How to Improve Creative Writing Skills

If you want to write a short story, an essay or even a letter, here are some ways to improve your creative writing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. First, get a partner to work with. Look to your library for help. Sometimes there are writers’ groups that get together and critique each other’s writings. This is the best place to get help initially.

2. Second, write every day. Pick up a journal at the dollar store and dedicate time every day to writing for at least 10 minutes.

3. Third, read the type of books you want to write. For example, if you are interested in writing nonfiction, then read several nonfiction books by different authors. This will help you to identify the type of writer you want to become.

4. Fourth, read books that are opposite of what you want to write. Sometimes if we read books that are not in our usual scope, new ideas emerge. It may give you an idea on how to start your story or how to organize it in a different way

5. Fifth, when you sit down to write, don’t be critical of yourself. Tell yourself that you’ll come back and edit later. Let the ideas flow.

6. Sixth, when you are done writing, print it out and read it out loud. This doesn’t mean read it in your head. Actually read it out loud to a friend or just to yourself. This will help you to catch many more mistakes.

7. Seventh, write the introduction last. After you have written the whole story, go back to the beginning and write an introduction that will capture the audience and get them ready for the story

[dnatureluvr]

on 9/7/2009 5*

[ruecian2112]

on 5/13/2009 Good article, I just think it could use some expanding. Also I disagree with writer's groups, the ones I've seen do little more than insult your writing and boost their own. 4*