How to Become a Better Author

Practice writing every day.

Whether you are a novice novelist or a published author, you strive for excellence. As with most creative professions, practice, discipline and having the courage to experiment and think outside the box are the keys to self-improvement. You can also nurture your natural talent and help free up your creativity by training yourself to overcome procrastination and fear of failure by writing first thing in the morning.

Instructions

1. Find your own voice. Avoid imitating popular writers and selecting themes just because they are fashionable. Developing ideas that genuinely interest you fosters originality and helps you to develop your own style. Experiment with different writing styles and techniques to find out what works best for you.

2. Select a time to write every day and stick to it -- no excuses. Daily practice promotes discipline, which is just as important as talent if you want to improve your writing and be more productive.

3. Unleash the power of your unconscious. Dorothea Brande in her classic textbook, "Becoming A Writer," says that writing first thing in the morning harnesses the creative unconscious and helps you to bypass your inner critic. Simply write continuously for 15 minutes the moment you awaken. It doesn't matter what you write because the point of the exercise is to train yourself to write naturally and not self-consciously.

4. Read a lot of books. Study how other authors stage dialogue, develop plot and structure and use literary technique. Reading stimulating and well-written books can help spark your own creativity.

References

• "Becoming A Writer", Dorothea Brande 1934
• Absolute Write: Inside The Cover Book Reviews; Lynne Mahan
• "The New York Times": BOOKS OF THE TIMES; How to Write (If You're Stephen King); Janet Maslin; October 2000