What helps you write better?

1. 81

   GmaGoldieposted 11 years ago

   What helps you write better?
   
   Writing is more than just work, it is both science and an art.
   
   Does "dressing for success" or eating right or taking a vitamin supplement or exercise help you write better?
   
   Does routine help you or hurt you in your writing ability?

   replyreport
2. 72

   sandrabusbyposted 11 years ago

   It seems to me that there are several things that will help you write better:
   
   1.  Start by reading good writing, as judged by people who know.  The classics, for a start.
   
   2.  Write something every day.  Be consistent.  Save your writing and look back from time to time to see your progress.
   
   3.  Find someone to discuss your writing with.  Elicit their comments and take them seriously.
   
   4.  Learn the conventional rules of usage, grammar, and punctuation -- and apply them.
   
   5.  Improve your vocabulary by keeping a list of words you don't know.  Use the dictionary.
   
   6.  Don't put trash -- in the form of poor writing -- in your head.  Avoid it.
   
   7.  To increase your fluency, use a technique called "free writing," which is simply writing non-stop for 5 to 10 minutes a day -- whatever comes in your head.

   replyreport
3. 60

   rlahaposted 11 years ago

   Taking a lot of breaks helps as well as getting feedback from better writers than myself.  Also, having a good rest and a fresh mind often helps. Sometimes exercise helps to clear my mind and helps me to start writing again.

   replyreport
4. 60

   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   Practice practice practice.  When I am writing and nothing is coming together, I try to comfort myself with the fact that is it like exercise - there is benefit from any little bit of it. the more I write, the better I write. 
   
   I have no routine, I just write when moved to do so.  A routine would be better but I am not disciplined enough.

   replyreport
5. 81

   phillippeengelposted 11 years ago

   Without reading, I would not write better. I have to study the techniques and approach other writers have first, and then adapt and recast them for my own purposes. This is not blatantly copying, ( don't take it that way), but it is one of the easiest way to learn how to write better, like the professionals. It takes a few months, or even a few years, to master the art of writing. That is when you can have the conviction to be a trailblazer.

   replyreport
6. 68

   sugzposted 11 years ago

   writing should never be a chore, nor should it be something you have to work hard at, it should come easily, flow freely and feel like you have succeeded in something amazing. whether its a competition, a novel, a poem, a song, or a kids book.. or an assignment for school.. it should always be something that makes you feel good.
   
   if you are a journalist, you would need to dress for success to make an impression with your looks, but hope like heck your writings as good.
   
   everyones different, some are only inspired by exercise, others who say vitamins make them write, id be guessing theyre not much of a writer in the first place.
   
   to answer the few questions you have up there... routine definitely kills writing, eating right.. haha anyone who writes constantly and is a huge writer will know that food is of no consequence when your brain is pre4-occupied creating a masterpiece. ask a swimmer if they can eat and swim at the same time..
   i bet 99% of writers of this world live on coffee and very little sleep. food only makes its way into the agenda when the tummy refuses to stay empty.
   when i write, i have people who remind me i boiled the jug about 4 hours before, then remind me again a few hours later to make the coffee i boiled the jug 7 time to make.. then they remind me to go to sleep, other times, i type with my eyes closed and hope like hell i never did what i did one other time.. what took me 30 mins to write 20 pages, took me 5 days to decipher cos i typed the whole lot one key over.. the caps lock was my A. like i said everyone's different.. i never study what i should or should not write, i just do it. if no one likes it, i don't care, as long as i do!

   replyreport