I’m not a great writer. I can’t tell you how many times people have told me that I should write a book at some point in my life, but the truth is, I just don’t have the talent for it. That’s why when people ask me what they need to do to become a better creative person which happens often I usually tell them this:
Be open-minded enough and brave enough to try every new thing you come across. If you’re willing to take risks and explore new territory by trying new ideas out, then eventually one of those ideas will stick with you and grow into something special. And if it doesn’t work out? Then try again!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Embrace diverse creative outlets. |
| Practice generating ideas regularly. |
| Focus on refining your unique style. |
| Collaborate with others for fresh perspectives. |
| Don’t let writing limitations hinder creativity. |
| Experiment with visual aids and multimedia. |
| Learn from successful creative professionals. |
| Emphasize storytelling to engage your audience. |
| Prioritize consistency and perseverance. |
| Celebrate small victories and progress. |
Learn From All The Greats
The best way to learn how to be a great creative is to learn from all the greats.
That’s right, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, just learn from those who’ve already been there and done that.
You can find some of their work in books and magazines, on TV shows, or in movies. You can also find it online with your favorite podcast (mine is The Creative Process) or streaming service (Netflix). And if you’re not sure where to start?
Try this: ask yourself what I want my work to be like. If you’re not sure what others’ work looks like, then start by watching/listening/reading things that are closest in style and genre as possible. There’s nothing wrong with getting inspiration from something completely different than what your work will be like but make sure it doesn’t feel too similar!
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Open Up A Word Doc And Just Start Writing
So you’re not a great writer, but you want to be? Here’s how:
Open up a word doc and just start writing. Write about what you know, write about what you care about, and write about what you’d like to know more about even if it’s just one line or two of text at first.
Get your brain going on the topic that has been top-of-mind for too long now, even if it feels uncomfortable or scary because it’s new territory for your creative self. Whatever comes out first is the best version of that idea; keep going until there are no more thoughts left in your head before moving on to another topic (or circle back again later).
Don’t worry about making sense; just let yourself get lost in the flow! You’ll have plenty of time later on when editing/proofreading/editing again/not editing anymore (which happens eventually). At this point in our process, we’re trying to get those ideas out onto paper so we can move forward with them at some point down the road.”
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Read, Read, Read. You’ll Never Be Sorry For Reading
If you want to be a good writer, read. Read all the time and don’t just read books on writing (though they can be helpful). Read magazines and newspapers, blogs, and online articles. Read poems and short stories, think pieces, and nonfiction work.
Read fiction of every genre: crime novels like Thomas Harris’s Hannibal Lecter series; science fiction works like Philip K Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?; romance novels like Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook; mysteries such as Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
Don’t just read because it’s a fun read because it will help your writing in ways too numerous to count: developing your skill as an observer of human behavior; improving your vocabulary by picking up new words from all different genres; improving grammar through careful parsing of sentences;
Increasing spelling accuracy through the frequent reading of proper nouns (and no, Wikipedia doesn’t count).
Make Friends With People Who Are Smarter Than You
Make friends with people who are smarter than you. Getting to know a professional in your chosen field can be a huge help, especially if they’re willing to share their expertise with you.
You’ll get access to their network, learn about interesting trends, and bounce ideas off of each other when you’re stuck all without having to pay for expensive mentorship programs or hiring an editor as well.
And even if it seems like your friend knows more than you do now, chances are good that someday (it could happen!), he or she will need some advice from a creative who’s only just starting. In this way, we all grow together!
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All Your Ideas Are Bad Until You Execute Them
Your ideas are just the beginning of something great. They’re not the end-all, be-all. Many people get excited right away and start planning out their projects. But if you do this without taking action and executing your idea, then you’re going to waste a lot of time and energy on nothing more than an idea that won’t come to fruition.
So how do we make our ideas happen? We need to get creative! We need to think about how we can make this idea happen in a way that makes sense for us as individuals and our lives as a whole.
You should always be honest about what is possible for yourself at any given time and what isn’t possible so that you don’t get frustrated along the way or burn out before finishing anything meaningful (like writing).
Stop Editing Yourself When You Write. No One Cares If You Write Something Stupid In Your Journal
If you are not a great writer, you will never be able to effectively edit yourself as a writer.
In fact, the more you edit and revise your writing, the staler it will become. It’s like an old pair of jeans that have been washed too many times; they become stiff and uncomfortable to wear because they have lost their elasticity.
You need to permit yourself to write poorly for your creative ideas to flow freely onto paper. You also need to allow yourself enough time in between sessions with your pen (or keyboard) so that when you sit down again it doesn’t feel like work it feels like play!
It’s Better To Be Done Than Perfect
When it comes to creative work, perfectionism is your enemy. I’m sure you know this already we all have an internal editor that tells us how we can improve our work, or how it could be better if only we had more time and money.
But here’s the thing: perfectionists never feel like they’re done with their projects; they’re always thinking about what could be done differently, or how it might look better if only… And so nothing ever gets finished!
Instead of worrying about what other people think of your project (and trust me: no one cares), just get something out there even if it’s imperfect. Then go back and fix things later when you have time or hire someone else to do so!
