For New Writers: 3 Power Tips for Becoming a More Better Writer
By Steve Maurer.
Yeah, I know. That’s not the most grammatically perfect headline you’ve ever read. In fact, I’m sure that my high school English teacher would be rolling her eyes and throwing her hands up in disbelief, thinking she’d taught me better. Bless her heart! Nevertheless, if you’ve read this far, then that horrid headline has done its primary job: getting your attention.
The three power tips in this article are not concerned so much with improving your writing skills as they are with refining your abilities as a writer. Confused yet? There are boatloads of resources out there to turn you into a perfect punctuationalist or a proficient grammaratician. Some are listed below.
However, this article doesn’t deal with syntax and structure, adverbial clauses, comma splices or even the dreaded dangling marsupial, uh, participle. These tips are meant to improve your confidence level as a writer and, consequently, to transform you into a better one.
The Power of Association
John Donne, the English clergyman and poet, wrote this about the human condition in his work, Meditation XVII:
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less . . .
The entire passage, written in 1624, tells of the interconnectedness of people, the idea that each of us has an integral part in the overall community that is humanity. Even you!
Heavy stuff, huh?
Interconnectedness spills over into the world of freelance writing as well. We aren’t monks sequestered away in our candlelit cubicles, slaving away with parchment, quill and ink, feverishly hand-crafting some obscure tome.
Unfortunately, many new writers feel that they must work alone, devoid of human contact, as they attempt to master their craft. Nothing could be further from the truth.
It’s time to get off the island, my friend.
Successful writers know that association with other writers is vital to growth. No one person knows it all, but we can all grow together by hanging out with others of our own ilk. In the classic 1937 book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill outlines the Master-Mind principle used by Andrew Carnegie.
In a nutshell, the melding of minds and sharing of ideas leads to an entity that is greater and more powerful than the individuals alone. Each person’s talents and knowledge contributes to the whole of the experience.
Man, heavy stuff again!
As a new writer, you should start associating with other writers. You can learn from both their successes and their challenges, get some counseling and ask them your burning questions. In fact, you’ll have a great opportunity to do that in a few minutes. At the end of this article there will be a place to make comments.
Many new writers never add a comment, often afraid of looking stupid or uninformed. Understand that the comments section is a safe haven in which to ask questions, request clarification and share your own experiences. Really, you need to write a comment! We need to hear from you!
Remember that you are a piece of the continent too.
I’d suggest that you become part of a writers’ group as well. Three that I belong to and recommend are:
- The Freelance Writers Den This a group geared toward helping freelancers perfect their craft.
- The Writers’ Huddle Here’s a place to hang out with all kinds of writers, fiction and non-fiction. These writers’ sites have great lessons and seminars to help you improve.
- The Writer’s Digest This site contains information for every type of writer.
My favorite part has always been the community forum. You can ask questions, get advice and have your work critiqued. Join a group and learn to ask questions, no matter how silly you think they sound. Understand that the only stupid question is the one that isn’t asked!
If you don’t know, then you need to ask!
We’ve all been there and still are. I may have gray hairs (and less of them than yesterday), but I can still learn from anyone. New writers are especially invaluable to me; they remind me of the basics and get my writing back on track.
Joining a writers’ association is an investment in your writing and yourself.
The Power of Investing In Yourself
You need to invest in other tools that will improve your mechanical writing skills as well. To start with, there are just three things you really need: a place to sit, something to write with, and an educated brain from which to pull your ideas. The first two are easy, so let’s concentrate on the third one.
You need to invest in items that will improve the mechanics of your writing. In a word: books. Books on grammar and punctuation should be in your library. I would suggest:
- The Blue Book of Grammar by the late Jane Straus, available in most bookstores.
- The Only Grammar Book You’ll Ever Need by Susan Thurman, also available in bookstores.
- The current edition of The Associated Press Stylebook, a must-have if you intend to write news articles and similar pieces. You can purchase it online; however, check your local college or university bookstore. I got mine cheaper there.
Purchase instructional books and e-books and take classes from successful writers in the fields of writing that interest you. You can take classes ranging from the craft of writing to the business of freelancing, both online and offline. They are well worth the price of admission. Here are a few I would suggest if you want to be a copywriter:
- The 4 Week J-School with Linda Formichelli and Carol Tice. By the way, homework is involved!
- The Freelance Writer’s Class from Daily Writing Tips. Sign up for the newsletter while you’re at it.
- AWAI’s 6 Figure Copywriter course. Lots of good material throughout the site.
- Just about anything written by Bob Bly, America’s copywriter. I have six of his books.
Free newsletters are offered by all of these resources. Note: If you are signed up for too many newsletters you can get overloaded. Keep only the subscriptions you actually read.
