Getting better

[Zenith77]

Without a doubt my writing has improved with practice over the years. My most recent stuff is certainly better than what I've written before.

But what do you find helps you improve your writing? Is it just practice, or are there other things that have helped?

What inspires you?

 

[lovecraft68]

I think its just practice and of course wanting to get better is part of it.
I played this game a few months ago where I looked through my file and picked a story from different years to see where I could tell I was getting much better. Just the way I cringed at some of my first stories here was the biggest sign of where I am now. But there's always room for improvement.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

It hasn't been that long since I started, but I already see the improvement in grammar mostly, but also in story structure. I also plan a bit more ahead than I used to.

 

[SimonDoom]

1. Practice. Write a lot. This is number one, by far. You are almost guaranteed to improve if you do this.
2. Write mindfully. Pay careful attention to what you write. Regularly ask yourself, "Is that the best word for that job?" Develop the habit of being careful with your words and getting rid of unnecessary words.
3. Study. Read style guides. Have a dictionary, thesaurus, and grammar guides handy when you write and use them. I write at a desktop computer and within arm's reach I have several dictionaries, multiple style guides, a thesaurus, and the Chicago Manual of Style. There are some very useful "how-to" guides at this Site, and I've profited from reading them, too.
4. Read widely and often. I learn a ton by reading what others write. I read a wide variety of fiction and I think that helps too. Read authors with different prose styles. An advantage of reading a lot is it gives you a better sense of perspective. Writing is one of those things that people get a lot of funny ideas about, and those ideas can be put to the test by reading and finding out what successful authors actually do.

 

[tnhardon]

Without a doubt my writing has improved with practice over the years. My most recent stuff is certainly better than what I've written before.

But what do you find helps you improve your writing? Is it just practice, or are there other things that have helped?

What inspires you?

Practicing writing definitely helps improve your writing. The other thing I find helpful is reading works of people who are good writers. It helps teach you different forms of syntax, wording, etc. that you can then use in your own writing.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Practice and reading other, better writers. Not so that you copy them, but so you can see the gap between what you are doing and what they do. Then work on closing the gap.

 

[LongDraw]

Also, having an integrated software platform like Grammarly, ProWritingAid or AutoCrit to analyze and recommend corrections or improvements to your writing while creating your first draft. Some are free, others offer free trials, some have lifetime subscriptions available.

 

[NotWise]

Set personal goals for improvement. It might be hard to see those goals, but be self-critical and improve what you do, and look for help from others. Among other things, seek out detailed critiques, take negative feedback seriously, and take positive feedback with a grain of salt.

Experiment with different styles and methods. Set out "mindfully," as @SimonDoom said, to try new things then judge your success. Stretch what you do and how you do it.

Use writer's classes and workshops--even online. Learn formal guidance for good writing: the structure of a story, the components of a story, how to start or end stories, how to build characters, and so on. Most of these are not rules, but ideas for you to use in your own work.

Set higher technical standards. Spelling, grammar, reading levels, word choice, editing. That means, taking more time to polish your writing.

Write more.

 

[Zenith77]

Also, having an integrated software platform like Grammarly, ProWritingAid or AutoCrit to analyze and recommend corrections or improvements to your writing while creating your first draft. Some are free, others offer free trials, some have lifetime subscriptions available.

Yeah, there's grammar checks in Word. I usually turn them off after a while, they keep picking up on stuff I don't agree with. It's irritating reading back over stuff and seeing little blue lines under things only to think 'nah, that's exactly what I wanted it to say'.

 

[Zenith77]

Among other things, seek out detailed critiques, take negative feedback seriously, and take positive feedback with a grain of salt.

Detailed critiques... well, I've had 3 comments on my last story, so you mean like that?

A truly detailed critique would be a thing of beauty.

 

[LongDraw]

Yeah, there's grammar checks in Word. I usually turn them off after a while, they keep picking up on stuff I don't agree with. It's irritating reading back over stuff and seeing little blue lines under things only to think 'nah, that's exactly what I wanted it to say'.

Funny thing I've found with that is a lot of times, while the grammar checker made a poor suggestion, there was a flaw there that experienced editors pointed out later.

Also, use of OneStopForWriters has been a god send for me in organizing my thoughts for my book overall. Just sucks they don't have lifetime pricing.

 

[NotWise]

Detailed critiques... well, I've had 3 comments on my last story, so you mean like that?

A truly detailed critique would be a thing of beauty.

No, that isn't what I mean.

Within the forum universe, go over to the Feedback forum and ask for a critique. Tell them what story your category is in, how long it is, give them an idea of content and what your goals are. Then wait. There are also threads there in which people offer to read and offer detailed critique. Mr. Doom has one. If your ready for some potentially rough handling, then Omenainen and AwkwardMD have a great one.

On a more on-going basis, look for good beta readers, and ask them to tear into any weak point they see.

 

[Zenith77]

No, that isn't what I mean.

I was being sarcastic, sorry.

Within the forum universe, go over to the Feedback forum and ask for a critique. Tell them what story your category is in, how long it is, give them an idea of content and what your goals are. Then wait. There are also threads there in which people offer to read and offer detailed critique. Mr. Doom has one. If your ready for some potentially rough handling, then Omenainen and AwkwardMD have a great one.

That's grand, thanks. I'll definitely look into that. Who doesn't like a bit of rough?