How to Establish a Writing Practice

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

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To write better, we must write more. Writing, like anything else, requires practice in order to become proficient or at least to improve over time. But unlike tennis or the piano, many people do not see writing as something that requires practice, and so establishing a practice seems difficult. If you want to be a better writer, follow these suggestions.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Step1

Start small. Set aside some time each day, even ten minutes, that you can devote to writing.

Step2

Develop the habit of writing at the same time each day. If you're a morning person, write early in the day. Perhaps you can carve 1 to 15 minutes from your lunch hour each day. If you're more energized and motivated in the evening, write before you go to bed.

Step3

Push your schedule and commit time to writing. Get up 15 minutes early or stay up 15 minutes later than usual. Commit that time specifically to writing.

Step4

Start a writer's journal in a small notebook that you keep with you all the time. Jot down ideas to write about, words or phrases to develop or story ideas. List interesting details of someone in the coffee shop or your office of the park. Later, use the ideas when you sit down to write even for a short time.

Step5

Cut a few of index cards into narrow strips three inches long. On each one write the name of a color, a number from 1 to 10, the name of a city or any words you find interesting. Collect these words in an envelope. When you sit down to write, draw out one word and write on it in your notebook for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step6

Flex your writing muscle by finding time to read. Examine what it is that makes you like certain authors. Notice word combination that you find particularly pleasing.