There are many more great informational resources out there as well. Which ones do you need? Well, you could start by asking for advice in a forum or blog comment section. And remember that while free can be good, it’s not always best. Ask someone who’s been there if it’s worth your time.
Sometimes you really do need to spend money to make money. But spend it wisely.
The Power of Prolific Writing
The more you write, the better you get. I’m not going to tell you how much you need to write, just that you need to write more. Even when you don’t have an order to fill or an article to spec, you need to write. It’s the only way to get ëmore better’ that I know. No pills, no creams, no magic potions.
Just write more.
Consider the humble pendulum. It swings back and forth, its arc getting smaller with each pass. Eventually the pendulum will come to rest at the center, sometimes moving slightly with the rotation of the earth. That, my friend, is your writing. Your writing will swing from the ridiculous to the sublime, back and forth, until it comes to rest on center.
And that center is you, your voice and your style.
Your writing may vary some with the ‘rotation’ of your clients, but it will remain close to center. The more you write, the faster you will find that center. So, how do you write more if you don’t have an order to fill or a submission to send out? Here are a few ideas for you:
- Start a fun blog on something you enjoy. Set a regular publishing schedule and maybe a word count for the post. This can be your first deadline! Be tough on yourself!
- Read articles in magazines or items in the newspapers. Hey, read the back of cereal boxes! You’ll find different styles of writing (some of which you should avoid!) and this will help you develop your own style. Rewrite the articles several times until they sound like you.
- Observe life around you and write about it. Go for a walk or a drive or take a day trip. Talk to people you meet. Write about your experiences and share it with a friend or family member. Get a little impromptu critique! Use different formats: a news article, a personal essay or a reported essay. You could even write it up as advertising copy. Get creative!
There you have it; three power tips to become a ‘more better’ writer. Now it’s your turn to jump off the island, climb onto the continent and post your questions, ideas and suggestions!
We would be the less without you!
Steve Maurer is a freelance writer in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He’s been writing for the Web since 2001, including articles, ad copy and blog posts for clients around the globe and in some small towns. You can contact him at http://www.maurer-copywriting.com .
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Great advice as usual, Steve.
I absolutely agree with you that contact with other writers is crucial — and one of the lovely things about the online world is that it contains writers a-plenty.
One of the biggest struggles that I see new writers having is finding their voice — and you give great tips here for doing that. I particularly like your point that the more you write, the faster you’ll find that sweet spot in the center.
Thank you, Ali!
The online community of writers is fantastic and a person can always find a mentor or sounding-board for their ideas. The Writers’ Huddle has certainly been that for me!
Steve
The power of the posse! I am a true believer. We can read books, articles, and take classes, but our real learning comes from doing and interacting with others. Don’t mistake me. I first try to educate myself, then I have something to bring to the party. But that dance back and forth between new learning and community vetting, now that’s magic.
Hi, Lara!
I totally agree with you. We are responsible for our own learning, but we definitely benefit from bouncing ideas and questions off each other.
Thank you so much for sharing; that’s what it’s all about!
Steve
P.S. Love your site,lady! I have a brother who owns a pool cleaning service in Hawaii. I’d love to visit there one day. He’d probably put me to work!
Thanks for this Steve! As a new writer I find myself feeling very very small in the big world of writing. This article was encouraging and I will definitely be following up with some of these resources.
Hi, Kate!
Feel small no more! There are always experienced writers that are willing to help you when you get stuck. This site is a good place to start the learning process. Linda has provided a ton of great information for writers here.
What type of writing are you pursuing? I might be able to make some suggestions as to where you would find specialized help.
Have a great day!
You can do this writing thing. Climb onto the continent!
Steve
Thanks Steve! Right now I’m writing for my blog, mostly humor in parenting and life in general. Sometimes I write thought-provoking spiritual stuff. I write whatever I’m experiencing at the moment. I feel like I need help with someone (gently) pointing out specific problem areas in my writing that I can work on. I don’t have many opportunities to get feedback. I joined Scribophile, but haven’t had much time to spend on it yet.
Hey,Kate!
I remember your comment from my last article post, 6 Tips . . ., and I checked out your site at that time. Went there again today and it appears as though your writing is becoming much more fluid and easy to read. Great improvement, young lady! Keep up the good work!
Steve
I just saw this comment after I posted my comment. Thanks for the encouragement! I can definitely see improvement the more I write.
Going to check out some Bob Bly books from the library right now. (Well, sort of. I’ll order them at least. Too early for the library to be open!)
After nearly three years of solo junk web writing, I’m learning how important connecting with other writers can be! Loving the Freelance Writers Den right now.
Steve is having trouble posting a reply to this so I’m posting it for him:
Hi, Abby!
My wife and I are transplanted Hoosiers. We were both born and raised in the Warsaw/Winona Lake area. Now living in the great state of Arkansas.
