Writing can seem like a daunting task, even for people who write a lot. If you’re here because you’ve decided to write a novel or you want to refresh writing skills that have faded a little, keep reading.
1. Read.
In order to write well, you must read. This is the most important key to strengthen writing skills. Writing styles change frequently—read a book published fifty years ago to see that evidence.
Read books in your genre and outside your genre for a feel of style; compare their similarities and differences.
2. Brush up on your writing skills.
Read books and find online helps for grammar and writing. Free and budget-friendly resources are widely available with only a small time spent searching the internet. Check the Resources at the bottom of this article for several wonderful books and websites that will help get you started. All books that I have included below will be available at your local library or through interlibrary loan, which will help if you’re on a tight budget. (Also, a personal tip from me: create a wishlist on Amazon for books you want to purchase. Amazon has frequent markdowns on books, so keep an eye out for books you want.)
3. Practice writing.
A skill regularly used is a skill that is kept fresh. Choose one of the following suggestions or come up with your own idea to get yourself writing on a regular basis.
- If you write infrequently, step up your game—buy a colorful journal and some pens that will make writing fun.
- Start a blog about a hobby you enjoy.
- Search online for writing prompts and devote time to writing 500 words or more with those prompts.
4. Take a course.
The English language is alive and changes in rules and speech occur frequently. As an example, the Merriam-Webster dictionary adds hundreds of new words to the dictionary each year (click here to see 2020’s additions). There are few absolutes in the area of language and literature, so it’s important to keep up with the field.
Thankfully, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to increase your knowledge. A Google search can yield lots of options for writing or grammar courses available for small and large budgets. With online learning opportunities increasing all the time, there has never been a better time to strengthen writing skills. Invest in an online course (check links below), or check your local university or community college for in-person instruction.
5. Organize your writing.
No matter how you go about the initial planning, incorporate a novel plotting method and, if it works well for you, stick to it. Traditional outlining, a detailed synopsis (which is helpful later if you plan to send a synopsis to an agent or publishing house), a storyboard, note cards, and software such as Scrivener are just a few of many outlining options in practice today that you can employ. Taking the time to organize the foundation of your novel will save time and keep ready certain details you may need to recall later.
6. Strengthen the building of the backbone of your story.
Read books on character development, plot, and dialogue. Achieving realistic and captivating characters, dynamic dialogue, and engaging action takes time, practice, and patience. (Resources I recommend are listed below.)
7. Join a writing or critique group.
If you haven’t considered joining a writing or critique group, you should. Many cities have local writing groups, so look for one in your town. There are also online writing groups on Facebook and on the web. Two such websites that I’ve seen mentioned quite a bit are CritiqueCircle and Writing.com.
8. Be open to criticism.
Merriam-Webster defines criticism in this respect as “the art of evaluating or analyzing works of art or literature.” In order to grow as a writer, one must be willing to learn and make necessary changes.
9. Enjoy the writing.
I love the “write without fear” image, because it summarizes the writing and editing processes. Write your first draft and have fun with it. My biggest problem when I’m writing is that I “write and dump” too often. When I commit to the task of JUST WRITING (no deleting, no major changes, and no dumping big chunks of content!), the work gets done quicker and with less anxiety. Don’t worry about making major corrections or revisions as you write the first draft, because doing so could cause an interruption in the flow of creativity.
Once the draft is complete, focus on editing. If you need help with the self-editing process, you can purchase books from most book stores or borrow from your local library. (Resources on self-editing that I recommend are below.)
Resources
Critique Groups (free and subscriber options)
https://www.scribophile.com/
https://www.inkedvoices.com/
https://www.writing.com/
https://www.critiquecircle.com/
Also, check Facebook for writing and critique groups.
Grammar
Guide to Grammar & Writing – the website look is outdated, but it is a gem for help with grammar. I highly recommend this website for those who need a quick study in grammar.
Grammar Girl
Writing
The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University – a great resource for writing and grammar help
Writing Courses
Writer’s Digest University
Lynda
Udemy
MasterClass
Free Writing Courses
Write Your First Novel
Creative Writing Course
Yale course in Modern Poetry
Writing Skills Books & Articles
Writing the Breakout Novel: Insider Advice for Taking Your Fiction to the Next Level by Donald Maass
The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide To Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman
Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer’s Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book by Courtney Maum
The 30-Day Writing Challenge: Begin or Enhance Your Daily Writing Habit Paperback – by Sara E. Crawford
Creating Character Arcs: The Masterful Author’s Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development (Helping Writers Become Authors Book 7) by K.M. Weiland
Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success (Helping Writers Become Authors Book 1) by K.M. Weiland
5 Secrets of Story Structure: How to Write a Novel That Stands Out (Helping Writers Become Authors Book 6) by K.M. Weiland
Crafting Story: A Guide for the Emerging Writer by Kate Johnston
Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish by James Scott Bell
Description & Setting: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Believable World of People, Places, and Events by Ron Rozelle
How to Self-Edit: 10 Tips for Editing Your Own Writing
Source
Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, s.v. “criticism,” accessed August 18, 2020, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criticism.
