Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Improve Your Language
• Method 2 of 4: Read to Write
• Method 3 of 4: Practice More
• Method 4 of 4: Create a story
• Tips
• Warnings

Do you dream of becoming a great novelist, the new Dostoevsky or Fitzgerald? Or do you just want to learn how to express yourself more consistently? Whether you are writing fiction or just school essays, you can always use our advice and take a few steps towards excellence. To become a great - or just a good - writer, you need to know a lot and constantly hone your craft. But hard work bears fruit, and maybe one day someone will dream of becoming the new you!

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Improve Your Language

1. 1 Use a valid voice, not a passive voice. One of the most common examples of bad literary speech is the abuse of the passive voice. An example of a valid voice: "The vampire bit the guy." An example of a passive voice: "The guy was bitten by a vampire." As you can see, the second example is more verbose and (like a vampire) sucks life out of your text, giving it a dry, formal sound. Learn to avoid such constructions whenever possible.
   • Using the passive voice isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it is not possible to write a sentence in an active voice beautifully and clearly, or you deliberately want to construct a phrase in a passive voice so that it carries a certain connotation. However, you should first learn to abide by the rule, and only then allow yourself exceptions.
   • The main exception to this rule is the scientific style, in which the passive voice is used very widely, shifting the emphasis from the subject (researcher) to the object (result). For example, the sentence "the puppies' diet was changed, after which three out of ten were diagnosed with stomach upset" tells about the results of the experiment, not about who conducted it.
2. 2 Use strong words. Good literary language, whether we're talking about a novel or a school essay, is precise, memorable, and carries an element of surprise. Find the right adjective or verb, and an unremarkable sentence turns into a genius phrase that people will remember and quote years later. Choose the most accurate words. Try not to repeat the same word over and over again, unless you want to create a special rhythm in this way.
   • An exception is words that describe a dialogue. Bad text is replete with turns "he commented", "she said," "he was horrified." A rare and thoughtful use of such words will bring your work to life, but in most cases a simple "said" will be enough. You were probably taught in school that you can't use "said" and "said" all the time, but too much variety of synonyms will make it difficult to read and distract the reader from the line of dialogue. If you can't do without them, lean towards at least emotionally neutral "asked" and "answered" rather than "growled" and "screamed." But it is better to have a minimum of author's words in your dialogue: indicate at the beginning where whose remark is, and then let the characters speak for themselves
   • Strong and bright words do not mean difficult or obscure. Don't say exploit when you can say exploit. "Idiosyncrasy" doesn't always sound better than "disgust." If you are sure that the word "permanent" is perfect, use it - but if not, write "permanent".
   • A synonym dictionary or thesaurus may be helpful, but use them with care. Consider the nuances, relevance, ambiguity of words. Agree that although "homo sapiens" is the scientific name of a person, and the heart can be called the center or focus of something, but if instead of "a person with a hot heart" you write "homo sapiens with a hot focus", it will be very stupid! If you intend to use the thesaurus to expand your vocabulary, check the dictionary for the exact meaning of the words you found.
3. 3 Remove excess. Writing well means writing simply, clearly, and clearly.There is no need to use fifty words where twenty is enough, or to insert pretentious polysyllabic words into the text just because they are longer. A good writer chooses the right words rather than trying to fill an entire page. At first, the idea of ​​collecting a lot of thoughts and details in one sentence may sound good to you, but in reality it will be difficult to read. If the words do not carry any semantic load, you can safely delete them.
   • Adverbs are a classic "crutch" that mediocre authors rely on, and often their role is to overload the sentence. Appropriately used adverbs adorn the story, but often they only duplicate the meaning of the verb or adjective to which they refer, or instead of a construction with an adverb, one, more capacious word can be used. Do not write "yelled loudly" - yelling and so can only be loud. If you notice that your text is overflowing with adverbs, it's time to take a deep breath and decisively get rid of the excess, leaving only the necessary.
   • Sometimes it is better to delete unnecessary things at the editing stage. Don't be obsessed with phrasing every sentence right away; write down your thoughts as they are, and then polish carefully and remove unnecessary ones.
   • Written text does not exist in a vacuum; his perception is directly related to the reader's imagination. There is no need to describe every detail if only a couple of essential details are enough for the reader to figure out the rest. Place the necessary anchor points, and let the reader connect them himself.
4. 4 Show, don't tell. Don't tell your readers what you can show. Do not tire them with long explanations of the heroes' past or the importance of this or that event for the development of the plot, but let them learn about it from the words, actions and feelings of the characters. This is one of the most important lessons in writing that a fiction writer can learn and put into practice.