I looked at your site and you seem to have a lot of skills to offer! You should stay down-write busy!
Anything written by Bob Bly is well worth the read. I have several of his books, including Getting Started as a Freelance Writer and 88 Money-Making Writing Jobs.
His site, http://www.bly.com , is full of good resources, both free and retail. Mr. Bly was primarily a print copywriter in the beginning, but has gotten into online writing in the last couple of years.He is one of the icons of the industry.
Nick Usborne is one of my favorites for online copywriting. A native of Canada, he’s written full-time for the web for about 14 or 15 years.
He was a print copywriter for about 15 years as well. http://www.nickusborne.com/
He has a great course, Copywriting 2.0, on the American Writers and Artists, Inc. site. They are running a discount until Friday, if you’re interested. I’m taking it now and it’s fantastic.
Speaking of which, if you’re really serious about all things copywriting, you should check out AWAI’s site at http://www.awaionline.com .
The courses are not cheap, but they are of excellent quality. There is a boatload of free reports as well.
Of course, The Renegade Writer is always a great place to hang out. Linda has provided a lot of great material here.
Well, I’d better go. I just wanted to respond to your comment. It was much appreciated. Have a great day and here’s to your success.
Steve
P.S. (they always read the P.S.) I hope you signed up for Chris Marlow’s teleseminar in The Den tomorrow. Sounds like a great opportunity. See you there!
Thank you, Linda!
Steve
Steve,
I have been writing for 15 years and have recently converted my work to a series of essays and short stories (at a recent PNWA conference, three agencies said they would look at my work from my pitch). I am not sure how to say this, but having had so much “taken” from me in my lifetime, I am afraid to post my work for review, because of concerns someone will like it, take it, and run with it.
I am new to the community part of writing and wondering how best to be part of it.
In regards to starting a blog, it seems for novel writers, that they can post from their life experiences, but for those of us writing memoir/narrative non-fiction, that’s what we want to publish.
Any suggestions?
Hi, CeeJae!
To the last part of your reply:
Blogs can be about anything and written by anyone. Personally, I’m a copywriter, writng ad copy, blog posts and articles for various commercial clients. However, my blogs are about computer tips and vegetable gardening. (Wow, talk about two polar opposites!)
http://stevesnotebook.wordpress.com and http://stevesnotebook2.wordpress.com
The point is that a blog keeps you writing more. Your field of memoirs and narrative non-fiction would definitely be a good fit. Think serial articles, a series of ongoing work.
As for your first concern, I understand where you’re coming from on that. That’s why it’s important to check out any group you join, discovering their policies and practices. A group formed by an established writer should be a safe forum for your work.
I would highly recommend that you contact Ali Luke with your concerns. She’s the first poster in this comment section. Just click on her name an you will be taken to her main website.
Ali is a great writing coach and mentor, founder of The Writers’ Huddle to which I belong. Drop her a short email asking for her opinion and be sure to tell her I sent you. She’s quite a busy lady, but often will reply with good advice. She’s been a help and inspiration to me over the past eight or nine months.
The Writers’ Huddle forum is a great place to post a piece for critique, and a safe place as well. I don’t know if membership is open at this time, but you might ask Ali.
The Freelance Writers Den is another safe place to post work for critique. Both of these have a paid membership requirement. That often will keep out the people who would steal others’ work.
Hope this helps; let me know if you need more information.
Have a wonderful day,
Steve
Steve,
Thank you for getting back to me and for what you have shared. I had a tooth pulled this am, so need to keep my tasks short today.
I did check out both of those groups and they indicate they are closed, but I will contact Ali in a day or so and run my concerns by her. Thank you for the referral.
I’ll check out your blogs as well soon!
Best regards,
Ceejae
Hi, CeeJae!
From what I understand, The Writers’ Huddle will be opening up for a short time in October to accept new members.
If you contact Ali, please expect a little delay in the reply. We all just found out that she and her husband, Paul, are expecting a little bundle of joy! Be patient, but I’m sure she’ll get back with you as soon as possible.
Have a wonderful day,
Steve
I went to her site, saw that and know how that is! (I have two and the second made me feel like a wind up doll running down — I just got slower and slower with everything as the days wore on.)
Thanks for your time on this and for the couple of valuable posts I have read in the past couple of weeks!
Ceejae
[...] For New Writers: Three Tips For Becoming A More Better Writer [...]
Hi, Wendy!
Thanks so much for the link to my article that you placed on your website. It is very much apppreciated!
Steve
PS. I read your article on using Scrivener. I use Scrivener for some of my non-fiction work as well. Great program for both PC and Mac.
You are most welcome, Steve. It was a great article and I’m sure my readers will enjoy visiting to read this. I’m taking a few notes on your tips myself!
