Smart Improve Your Writing Ability

Want to be a reliable book writer or blogger but you feel like you can't write? Want to make money from your writing but feel inferior because you consider yourself not talented at writing?

If yes, you are not alone. However, feeling yourself unable to write or not gifted in writing is just an excuse.

In fact, no great writer was born with a pen. In other words, writing is not a talent, but an ability or skill that can be improved over time.

Don't worry if you don't know how to improve your writing skills. Here are 7 clever ways that will help you write fluently.

1. Read a lot

What you read defines who you are. This saying can also apply to writing. Therefore, reading a lot (eg reading every day) is the basis for boosting your writing skills.

Why? There are three problems.

First, by reading a lot, your knowledge and insight will increase. Second, you don't miss the latest information. Third, your vocabulary increases.

What should you read? You can read blogs or websites and books on topics that interest you.

For example, I have an interest in self-development. So, I read a lot of various self-help blogs and books in Indonesian and English.

2. Join a community of writers

The second way is to join a community of writers (offline or online). This is very useful because in the community you can find free writing tricks and or guidance from members of the community.

For example, Jefferly Helianthusonfri joined a community of book writers in East Java. In the community, he received guidance on writing non-fiction books.

No wonder, at a young age, he has published dozens of books on internet marketing and online business (more than 27 books in total). Unmitigated, all of his books were published by major publishers.

How do I find a community of writers? Not hard.

You can use Facebook to find groups of authors. Log in to your Facebook account and type author groups in the search box.

From a number of groups that appear, see the number of members and their status. If it's not public and you're interested in joining, contact the group admin ASAP to register as a member.

3. Take paid online writing courses

Free writing groups certainly have limitations. The common cause is that the group members are busy so they can't help you much.

If you are in this condition, a paid online writing course is a rational choice. By taking the course, you will be guided step by step in writing because generally courses have a proven learning model.

To find online writing courses, use Google. Type in a word or phrase related to the writing topic you need.

For example, say you want to take a course on writing nonfiction books, then you can find it on Google by typing writing course.

4. Practice writing every day

Don't have the funds to take a writing course? Does not matter.

You can still improve your writing skills without taking a writing course. The trick is to practice writing every day.

What should you write every day?

You can write down the events that you experienced. You can record the things that happened in writing. You can write about your interests as well.

Because you have experienced and enjoyed each of these, writing about them is quite simple. As a result, you may consistently practice writing each day.

How many words to write?

For the initial stage, you don't need much first. For example, you just need to write 50-100 words a day.

5. Apply free writing techniques

When you write, you may often experience writing jams (writer's block). One of the tips to overcome this is to apply free writing techniques.

Write things related to the writing topic that pops into your head. Do not think right is not your writing. Don't care if your writing is spelled or not. Don't correct typos.

If necessary, do not use the backspace key on your laptop. Anyway, don't stop writing.

Why? Because writing uses the right brain so you are free to be creative.

After you finish writing, then you edit the writing so that it becomes better. These edits include spelling, typo, data, and references, among other things.

6. Observing the writing style of famous writers

The sixth way to jump-start your writing skills is to look at the writing styles of 1-3 well-known authors. Why? Because you'll see proven and tested writing patterns and techniques.

For example, when I was just studying at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, IPB (in 1996), I often paid close attention to Prof. Andi Hakim Nasution.

Incidentally, this Professor of Statistics and former Chancellor of IPB often displays his writings published by Kompas on the notice board to the left of the entrance to the FMIPA IPB library.

By observing his writing style, I know how to write articles using story telling techniques. Besides that, I also know how to write short paragraphs but still flow.

For your information, Prof. Andi Hakim Nasution passed away on March 4, 2002. May Allah SWT accept his deeds and get heaven.

7. Writing is like chatting with friends

The last way that you should try is to write like you're chatting with friends. Why do these tips work?

Because there is no traffic jam. Don't believe?

Try to remember the last time you talked to a friend. Chances are, you're talking nonsense, whether it's telling your work or light information from social media.

To use this technique, imagine that you are face to face with a friend. After that, write to him as if you were having a conversation. Simple, right?

For example, while writing the ebook Make Money Blogging, I envisioned a friend of mine who knew nothing about blogging as the target audience. I wrote to him like I was having a conversation so the words flowed from my head into MS Word.

Writing is not a talent, but a skill that you can improve on. Therefore, try all or some of the ways above to improve your writing skills right now. Good luck!