Writers often find ourselves trying to balance desire to express creativity and the need to refine our craft. You want to share our stories with the world, but first, you have to make sure those stories resonate and captivate your readers.
There’s always more to learn about the craft of writing, and the more you dedicate yourself to learning, the better you become. In this post, I’ll walk you through five techniques that have helped me improve my writing and stay focused on improving my craft.
1. Cut Unnecessary Words
One of the quickest ways to improve your writing is to trim the excess fat. I’ll admit, I’m a verbose first-draft writer. My early drafts are filled with unnecessary words like “very” and “really,” along with over-explained descriptions.
When I describe something, I tend to use multiple adjectives, and my sentences sometimes get weighed down with too much detail.
However, once I finish that initial draft, the real magic happens. I go through my text with a critical eye, cutting everything that isn’t essential. This process leaves me with a cleaner, sharper piece that flows more naturally. You’d be surprised how much stronger your writing becomes when you strip away the excess to bear the core message.
For example:
First draft: “The sunset was gorgeous, with deep red, orange, and purple hues filling the sky in an almost overwhelming display of color.”
Edited version: “The sunset painted the sky with deep red, orange, and purple hues.”
By cutting the unnecessary parts, you create writing that’s more direct and impactful. This technique is a key step in the “Edit Like a Pro” course I’m developing because it’s one of the easiest ways to make your work more readable and engaging.
2. Give Feedback on Other People’s Work
One of the most powerful ways to improve your writing is by offering feedback on someone else’s. It’s the foundation of every editing class I teach. When you’re working on your own stories, you can’t see the material as clearly because you’re too close to it. Thus, it’s much more difficult to see what you can do to improve.
By editing someone else’s work, you gain distance, which helps develop a more objective eye for your writing.
When you read other people’s work, you can see it as a reader first, rather than a writer. You begin to notice the things that work and the things that don’t, and this practice becomes invaluable when you return to your work.
I recommend finding a writing partner or joining a critique group to engage in this process regularly. The feedback you give will not only help others but will also sharpen your critical eye, making your revisions more effective.
3. Read Your Work Aloud
There’s something transformative about reading your work aloud. When the words are spoken, you can hear if the rhythm is off, if sentences are too long, or if the dialogue doesn’t sound natural.
Reading aloud helps pinpoint awkward phrases, confusing language, or unclear points. If reading it yourself tires you out, you can even have your computer read the text back to you. Hearing to your writing read back to you will help you experience it as your readers will.
On the flip side, if you’re struggling to write, try stepping away from your keyboard and simply speaking your thoughts aloud. You’ll often find that the words come easier when you verbalize them. Once you’ve found the right phrasing, you can jot it down and return to writing with a renewed sense of clarity.
4. Read Everything—Across All Genres
If you want to grow as a writer, you must be an avid reader. Read widely across all genres—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, and even genres you don’t typically enjoy. Each one will offer new insights and techniques that can enrich your writing.
When one of my clients wanted to write a book with multiple timelines, we explored The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. It’s a brilliant example of how to switch between different timelines and character perspectives while maintaining clarity and flow. We analyzed how the author used these techniques, and my client was able to apply them to her project, making the timelines seamless and engaging.
The more you read, the more you understand how structure, pacing, and characterization work in different contexts. Don’t limit yourself—try everything and see what resonates with you.
5. Experiment and Try New Things
The final key to excelling in your craft is experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try new techniques, styles, or structures, even if they feel uncomfortable at first. Experimentation widens your range as a writer and allows you to discover new tools for your creative toolbox.
Writing prompts are a fantastic way to spark experimentation. For instance, writing a story in the second person may feel awkward initially because it’s such an unusual perspective.
However, it teaches you a lot about how point of view affects the reader’s experience. You don’t need to include every experiment in your final draft.
Trying out new techniques will help you expand your skills. It will also give you a better understanding of why certain methods work well for you.
I encourage you to dive into these five techniques and see how they can elevate your writing. By cutting unnecessary words, giving thoughtful feedback, reading aloud, devouring a variety of genres, and experimenting with new styles, you’ll not only improve your craft but also deepen your connection to the writing community.
After all, the more you engage with others and share your journey, the richer your experience as a writer becomes.
