friends.
Now, I don’t even notice those mistakes anymore because my brain has trained itself not only for the correct use of commas but also for consistency when using contractions (e.g., “she’s” vs “she are”).
12. Don’t Be Afraid To Throw Away Good Stuff. Its Purpose Is Done
I’ll admit, this is one of the hardest tips for me to follow. It’s especially hard when you have a novel that has hundreds of pages and you’re working on the third draft.
You know what? Maybe those 200 pages don’t need to go into your final copy. Maybe they were just there in case things went wrong and now you’ve realized that everything is going fine so you can cut ’em out.
Don’t be afraid to throw away good stuff the purpose of writing is finished (for now), so now it’s time for editing!
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13. Tell The Truth. You Might Know Less Than You Think You Do. But That’s Okay. Just Tell The Truth As You See It
The truth is more interesting than fiction, and it doesn’t have to be boring or sad or unpleasant (even though sometimes it will be). Sometimes people are afraid of telling their stories because they think they’re not good enough;
But the fact is, nobody knows what anyone else’s life is like unless they share their story with them, and if your story is told honestly and with humility and vulnerability, then there’s a good chance someone will relate to it in some way or another.
Even if no one relates to your writing in any way whatsoever, there are still benefits: writing makes us better at thinking critically about ourselves and our lives;
Writing forces us to articulate our thoughts clearly so that others can understand them; and most importantly, writing exercises self-awareness by making us confront difficult truths about ourselves without being able to hide behind them anymore (like when we lie)!
Conclusion
We hope that these tips from some of your favorite writers can inspire you to be a better writer. And if you’re still not convinced, we have one last piece of advice from Stephen King: “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time [or the tools] to write. Simple as that.”
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further enhance your writing skills:
Scribe Media Writing Tips for Authors Short Description: Explore a wealth of practical writing advice tailored for authors. Uncover valuable insights on crafting compelling narratives and refining your writing technique. URL: Scribe Media Writing Tips for Authors
Smart Blogger’s Writing Tips Short Description: Delve into Smart Blogger’s curated collection of writing tips designed to empower bloggers. Discover strategies to captivate your audience, create engaging content, and master the art of storytelling. URL: Smart Blogger’s Writing Tips
Rock Content’s Blog Writing Tips Short Description: Elevate your blog writing prowess with Rock Content’s expert advice. Learn how to craft impactful blog posts, optimize content for SEO, and keep your readers engaged. URL: Rock Content’s Blog Writing Tips
FAQs
What are the key elements of effective storytelling?
Effective storytelling involves crafting relatable characters, a compelling plot, and a well-defined setting. Additionally, incorporating conflict and resolution helps create engaging narratives that resonate with readers.
How can I improve my writing consistency?
To enhance your writing consistency, establish a regular writing routine, set realistic goals, and eliminate distractions. Consistency fosters improvement and helps you develop your unique writing style.
What strategies can I use to overcome writer’s block?
Writer’s block can be overcome by trying freewriting exercises, changing your writing environment, taking short breaks, and exploring different creative prompts. Experiment with these techniques to jumpstart your writing flow.
How do I make my blog posts more engaging?
To create engaging blog posts, focus on writing compelling headlines, incorporating visuals, using storytelling techniques, and addressing your readers’ pain points. By providing value and making your content relatable, you can capture and hold your audience’s attention.
What’s the significance of editing and revising my work?
Editing and revising are crucial steps in refining your writing. They help eliminate errors, enhance clarity, and ensure your message is effectively communicated. Taking the time to polish your work demonstrates your commitment to delivering quality content.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.