Are you ready to take your writing skills to the next level? Whether you're an aspiring author or just looking to improve your writing for personal or professional reasons, you're in the right place. As a published author, personal development coach, and experienced scriptwriter, I'm here to share with you seven foolproof ways to become a better writer.

So, let's get started!

Tip 1: Proper Research for Good Writing

Good writing requires proper research, a skill that is crucial in any field. Research is not limited to just scholarly articles or books; it involves exploring various resources such as films, songs, conversations, and experts in the field. Keeping an open mind and gathering information from different sources can provide a better understanding of the topic.

As a writer, it's important to have more information than you need and take time to savour the research process. From personal experience, it can take months or even a year to do research and narrow down the essential points to write about. The better the research, the better the writing. So, start with proper research to take your writing to the next level.

Tip 2: Expand Your Vocabulary

Expanding your vocabulary is an essential skill for anyone who wants to be an eloquent writer and speaker. A good vocabulary allows you to express yourself more precisely and effectively in any given situation. One way to achieve this is by reading extensively, which exposes you to a wide range of words in different contexts. However, another fun way to expand your vocabulary is by playing word games or using vocabulary-building apps.

But perhaps the most effective method is through the use of a dictionary. By looking up unfamiliar words and learning them in the context of sentences, you can become more comfortable with their usage.

It's also important to try and incorporate new words into your daily vocabulary as soon as possible. This helps to reinforce your learning and make the words a natural part of your language. Maya Angelou, one of the most celebrated writers of our time, even kept a dictionary by her side while writing. So, take a cue from the greats and start expanding your vocabulary today.

Rule 3: The Power of Reading

Reading extensively allows you to learn from other authors' writing styles, gaining insight into how they express emotions, describe things, and convey ideas. By analysing these styles, you can extract certain ideas and incorporate them into your own writing. Additionally, reading helps you to develop a vision of how things are done, shaping your writing style.

In my own writing experience, I have found that reading has not only expanded my knowledge but also my writing skills. I have a better understanding of what kind of writing style I want to emulate and what I want to avoid.

Rule 4: Take Notes

Taking notes from books that you read is a powerful way to become a better writer. Whether it's full sentences, certain phrases, new words in context, or even funny anecdotes, taking notes helps you learn how to phrase things in new and exciting ways. It also trains you to think and write in the same manner as the authors you admire.

While you will always have your own unique voice, emulating other writers can help you to develop your own writing style. Leonardo da Vinci used a similar method with his students, having them emulate the masterpieces of painters who came before them before creating their own.

By copying and observing the greats, you can slowly develop your own writing style over time. So, take notes and emulate the writers you admire to become a better writer yourself.

Rule 5: Always Carry a Notebook or Writing Materials

Carrying a notebook with you wherever you go can be a game-changer for becoming a better writer. Writing down big ideas or random thoughts throughout the day not only helps you to remember them but also frees up your mind to new sources of creativity and inspiration.

By having a notebook filled with interesting ideas, you'll have a pool of inspiration to draw from when it's time to write. Over time, you can collect these notes and turn them into a masterpiece. As the writer of 50 Shades of Grey, E.L. James confessed, much of her book was written on her Blackberry during her train ride from work to home. By getting her ideas down on paper, she was able to turn them into a story. As the saying goes, "you can't edit a blank page."

Rule 6: Start with an Outline

Organising your ideas into an outline can help you overcome writer's block and get started on your writing project. Whether it's a mental outline or one on paper, breaking down your ideas into sections and important points can make it easier to condense and write about.

By adding visuals and images, you can further solidify your ideas and make the writing process smoother. This stage is like sketching a dress, where you start with the basic lines and add details and colour over time. Similarly, once you have your outline, you can easily add content to it and have a ready book. So, start with an outline to overcome writer's block and get your ideas flowing.

Rule 7: Write Every Day

Writing on a daily basis can be a powerful tool for becoming a better writer. Whether it's taking notes, journaling, or writing creatively, making writing a daily habit can help you to improve your skills over time. Many successful authors have confessed that the most difficult part of writing is getting started and maintaining the discipline to write every day. However, the benefits of daily writing are immense.

For example, if you write just five pages a day, you'll have written the equivalent of 73,000 words in a year. This can translate into 243 books of 300 pages each! To make daily writing a habit, it's important to create a clean, quiet, and peaceful environment where you can concentrate. Allocate yourself a time block of at least two hours to write, and allow yourself to just write without editing or revising until you have all of your ideas down.

Conclusion

In summary, to become a good writer, read widely, embrace new vocabulary, edit ruthlessly, take notes, carry a notebook, start with an outline, and write daily. These tips take time, dedication, and practice, but they can improve your writing skills and confidence. Check out the YouTube video for more guidance on this topic. With the right tools and mindset, you can achieve your writing goals.