It’s well known that reading diverse work makes you a better writer. Reading expands your vocabulary and introduces you to new words. And knowing more words is important to expand your sense of concept.
If you’re anything like me, you probably didn’t read as much growing up. I would read academically but not much outside of academics.
I’ve always loved movies and the art of storytelling through film. I wanted to recreate that magic with my words but quickly realized my vocabulary limited the quality of my work. So I started reading AND worked on my writing.
There are ways to improve your writing quickly, but progress isn’t linear. Here are the 4 strategies I would recommend for anyone to improve their writing skills fast:
1. Read Short Stories
When you didn’t read large novels in the past, it’s hard to pick up a novel and read it in one sitting.
I started off with short stories, which are less taxing on your focus and patience. Short stories give you the perfect amount of insight on what works in storytelling, from dialogue to setting to description.
Another suggestion would be to start off with simple vocabulary short stories. The goal is to be introduced to just a handful of new words per story.
If you aren’t sure what stories to read yet, I am working on a short story database with filters by genre, average ratings, read time, etc. Check it out here!
2. Save the New Words You Encounter and Incorporate Them in Your Writing
It’s not enough to just gloss over new words. You need to practice incorporating them into your writing.
Copy down the words you encounter on a separate sheet of paper. And when you find the time, challenge yourself to write a short story, poem, or journal entry incorporating these words. On the note of journal entries, let’s move to the next point:
3. Journal regularly
Journal about your day. Journal about what you noticed. Even writing about the act of journaling while you journal is beneficial (a suggestion if you have absolutely nothing else to write about).
The point is, make it a habit to write every day. You could pursue write short stories or poems; however, journaling is easier since it involves writing about your daily affairs, something that requires less thought.
I started journaling in 2019 and have been journaling since. Not as regularly anymore, but often enough to continue seeing growth in my writing skills.
P.S.: journaling helps build your conscious mind, improving your reasoning skills!
4. Practice Writing Description
It is important to write a description, a fundamental piece of all writing.
When you write, you are painting a movie with your words. Paintings have tons of detail and provide you with a ready image.
That’s not the same with writing. Writing gives you just enough information to complete the picture.
That’s why it’s a challenge. How do you create an entire image with your words? Not just that, how do you tell its story through description?
For example, an apple sits on a countertop. It’s a simple enough image.
But what color is the countertop? What color is the apple? How is the apple positioned on the countertop? Is the apple whole or bitten? What is the texture of the apple? Why is the apple missing a stem?
The apple has a secret, but the simple sentence of “an apple sits on a countertop” tells the reader nothing. Don’t let the reader assume everything. Quality description is very important in a book, it carries the story.
If you liked this example of the apple and the countertop and would like to work on a description exercise, I created a free worksheet using the same example that tests your description skills and introduces you to the art of description! Check out this post: Free Description Worksheet for Writers
Conclusion
Thank you for reading! If you have questions or liked this post, drop a comment!