We talk all of the time about writing well. We talk about how it’s important to master the language, to write with feeling, to be compelling in our prose. Yet these generalities all too often fail to give us practical ways to achieve those goals.
What follows is a list of writing tips I’ve compiled, over time, for my own use. Now, they’re yours as well. Master all 178 of these tips and you’ll be the best damn writer in your niche:
1. Subscribe to The Writing Journey via RSS or by Email.
2. Take a Comp 101 class at your local community college.
3. Develop your vocabulary by learning 3 new words every day.
4. Buy a huge dictionary, thesaurus and grammar book.
5. Use that dictionary, thesaurus and grammar book every day.
6. Proofread other blogs to practice your editing skills.
7. Swear off using the word “great.”
8. Do the same with “nice.”
9. And “beautiful.”
10. And “wonderful.”
11. And “just.”
12. And “really.”
13. And “quite.”
14. And “that.”
15. Memorize the 8 Internet Writing Mistakes.
16. Avoid them.
17. When your spell-checker finds a misspelled word, write down what it was. Learn to spell that word correctly.
18. Experiment with writing tools like Q10, dictation software or (I know it’s revolutionary) a pencil.
19. Learn to use commas and apostrophes.
20. Stay on topic.
21. Subscribe to and read at least 2 monthly magazines.
22. Read at least one each of fantasy, horror, suspense, crime and romance novels.
23. Read prose frequently.
24. Read your writing out loud after you write it.
25. Turn off spell-check and grammar-check for a week, and check your writing manually.
26. Ask other writers for their advice.
27. Ask other writers for their help.
28. Help other writers, and offer them advice.
29. Practice active voice.
30. clear your writing area of distractions.
31. Write to express, not impress.
32. Connect with other writers.
33. Outline before you write and revise as you go.
34. Practice different writing voices.
35. Learn capitalization rules.
36. Put punctuation inside quotes.
37. Use simple strong verbs.
38. Let your writing sit 24 hours before publishing whenever possible.
39. Avoid superparagraphs.
40. Write interactive dialogue.
41. Join a peer writing group.
42. Submit writing to a peer-reviewed journal or website.
43. Read your writing in reverse.
44. Cut or replace words, don’t add.
45. Learn the rules of logic.
46. Use them in your argument.
47. Learn the names of 23 different colors.
48. Aim to write at an 8th-grade reading level.
49. Fail in your writing, but learn from your failure.
50. Avoid redundancy.
51. Don’t write the same thing twice.
52. Learn and defeat the 7 Deadly Fears of Writing.
53. Use transitions.
54. Practice clarity.
55. Brainstorm frequently.
56. Watch spacing.
57. Use strong verbs when appropriate.
58. Use cliffhangers in your prose.
59. Learn comma rules and use them.
60. Write your own life story.
61. Write your own life story from the perspective of your left ear.
62. Take a writing workshop.
63. Get a writing mentor.
64. Brainstorm.
65. Read Hugh MacLeod’s How to be Creative.
66. Hire an editor.
67. Use adverbs sparingly.
68. Practice a conversational tone by writing a conversation about your topic.
69. Don’t write to impress.
70. Eliminate awkward phrases.
71. Write what you know.
72. write what you enjoy.