   • For example, the sentence "after reading the letter, Sophia got angry" tells to the reader about how Sophia felt, but does not draw any picture in the reader's imagination. Boring and unconvincing. But "Sophia crumpled the letter, threw it into the fireplace and flew out of the room, slamming the door." shows us the heroine in anger, without naming her feelings directly. This is a much more effective trick. Readers believe what they see, not what they are told.
5. 5 Avoid clichés. Clichés are phrases, thoughts or phrases that are used so often that they have already become commonplace. Usually they are so general that the reader does not even remember them. Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, getting rid of clichés will only benefit it.
   • "It was a dark, rainy night" is a typical example of such a cliché phrase. Compare it with the first lines of several famous works.
     • "It was a cold, clear April day, and the clock struck thirteen." - George Orwell, 1984. Not night, not dark and not rainy, but you immediately feel that something is wrong.
     • "The sky above the port was like a TV screen on a dead channel." - William Gibson, "Neuromancer" (novel in which the word "cyberspace" first appeared). This phrase not only paints a picture of the weather, but immediately plunges the reader into the dark world of the book.
     • "It was the most beautiful time, it was the most unfortunate time - an age of wisdom, an age of madness, days of faith, days of unbelief, a time of light, a time of darkness, a spring of hopes, a chill of despair, we had everything ahead, we had nothing ahead of us , we either soared in the heavens, then suddenly fell into the underworld - in a word, this time was very similar to the present, and its most vociferous representatives even then demanded that they say nothing differently about it - whether in a good or a bad sense as in superlatives. " - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities.Not only the weather, but also feelings, hope, despair - the author prepares the reader for everything.
   • Avoid clichés when writing about yourself. The phrase "I am a sociable person" does not say anything definite about you. But say that you can easily find a common language with people, including in the most direct sense, since you grew up in a bilingual family and lived in six countries as a child, and the reader will immediately understand what you are.
6. 6 Avoid generalizations. Broad generalizations are one of the hallmarks of a weak text. For example, a scientific essay might say, "We are more progressive today than people were a hundred years ago." This statement contains baseless assumptions and does not define what "progressive" means. Be specific and precise. A short story or a school essay will only benefit if you cleanse them of generalizations.
   • This also applies to fiction. Don't allow yourself to build statements from scratch. For example, just because your character is a woman doesn't mean that she automatically has to be more emotional, gentle, or kind than a male character. Such stereotypes force us to write stereotypically, neglecting the variety of possibilities that real life offers.
7. 7 Argument what has been said. Do not indulge in speculation without proof of your claims. This is similar to the "show, don't tell" principle of fiction. Don't say, for example, that without a strong police force, our society will fall apart. Why? How can you confirm this? Explain how you came to this conclusion so that readers can see that you know what you are talking about. Then they will decide whether to agree with you or not.
8. 8 Use metaphors and comparisons with care. While a good metaphor or comparison will make your text strong and flamboyant, an unsuccessful one can make it as weak as a baby (this was a weak comparison, by the way). Overuse of metaphors and comparative phrases hints that you are not confident in your words and therefore rely on figures of speech to make a more convincing impression. In addition, they tend to become clichés.
   • A mixed metaphor means a combination of two metaphors, often with incongruous meaning. For example, "although we are forced to play in a foreign field, our arrows shoot without missing." Either football or archery - but not both together! If you are not sure that a metaphor makes sense and does not look like a strained attempt at wit, correct it or delete it.
9. 9 Break the rules. The best writers not only know how to follow rules, but also know when and how to break them. You do not have to stay within the traditional grammar and the tips we have provided if you know that not following them will improve your writing. The key is to write well enough for readers to see that you are breaking the rules on purpose and knowingly.
   • As with everything, moderation is important here. The witty rhetorical question in the first line will have an effect. Six rhetorical questions in a row will no longer be so effective. Be selective when deciding when and why to break the rules.
10. 10 Edit, edit and edit. Editing is one of the most important parts of writing. When you've finished a chapter or work, put it aside for a day and then reread it with a fresh eye. Correct the incomprehensible, cross out entire fragments - do everything to improve your text. When done, re-read it again. And then - more.
    • Some people confuse editing and proofreading. Of course, both processes are important, but editing is about the content and structure of the text. Don't get hung up on certain words or phrases and don't be afraid to change them if you find that other phrases will express your idea more clearly, more effectively, or more beautifully. Proofreading is more of a technical process aimed at checking grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting.

