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My goal for 2021 is to develop skills and learn subjects with intention.
Each month, I work to get better at one thing. For January, it's writing.
This is an ongoing thread of things I learn about writing from continuous practice, reading, and observing others.
/thread/
Each month, I work to get better at one thing. For January, it's writing.
This is an ongoing thread of things I learn about writing from continuous practice, reading, and observing others.
/thread/
1/ Professional writers don't wait for a bolt of inspiration or the muse.
They attract it.
Keep a journal of interesting thoughts, ideas, observations, words, and stories that you find.
When you go to write, flip through, and you'll breathe in ideas and creativity.
They attract it.
Keep a journal of interesting thoughts, ideas, observations, words, and stories that you find.
When you go to write, flip through, and you'll breathe in ideas and creativity.
2/ Write on a schedule. Preferably every day. Daily practices compound faster than anything less frequent.
3/ Copy the works of great writers.
Literally.
Open their essay or novel and open a new document besides it. Read a sentence and then write it down from memory.
This internalizes good sentence structure, word choice, and how to develop a compelling argument.
Literally.
Open their essay or novel and open a new document besides it. Read a sentence and then write it down from memory.
This internalizes good sentence structure, word choice, and how to develop a compelling argument.
4/ Surround yourself with good books. Most often, you'll find something interesting when you start reading from a random page.
The older the book the better. It means the ideas have been tested, tried, and honed by history and time.
The older the book the better. It means the ideas have been tested, tried, and honed by history and time.
5/ Write for yourself. What is interesting to you? What could you talk about for hours? What is it that you wish you had known 6 months earlier?
Edit for your reader. How do you make it easy for the reader? Cut down sentences. Aim for clarity and preciseness.
Edit for your reader. How do you make it easy for the reader? Cut down sentences. Aim for clarity and preciseness.
6/ Remember that writing is an art and art is subjective. There are rules, but most great writers break them.
At first, learn to become good. Then forget everything you learned to become great.
At first, learn to become good. Then forget everything you learned to become great.