73. Print out a draft to proofread it.
74. Participate in NaNoWriMo.
75. Be talented.
76. Write to entertain.
77. Follow the rules as often as possible.
78. Avoid cliches.
79. It it isn’t good, get rid of it.
80. Listen to public speeches.
81. Learn another language.
82. Use images effectively.
83. Freewrite.
84. Write first thing in the morning.
85. Write last thing at night.
86. Write first, edit later.
87. Learn what run-on sentences are and avoid them.
88. Write with authority.
89. Wrestle with your writing.
90. Write truthfully.
91. Write some garbage.
92. Stop worrying what others think.
93. Submit your writing until it is published.
94. Write something backward.
95. Listen to real-world conversations to hear how people truly communicate.
96. Don’t use such colorful language that it detracts from your message.
97. Sometimes, write without a message.
98. Watch out for floating body parts.
99. Be consistent in sequence.
100. Be consistent in tense.
101. Read screenplays.
102. Use pronouns clearly.
103. Make subjects and verbs agree.
104. Modify your word order when necessary.
105. Use but don’t overuse alliteration.
106. Watch for wordiness.
107. Avoid vague pronouns.
108. Write with a goal in mind.
109. Consider your reader’s education and expertise.
110. Use headlines.
111. Define specialized terms.
112. Write with standards.
113. Summarize your writing in a sentence or a paragraph.
114. Keep it simple.
115. Use short sentences.
116. Use short paragraphs.
117. Write with confidence.
118. Write with authority.
119. Vary sentence structure.
120. Join professional organizations.
121. Improve your Dialogue.
122. Write poetry.
123. Write a sonnet and a Haiku on the same topic.
124. Show, don’t tell.
125. Be hard on yourself.
126. Write with rhythm.
127. Write with necessary caution.
128. Avoid slang.
129. Avoid abbreviations.
130. Avoid symbols.
131. Use ellipses sparingly.
132. Use apostrophes correctly.
133. Smile when you write.
134. Memorize homonyms.
135. Use section headings.
136. Make an idea web.
137. Cite your sources properly.
138. Stay on topic.
139. Write patiently.
140. Don’t plagiarize.
141. Answer the 5 Ws and the H.
142. Be relevant.
143. Be dedicated.
144. Use an introduction, body and conclusion.
145. Avoid sentimentality for sentimentality’s sake.
146. Sweat the small stuff.
147. Find your own voice.
148. Write real content, not link-bait.
149. Use the semicolon rarely and correctly.
150. Use the colon correctly.
151. Learn the difference between a dash and a hyphen.
152. Understand the difference between parentheses, brackets, and braces.
153. Use the slash correctly.
154. Follow style guidelines.
155. Follow publisher guidelines.
156. Avoid excessive question marks and exclamation points.
157. Avoid weird words.
158. Write joyfully.
159. Verify your sources.
160. Use “its” and “it’s” correctly.
161. Write a 15-word sentence.
162. Write a story using only 3-word sentences.
163. Read daily.
164. Use criticism to your advantage.
165. Write as if you have a deadline.
166. Write in a readable font.
167. Adopt good writing habits.
168. Learn to use “Who” and “Whom.”
169. Write with intention.
170. Use writing prompts.
171. Read Shakespeare.
172. Write with confidence.
173. Avoid using technical terms.
174. Be harsh with your editing.
175. Make an argument in your writing.
176. Be open to criticism.
177. Never quit writing.
178. Ever.
30 comments ↓
I really like all these tips. In fact, for a new writer like me, most of them are SO helpful, I’m actually going to print this out and post it on the wall next to me so I see it every time I write. I make a ton of those mistakes, and I think if I can get most of the tips on this list working for me, my writing will improve a lot!
Thanks so much!
Allisons last blog post..Cinco de Mayo Roll
Top o’ the morning to you too then Bob!
This is an excellent post. Anything and everything that helps us to improve our writing skills is very welcome.
They may be peculiar to my side of the pond but I also have to watch out for the words:
- anyway
- so
- perhaps
and so (!) would add them to the list to be avoided.
Thanks once again
D
You’re insane. 178… good lord. I think the power of Niebu was with you when you wrote that one
Thanks for the link, Bob.
Numbers 50 and 51 are my favorites. That’s like saying “avoid redundant repetition.”
Of course, as an editor, I’m all in favor of number 66. Number 79 reminds me of the Elmore Leonard quote: “I leave out the parts people skip.” Oh, they’re all great!
Lillie Ammanns last blog post..Free Stories and Articles
Bob,
How can I add to this great list? James is right, the Niebu is strong in this one.
I won’t add to it. I’ll just do it instead.
(PS - where do I send the cheque? Two links, that must be worth $100 or so… thanks brother.)
Use “then” and “than” correctly.
Never use the word “very” in any sentence. It’s very annoying.
178! Yumpin’ yimminies!
Left off a word to swear off using: “very” (D’oh! Lori beat me to it!)
It would be cool to find a plug-in or something that will automatically pick one of these at random to place in the signature of your RSS and email updates. You know, “Improving your Internet writing Tip#73: Print out a draft to proofread it.”
Matt Tuley, Laptop for Hires last blog post..A couple of small points about the blog.
@ Allison - cool, I’m glad you find it useful. That’s the idea! But, to be sure, I don’t think your writing needs too much help to begin with, so don’t stress too much about it.
@ Donetta - Like I said on Twitter, I love hearing “top o’ the morning.” The correct response, as I understand it, is “and the rest of the day to you.” (Oh, and I’ll add your words to avoid to the list for part 2.)
@ James - I’ve been building that post for a long time, but Niebu helped, too.
@ Lillie - Love the Elmore Leonard quote!
@ Brett - You’re the only one with 2 links, too. An oversight on my part, but I’ll let it stand
@ Lori - Good ones, I’ll add those for part 2 as well.
@ Matt - I’m thinking about that, actually. I’ve got some leads. Would like to let folks put it on their blog as a widget. (Any programmers interested feel free to contact me!)
@Bob,
That’s why I should send you a *man crush* t-shirt
Brett Legrees last blog post..from dusk till dawn. a story about running.
This list is very helpful. You should have it made into a poster and sell it.
