Making Changes in Writing and in Life

It's been made clear to me, especially lately, that making changes in writing and in life is the name of the game.

And change isn't always easy.


But it's exciting!

Who wouldn't want to make their writing better, more coherent, more exciting to read? Who wouldn't want to take their own life out of the pit of boredom, sameness? Who wouldn't want to take the next grand opportunity for growth when presented?

I know I would.

Still, change can be pretty scary, too, though I'm one for moving through it anyway. Who knows what will be on the other side of it?

A better book?

A better life?

Here's hoping you make today better than yesterday.

Kathryn

5 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Writing

Improving your writing is as important as eating a balanced meal, and yet, many forget that improvement takes daily effort, as does eating a meal with grains, fresh fruit and veggies. 

Photo by: fensterbme, courtesy of Flickr

Through the years I have learned some things that have improved my writing. They are:

1) Read. Read. Read. Especially the genre you want to write in. Learn how authors have done it. Read with a highlighter and pen.

2) Read for enjoyment without the highlighter and pen. There's something about taking in a book, without focusing on the grammar, that teaches you even more.

3) Write. Write. Write. Every day. When you don't feel like it. When nothing is coming. When you keep getting interrupted.

4) Write without editing. This is known by many as a free write. Just get your thoughts out and don't concern yourself with the layout of sentences.

5) Write like a professional. For most writers, writing is not a hobby, it's a career. Take your writing seriously and you'll improve that much faster.

Improving your writing takes guts. It takes work. But writing to improve is also a joy. Just compare what you write today with what you put out, say, five or ten years ago, and you'll see what I mean.

Reviewing to Improve Your Writing

I don't know about you, but I am constantly juggling one or more books in-between writing and marketing.

I'm currently reading, Memory Lake, by Nancy S. Kyme, and am (so far) enjoying it. It's just the book I need during the frantic-ness of moving. I couldn't have chosen a better summer read.

That said, I am also going to be reviewing this book. I have a Christian non-fiction book in the rafters as well as another book that's coming.

Suffice it to say that I love reading, not only for the escapism or even the opportunity to grow and become a better person, I love what I learn from other authors. I especially appreciate their strengths, where, frankly, I have weaknesses. And I love the idea of learning from them.

For example, I may always struggle with setting, but reading authors like Kyme, I learn how someone else has done it.

Photo by: IllinoisHorseSoldier, courtesy of Flickr

Through the years I have learned to slow down and to enjoy every moment of writing. I try not to hurry through scenes and skip parts so that I "can just get to the good part." If a book is written well, every part "is a good part" and needs to be described in vivid detail.

A scene at the ocean can be memorable. It's not enough that the main character "went there," more important is how she felt and what she learned and what she saw when she was there.

Photo by: J_O_I_D, courtesy of Flickr

Reviewing is a step above reading. Sure, I can read for total enjoyment, but with reviewing, the joy is still there, while, at the same time, my left brain is also blinking. If the sentence is choppy, or the direction of the book, uninteresting, or I feel as if I'm "lost" I make a note of it on a sticky note and place it on the page where I noticed it. After I've finished the book I go back to these sticky notes and write my review.

Something happens to my brain as I do this: sort of a sticky note inside telling me that not every writer writes perfectly, and that there is always room for some improvement; if only a little.

And that's what I'm counting on.