Being a writer allows you to explore the world differently. You get to read a lot and also have the chance to share your opinions with others in a persuasive way.
As a writer, you might hit roadblocks that can stop you from polishing your skills. The good news is that you can adopt some good practices to keep improving as a writer. Whether you’re a newbie or have been writing for some time, read this blog till the end to find thirteen actionable tips that can help you.
1. Get help from professionals
There’s nothing wrong with trying to overcome the challenges you face as a writer. But sometimes, it might be hard for you to improve yourself without getting help.
Connecting with professional and experienced writers who’ve been writing for a long time can help you greatly. For example, if you live in San Francisco, you should link up with editors in San Francisco and get your manuscript edited by them. Get help from professionals if possible to get good at writing without wasting your time.
2. Fix your Diet
Eating whatever you find “tasty” won’t help you enjoy great health. As a writer, you will be spending most of your time on your desk, and it’s therefore essential to fix your diet. You must avoid junk foods like pizzas and burgers that don’t provide any nutritional value.
Eat more vegetables and fruits to maintain the levels of nutrients in your body. Drink plenty of water to get rid of toxins and live a healthy life.
3. Start Hitting the Gym
As mentioned above, writers have a strict routine that requires them to sit in their chairs for long hours. Living a sedentary lifestyle and not having physical activities in your life will disturb your physical and mental health.
You should try hitting the gym daily to keep your health in check. Exercise maintains your body posture and triggers the release of serotonin, a hormone that can keep you focused on your writing routine.
4. Get adequate sleep
As a writer, you might be tempted to avoid sleeping at night and focus on your manuscript. Many writers throughout history have preferred writing instead of sleeping at night. Keep in mind that trying to write at night instead of sleeping will only affect your creativity.
You should get 6-7 hours of sleep at night to stay physically and mentally active. Getting adequate sleep will allow you to enjoy great health – so you can write an amazing book that people will love to read.
5. Maintain work-life balance
There’s a thin line between your professional and professional. As a writer, once you’re focused on a project, you might even start ignoring the fact that you can’t leave your personal life behind. You have to keep your life in check if you want to write a great book.
Take some time aside from your writing routine to focus on your personal activities. For example, if you have been planning to go on a trip for a long time, you should go on the trip instead of finishing your manuscript.
6. Build connections
As a writer, you might think you should focus on your writing skills instead of building connections. The bitter truth is that you cannot avoid making connections, as you’ll need connections to become a “published writer.” Make sure you join online and physical networking events to get in touch with fellow writers and publishing agents.
7. Improve your reading habits
Most writers have the habit of reading a ton of books. If you spend most of your time reading, you have to ensure that you read properly to make the most out of your time. Here are some reading habits you should adopt:
- Create a reading schedule.
- Monitor your levels of comprehension.
- Choose a proper reading strategy.
8. Explore the nature
As a writer, you might love spending your days and nights alone in the room. But you shouldn’t forget that most famous writers like Nietzsche confirmed that going out and exploring nature helped them get good ideas. Make sure you spend some time outside to appreciate the beauty of nature and
9. Use tech tools
Tech tools have made things easier for writers compared to the past. For example, you can write from anywhere you want using your laptop. Tech tools made for writers like Hemingway App can help you sharpen your writing skills. Make sure you explore tech tools and pick the ones that can help you as a writer.
10. Cut your screen time
You might have the habit of staring at the screen for a long time if you read books on your tablet or laptop. Reading digital books can help you save a lot of money, but the harsh blue rays from screens can disturb your health. Make sure you don’t use any electronic devices in bed and limit your time in front of the screen.
11. Think about your readers
As a writer, you have complete freedom to write about the topics you like. But keep in mind that this liberty also comes with a responsibility. You have to present your opinions in your writing so that readers find it exciting to read. Keep your readers in mind whenever you write and try to write sentences that your readers can easily comprehend.
12. Sharpen your critical thinking
Critical thinking is one of the most important abilities for a writer. Without being “critical,” you cannot see through things and form your opinions. You must improve your critical thinking skills to share valuable information in your books. Explore online resources to learn how to become a better critical thinker without enrolling in a class.
13. Learn from established writers
As a writer, one of the best things you can do to improve your learning skills is to learn from other writers. Most established writers have shared their thinking and writing strategies in detail. Make sure you learn how your favorite writer has improved themselves throughout their career, so you can easily overcome the problems you face as a writer.