Method 2 of 4: Read to Write

1. 1 Pick one or ten good books. Whether you are writing an epic novel or an article for a popular science magazine, get acquainted with the outstanding works of your genre; it will improve your own skill. Read and comprehend the work of great and important writers to see what can be expressed in words and what will resonate with readers. By immersing yourself in good literature, you will expand your vocabulary, broaden your horizons, and fuel your imagination.
   • Pay attention to different ways of storytelling and different construction of works.
   • Try to compare the approaches of different authors to the same topic, see what they have in common and what is the difference. For example, compare "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Tolstoy and "The Snow of Kilimanjaro" by Hemingway.
   • Remember that even if you are writing nonfiction or scientific articles, reading outstanding writing patterns will help you improve. The better you know how differently you can convey the same thoughts to the reader, the more varied and original you will be able to write yourself.
2. 2 Take note of cultural allusions. You may not notice it, but the books and films are full of references and quotations from classical literature. By reading the classics, you will build a kind of cultural foundation that will serve as the basis for your creativity.
3. 3 Understand why this or that classic is considered great. You can read The Catcher in the Rye, but not grasp the essence or appreciate it. If that happens, try reading a couple of articles or acclaimed critics to find out why the book has had such an impact on literature. You may discover a deeper meaning that you missed when reading. Understanding what makes great books great is one of the most important skills for a writer striving for excellence.
   • This also applies to non-fiction and academic texts. Take a few works of recognized authors in your field and analyze them. What do they have in common? How do they write? Where can you take an example from them?
4. 4 Go to the theater. Plays are written to be staged on stage. If you cannot understand and feel a literary work, watch its production. If you don't find a production, read the piece aloud. Get into the thoughts of the characters. Hear how the language sounds.
   • The play, to a greater extent than the cinema, embodies words that come to life: the only "filter" between the author's pen and your perception is the director's vision and the acting.
5. 5 Read magazines, newspapers, blogs - whatever. Literature is not the only source of ideas. The real world is full of amazing people, places, and events that your writing mind can draw inspiration from. A good writer should be aware of the major events of the day.
6. 6 Learn to be less influenced. This happens all the time: you are reading a genius novel and you are eager to immediately write your own. But as you sit down at your desk, you notice that your style is unoriginal, as if you are just imitating the author you just read. Learn from the greats - but develop your own voice. To make it sound again, do an exercise in the free-writing technique (write down all thoughts in a row, without thinking or correcting), re-read your past compositions, or just take a walk.

Method 3 of 4: Practice More

1. 1 Buy a notebook. Not just any notebook, but in a sturdy hardcover to carry with you at all times. An idea can visit you anywhere, and you need to record on paper a rapidly elusive thought before it is forgotten, like a dream last week ... yes, that one ... it was amazing ... just what was it about ?!
2. 2 Write down any ideas that come to mind. Headings, subheadings, topics, characters, situations, phrases, metaphors - write down anything that will help spark your imagination when you're ready.
   • If you don't feel inspired to compose, try taking notes of what you see.Describe how the waiters work at your favorite coffee shop and how late afternoon sunshine illuminates your desk. The habit of paying attention to specific details is sure to come in handy, whether you're writing poetry or newspaper articles.
3. 3 Finish your notebook and start a new one. When the notebook is finished, include the dates and contents of the notebook on the cover so that the next time your inspiration needs a boost, you can easily find the notes you want.
4. 4 Join the writing community. One of the best ways to develop your skills and stay motivated is to connect with others and get feedback on your work. Find an interest group, association, or writers' club in your city or on the Internet. Members of such communities usually read each other's works and then discuss what they liked, what they did not like, and what could be improved and how. You can see that not only getting feedback from others, but giving your own opinion will be a valuable lesson and help you improve your skills.
   • Meetings and discussions aren't just for fiction writers! Academic writing can also be improved by having friends or colleagues read them. It also motivates you to share your ideas and listen to others.
5. 5 Write every day. Keep a diary or blog, write letters to friends, or just take an hour to write about anything. Pick a topic and get started. The topic itself is completely irrelevant - it is important to sit down and write. And write more. And write again. Writing takes practice: it's like muscles that can only be strengthened and built with regular exercise.