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Writing Is A Skill That Improves With Practice, Like Anything Else In Life
Writing is a skill, just like any other. If you want to get better at it, there are several things you can do:
Read more. A lot of great writers started by reading everything they could get their hands on. So read, if only for the sake of it! You’ll learn from the best, and probably see some new ideas for your writing in the process.
Write often. The more you write, the better your skills will be plain and simple! Try to keep up a consistent schedule of writing at least once a day (and ideally twice or even three times).
When possible, try setting aside specific blocks of time during which you focus on working on your book or articles without interruptions (like email or social media). This will help ensure that you’re able to concentrate solely on improving these skills during this time and achieve more progress than ever before!
Every Day Is An Opportunity To Write Better Than You Wrote Yesterday
You can be better than you were yesterday.
Every day is an opportunity to write better than you wrote yesterday. Even if it’s just for five minutes, try to spend some time every day writing something new and making progress on your craft. There won’t be any big leaps forward in your writing unless you sit down and do the work of putting words onto paper (or screen).
You might not notice much improvement from one day to the next, but if you keep doing this consistently over time then eventually something will click into place within your brain that makes your writing feel smoother and more natural—and at that point, it will start feeling easier for you as well!
Your Mind Can Do Incredible Things If You Let It Take Risks And Explore New Territory
You can’t be a good creative if you don’t take risks and try new things, right? So take a risk! Try something new!
It’s not about being the best or doing it perfectly on your first try. It’s about trying, failing, learning from your mistakes, and trying again. The point is to keep going even when things get tough or feel impossible. The point is to push yourself further than where you were yesterday even if all those things seem impossible at the moment.
The more risks you take in life, the more opportunities there will be for success and discoveries, and all because of a few simple steps:
Write down everything that comes into your head that could relate to what you’re working on right now (no matter how silly or unimportant). This may seem like an odd exercise at first glance but trust me; this process works wonders for clarifying ideas by allowing them space outside of our heads so they can grow bigger than we ever imagined possible!
Look At What Everyone Else Is Doing And Try To Do Something Different And Better
One way to do this is to look at what everyone else is doing and try to do something different and better. You should also try not to be afraid of being different than everyone else. It’s okay if you don’t have the same style as someone else; sometimes people are just different in the way they think, the way they write, or even their taste in music.
You might feel like you’re weird because no one else likes that kind of music but guess what? The person who invented the disco was considered weird at first too! You can still be creative without being weird but if your style is a little bit different than others then don’t worry about it!
Come up with a million ideas, then commit to one idea and execute the hell out of that one idea until it’s awesome, then move on to the next idea, then back to the first idea again for revisions…and so on forever.
It is better to be done with an idea than perfect. You can always go back and refine your work, but you can’t create anything if you don’t start working on something first.
You should not be afraid of mistakes. Mistakes are opportunities for growth, learning, and improvement. The only way to get better is through the process of trial and error, so embrace the mistakes (and learn from them).
Don’t let fear of failure stop you from trying! There’s no such thing as a failure only feedback on how we could be better next time around. We learn more from our failures than we do from our successes anyway so just keep pushing forward!
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Conclusion
If you’re in the creative field, chances are you’ve heard someone say “this is an interesting idea, but it needs to be written better.” It can feel like the death knell for your idea and maybe your career for someone to say that.
But that doesn’t have to be the case. You don’t necessarily need to be a great writer to make your ideas come alive. Being a great creative has less to do with how well you write (or speak) and more about how effectively you communicate with others: clients, colleagues, friends, and family members alike.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic of enhancing creativity and improving writing skills:
How to Be Creative: A Guide to Unlocking Your Creative Potential
Discover practical strategies to tap into your creativity and bring fresh ideas to life.
Not a Good Writer? You Can Still Be a Great Author
Learn how even if you don’t consider yourself a strong writer, you can still excel as an author with the right approach.
The Science of Creativity: How to Ignite and Sustain Your Innovative Mind
Delve into the science behind creativity and gain insights into fostering a more innovative mindset.
FAQs
How can I boost my creative thinking?
Enhancing creative thinking involves activities such as brainstorming, exploring new experiences, and seeking inspiration from diverse sources. Engaging in creative exercises can also help stimulate your imagination.
What are some effective techniques to overcome writer’s block?
Writer’s block can be tackled by trying techniques like freewriting, setting specific goals, changing your environment, and taking breaks. Exploring different perspectives or discussing ideas with others can also help break through creative blocks.
How do copywriting and content marketing differ?
Copywriting focuses on persuasive writing to drive actions, while content marketing involves creating valuable content to engage and educate an audience. Copywriting aims for conversions, while content marketing builds relationships and trust.
Can listening to podcasts improve my copywriting skills?
Absolutely! Podcasts provide insights from experienced professionals, case studies, and practical tips that can enhance your copywriting skills. They offer a convenient way to learn and stay updated on industry trends.
Why is writing for free beneficial for business growth?
Writing for free, such as guest blogging or offering valuable content, can establish your expertise, build credibility, and attract a loyal audience. It can lead to increased visibility, opportunities, and eventually contribute to business growth.
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.