Writing is a skill that never runs out of style. As long as there are humans on the face of the earth, there will be a need to communicate. Writing will remain one of the means of communication. This, therefore, brings to focus the importance of learning to write. Here are 4 must-have secrets to writing.
Secret 1: Write what you Understand.
There are a million and one things that you can write about. It is, however, important that you write on something you understand and can discuss in detail. It is easy to tell when a writer has only surface-level knowledge of a subject. Having a shallow understanding of your subject matter makes readers lose faith in you and write you off as a novice. So, the secret to writing with confidence is to write on something at which you are an expert or of which you have first-hand knowledge. That is the way to become an authority in your field.
Secret 2: Have a Rich vocabulary.
Your vocabulary is a collection of words that you have learnt and stored up in your memory. Such words come to mind when you need them, especially when you are speaking or writing. There are countless words in the English language, and more words are being coined every day. So, it is impossible to know all the words.
In spite of that, you can learn new words. There are mobile apps that pop up new words and their meanings daily. You could learn new words from such apps, even on the go. You could also learn new words from reading articles, books, and even social media posts. The key is to check the meaning of any new word you come across and make a conscious effort to learn and memorise such words.
Secret 3: Write More to Write Better.
Have you ever gone back over an article you wrote years ago and found errors you believe should be corrected? Well, if you have, it is probably because you have become a better writer, over the years.
The more you write, the better you become at writing. Also, the more you write, the easier it is to get over writer’s block and lack of enthusiasm to write. Just like exercising strengthens your muscles, writing strengthens your writing skills. So, in order to become better at writing, you need to do more writing.
Secret 4: Read Other Writers’ Works.
Every writer has a style. Furthermore, everybody has an idiolect. ‘Idiolect’ refers to a set of words that a person uses often and is more likely to use, in comparison to other words.
When you read the works of other writers, you are bound to come across words outside your idiolect. This would introduce you to words you either never knew or never considered using. You could include such words in your idiolect or store them in your memory for random use, especially when your idiolect does not contain a synonym of such words.
Also, reading other writers’ works helps you learn new styles of writing. It helps you see how someone else uses a certain style, and how it could be emulated and adapted. The truth is writers learn from each other, as the saying goes ‘Art is imitation’.
Writing is a skill worth having. It is also a skill that you can learn. We hope you keyed into these secrets, and they help you become a better writer and possibly a published writer, someday.
Don’t forget to send us your manuscript at My Sharp Pen Editing Services, so we can edit and proofread it before you showcase it to the world. We look forward to hearing from you. Happy writing.
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