Glad you liked the Scrivener post. It seems to be popular. Scrivener is my go to program for organizing my writing. I don’t know how I got along without it.
Take care and I’ll be stopping by your blog again.
This post has probably been the most helpful post I looked at! I am a new writer and your advice is perfect!! Thank you sooooo much!!
Hi, Kerri.
I’m glad that you found it useful.
I wish you the best of succes with your writing!
Steve
I can’t believe how many people claim to desire a career in a particular field but who don’t actually practice the craft of that field. You want to be a licensed barber but, gee, you’re not cutting hair. You’d love to be a pianist but the baby grand in your dining room is seldom played.
So it is with writing. Who doesn’t—at some point in their life—dream of becoming a successful writer?
Unfortunately, most folks simply won’t write frequently enough and stick with it for enough years to bring their craft up to a level of even mediocrity let alone professional marketability. And if there’s one thing the world of written content is filled with it’s mediocrity.
Speaking of mediocrity…I always fancied myself as a quite capable
wordsmith. Some time ago, I took quite a few years off, writing literally nothing save the occasional business correspondence.
When I came back to writing I was stunned by how God-awful I had become. Although I felt reasonably healthy it seemed like my writing had suffered a brain embolism and was in dire need of life support. I would stare in disbelief at misspelled words wondering how in the hell do I spell that. (This from a former fourth grade spelling bee semi champion.)
My once visual, compelling style had been replaced by a bumbling, clumsy, drab yammering that was completely foreign to me. Ugly, short, staccato sentence was the best I could muster rather than the long, flowing, complex structures of my youth.
I tried for many months to get back on a proper footing, without much success.
Finally, I did something that would seem obvious but yet I had over looked. During that writing sabbatical I had also stopped reading. I went to the second hand store and loaded up on literally hundreds of quarter and fifty cent paper backs. I began devouring them, devoting hours each day to reading.
It was only when I had digested many examples of both bad and superb writing–things to imitate as well as things to avoid–that I began to make a gradual come back.
As you say, sir: Write a lot. Read a lot. It’s hard to get very far without either.
Hi, Adam!
You, sir, are absolutely “write.” One exercise that an aspiring writer must do is read. And read everything. The different voices, styles, sentence structures of various writers will help in the process of developing your own personal style.
By the way, I’ve read some of your blog posts and you seem to be back in the saddle again. Interesting thought, put interestingly.
Glad to see you’re back among us!
Steve
Hi Steve,
Great post! I can so identify with lots of your points…
I agree blogging keeps you writing, in fact, it has made me realise I enjoy writing non fiction. I joined the Writers’ Huddle too, and find the advice invaluable, I’m learning lots as well as interacting with other writers in the forums.
Now I need to set myself a few goals.
Hi, Maria!
Good to see you over here. This is a good place to learn about non-fiction writing, especially magazine article writing and such.
I’ve read your post on the Huddle forum. If I can help, let me know!
Have a wonderful day in the UK,
Steve
Thank you for the welcome Steve, I’ll perhaps take you up on the offer of help. May need to pick your brain at some point.
in the meantime, I’ll be dropping by to read more of your posts.
Thank you for being so encouraging, Steve. I haven’t read all of the comments yet but your article alone was fantastic. It makes me want to go and journal. So far I have not been published in my 27 years; I’ve written many letters and many more pages in journals, and of course the writing required for 13 years of school. As I do not need to earn money, being a stay-at-home mother/housewife with a providing husband, I am not currently aiming for publication anywhere, but I hope to do that in the far future. My high school journalism teacher taught us to read a lot and write a lot. What other books do you recommend? I mostly read biographies, like “The Life of Saint Dominic Savio” by Saint Don (John) Bosco and various biographies of Saint Catherine of Siena.
Thanks again, and happy writing! God bless you all.
Thank you very much, Corrine!
All good writers will agree that reading is essential. If you are considering writing a book, I would suggest that you use a mind mapping software. This would allow you to create spacially instead of linearly. Very similar to a flow chart. I use XMind found here:
http://www.xmind.net/
The free version would be perfect for your needs.
Biographies are excellent as they are written to tell a story, one of the most effective ways to write anything, even ad copy.
If you are interested in writing professionally, I would highly recommend that you check out the Americal Writers and Artists, Inc. website. The courses are not inexpesive, but they are worth the money. And the staff, yes they have a staff, are great to work with and the customer service is excellent. They do have courses specifically designed for writing for the Christian market.
They can be found at: http://www.awaionline.com/
Here’s a thought for you: You may not need to earn money for yourself, but might you be able to write professionally and donate or designate the money to a worthy cause. Your talents can be used to help others in need.
Many charitable organizations could use a good writer to promote their cause and create their materials as well.
Have a wonderful day,
~Steve