[...] 178 Ways to Improve Your Internet Writing [...]
Very good post. Of course the rebel in me was arguing my way through a few of them.
I hate outlines…love wierd words!!!!!
heeeeeheeee.
@ Brett - Dude, you always make me smile. Good form.
@ Judy - Thank you. That’s not a bad idea. Sort of like a “everything in kindergarten” sort of dealie.
@ Wendi - Rules are made to be broken. Some of the best writing ignores some of the rules. Trick is knowing which ones to break when.
What a “great” list; “beautifully” done. “So” “very” “nice” of you to do it, too. It’s “really” “quite” “wonderful” “that” you did this “just” for us.. “Anyway,” “perhaps” I’ll enjoy part 2 “just” as much!?
(|_|*cheers*|_|)
Thank you, Bob, anyone accomplishing all 178 would theoretically be well worth reading! ^_^
@ Dorian - Very well done.
@ All - check out this site of “Dead Words.” I think they’ve covered ours plus a few we’ve missed!
Well thank you! *blush*
Definitely going to keep a list of dead words visible at all times - I use them far too often!
Allisons last blog post..Cinco de Mayo Roll
Hey Bob, that is a cool way to do a link post and very well done. Loved those tips and I’m sure they come handy when writers block strikes.
[...] 178 Ways to Improve Your Internet Writing [...]
And I dare crossed the line today by using “realllly” in a blog post. But the extra L’s were to show it was on purpose.
Good niebu, Bob.
Meryl K. Evans’ last blog post…How Lenovo Outdoes Apple with an Ad
@ Allison - I meant “All” like “everyone,” but that includes you, so blushing is fine
@ Monika - Truthfully, I didn’t think of it as a links post. I added the links after the fact, just sort of off the cuff.
@ Meryl - “Good Niebu.” I think that’s a new one. I’ll have to use it now.
[...] 178 ways to improve your internet writing tips [...]
Wow!
Classic list. Great!
Laura Spencers last blog post..Are You A Writer Who Blogs, or a Blogger Who Writes?
My favorite points in your list:
>> 3. Develop your vocabulary by learning 3 new words every day.
4. Buy a huge dictionary, thesaurus and grammar book.
5. Use that dictionary, thesaurus and grammar book every day. <<
But my number-1 way to improve your writing is to KNOW DAMMIT when to use YOUR and YOU’RE!
Drives me bonkers.
Oh yes, and never to let “like” sneak in, as in, “I like had to find 3 pieces of wood.” (a classic WRITTEN line in one of my kids’ writing projects; it tooks day for me to recover from such abhorrent grammar).
Best wishes,
Barbara
Barbara Lings last blog post..Proactively boost your blog subscription via the Best Benefits Technique
[...] 178 Ways to Improve Your Freelance Writing at Writing Journey [...]
Wow! What a list - I think I’ll have to read it twice!
For me, the biggest thing that helped with my online writing was using Dragon Naturally Speaking (dictation software). Instead of having to concentrate on typing the words out, I could just speak and the computer would pick it up perfectly (minus some errors of course).
In fact, I would recommend dictation software be used when writing blog posts - it comes across as more of a conversation.
Marc Norriss last blog post..Back to Basics
Great tips!
For me writing is the most rewarding and maddening endeavor I have ever undertaken. Sometimes you sit down at the keyboard and the keys just clickclickclick away like raindrop patter and every image is poignant and you ride atop a soaring wave of creative flow until suddenly you realize it’s been 2 hours and 5 pages since you sat down and you exhale a sigh of supreme satisfaction. The world is a beautiful place and you have a beautiful real purpose.
These times are few and far between.
They are flanked by many large angry phalanxes of crappy times. Writer’s block is, for me, a misnomer, because it suggests that if the writer were to use some figurative plunging or Draino-powered purging, everything would flow freely. When things are not flowing it never seems the fault of a “block,” but rather the crappy crumbling system of my own cerebral plumbing. It’s simply no good. It’d be cheaper to trash the whole damn thing than to try and fix a little leak or blockage. I feel like the paragraph I’m staring at is shit, the chapter I’m pondering is shit, the project, and by extension my entire pathetic creative career and very existence is shit…
http://www.writinghannah.blogspot.com
Hannah Friedman
Oh Hannah……
What a brilliant comment. The post is excellent - and this comment is worthy!
Brain Wake up for me and for my dearest blessed friends !
I have it already the pleasure when I lauch writing …
Haphtus last blog post..How To Start Your Freelance Writing Business: Finding Work
Wow, awesome list. this page has officially been BOOKMARKED
Like always, great advice. Some of these are simple, however, a lot of them are new to me and I think this will be helpful. Thanks!
Dennis Riveras last blog post..Copyright and Disclaimer
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