Method 4 of 4: Create a story

1. 1 Pick a theme and outline your story. It doesn't have to be detailed, just set the direction in which the plot will develop. For example, the classic plot of a Hollywood melodrama: a guy meets a girl, a guy loves a girl, a guy loses a girl, a guy reunites with a girl, and in the finale everyone is happy. (More scenes will be added later.)
2. 2 Write a plan. You probably really want to start writing and thinking out the storylines and twists right away as you move forward. Do not do that! Even the simplest plan will help you get the big picture and save you hours of rewriting. Start with a general outline and gradually develop it. Lay the foundations of your story, populate it with at least the main characters for now, determine the setting, time and atmosphere.
   • If some part of the plan cannot be described in a few words, break it down into sub-points and work on each separately.
3. 3 Leave room to add new characters and clarify who they are. Give everyone a short story. Even if it is not included in your work, it will help you to better imagine how the character will behave in the proposed circumstances.
4. 4 Don't be afraid to jump forward or backward. If you suddenly have a brilliant idea of ​​a denouement, write it down, even if you are still working on the first chapter! Don't let ideas go to waste.
5. 5 Write your first draft. You are now ready to start with the story itself - the first draft of it. With a blueprint, breathe life into your characters and storytelling.
   • Don't get stuck at this stage. While you are writing a draft, you do not need to think about each wording for a long time - now it does not matter. It is much more important to collect and state all your thoughts.
6. 6 Let history lead you. Let the story develop on its own, and maybe it will take an unexpected but very interesting turn. You are the director of events, but leave room for improvisation in them.
   • If you have thought enough about what your characters are, what they want and why, then they themselves will begin to tell you how to write.
7. 7 Finish the first draft. Don't delay to polish the details, just let the story unfold on paper.If, after writing two-thirds of the story, you realize that your heroine is in fact an ambassador to India, mark this and complete the story with her in the role of ambassador. Don't go back or rewrite scenes with her until you've finished the first draft.
8. 8 Rewrite. Remember that this was only the first draft? Now you will have to rewrite everything from the very beginning, this time already knowing all the details of the story, which will make your characters more realistic and believable. Now you you knowwhat he does on the plane and why she is dressed like a punk.
9. 9 Write everything down to the end. By the time you finish the second draft, you will already have complete information about your story, its characters, basis and subplots.
10. 10 Read the story and share it. Once you've completed your second draft, it's time to read it, trying to be impartial and objective. Give it to a couple of close friends who you trust to read it.
11. 11 Write the final version. Armed with your own notes after reading the story, as well as comments from friends or a publisher, rewrite it again, now perfecting it. Make ends meet, resolve conflicts, remove unnecessary characters.

Tips

• Creativity is bound to bring joy. Or not, the work must be born in pain. In fact, it all depends on who you ask. You may feel elated or empty. There is no one rule for everyone on how to write and how to feel. Find your way.
• If at first you do not like the idea, still give it a chance - it may lead you somewhere.
• Don't be confused if the first draft doesn't work. It is almost never successful. Keep this in mind as you read it, and edit without regret!
• Try to go with the flow. But do not overdo it, because otherwise you will miss out on details or your thoughts will become too hard to read. Monitor your mind at all times.

Warnings

• Choose your words carefully. There is no quicker way to sound illiterate than to use a word in the wrong sense and in the wrong context. If you are unsure of a word, look up it in the dictionary and make sure you understand its meaning and possible connotations correctly.
• Don't plagiarize! The appropriation of other people's words or ideas is a serious violation of ethics and even the law in science, journalism and literature. If you are caught plagiarizing, you can be expelled, fired, included on a publisher's blacklist, or prosecuted. Never do this.