7 PROVEN TIPS THAT WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER Writer | Ifabumuyi Mercy Taye

Hey! Let’s be honest. Just because every writer claims they have some form of passion, doesn’t make them a good writer. What does it even mean to be a good or become a better writer?

Writing either fiction or non-fiction can take you anywhere, but good writing, yes, becoming a good writer will take you to higher places. Who doesn't want to get more writing jobs? Who doesn't want friends and families to refer them to clients? Who doesn’t want prizes, praises for his/her work? And now you probably understand why I emphasized 'good writing' which is the result of becoming a better writer.

So in this post, I will guide you through 7 easy tips to become a better writer, and these aren't just some regular writing tips because they have been proven. They have worked well for me and I know they'll work for you. It doesn't matter if you are a professional writer looking for extra tips to land more writing jobs or a total beginner, you are in the right place.

So, let’s dive in:

1. ASK THOSE WINNING QUESTIONS

So, you wonder what I mean by winning questions. These are the best 5 winning questions you need to ask yourself before embarking on your writing journey, check them out:

- Why do I want to write?

- Who am I writing for?

- How do I pass this message or idea of mine to my readers? 

- How do I connect to my readers?

- What are my writing goals? 

    If the questions above are running around in your head, then you are definitely on the way to becoming a better writer. These questions need to be answered because those answers will create a path only you can work with to achieve all your writing goals, if not all, then at least most of them as time passes by. So, answer those questions genuinely, and you will automatically begin the journey of becoming a better writer. 

2. STICK TO YOUR NICHE 

It was really hard for me to stick to a particular niche when I first started my writing journey. I wanted to write about this, about that, though I still do, but it is more connected and aligned. Your decision to pick a particular niche doesn’t mean you can’t dive into other niches, but it has to be more constructive and connected. 

Let’s say I love cooking, and then I start to write on kitchen equipment I love to use or the best place to visit to get the best local or international delicacies, or how to get the cheapest product on Amazon. If you look at all these topics outlined from a bigger picture, you would see that they are still connected to cooking, but you have broken into other segments as well. During the constant writing process, you get to pick what you really what to write about, as long as it's what your readers desire, and at the same time, you still get to write about the things you are passionate about.

3. PRACTICE

I know a lot of people are like ‘Oh I know about it, it’s being talked about all the time.’ the real thing however, isn’t just practicing. It’s rather, practicing how to practice well, I know this sounds weird, but it isn’t. You need to come to a point whereby you know that time of the day that works for you, that specific time that you pick up your pen and write forever, you need to come to a point whereby you aren't just writing, but you are writing what matters, you are writing information, tips and stories that connect to your readers.

Learn to not only determine to write every day, because this isn’t only about becoming a better writer. This is also about you becoming a writer with the feeling that you love what you are doing and you would do anything to satisfy your readers. However, this feeling only comes from constant and consistent practice sessions, you just have to love what you do.

4. PASSION

Yeah I know I said passion isn't enough to drive you to become a better writer, but it's still the basics that can't be denied. Don't just start writing to make money, yeah money is also a good motivation because let’s be honest who doesn’t want to get paid for his/her talent, but that's by the wayside. Money shouldn't be the only reason that motivates you to pick up your pen or type on a computer. Remember that reason that kept you awake for several nights, remember that reason that pushed you to write even when you had doubts about your writing skills, and you thought people will hate your blog, your posts, but you still wrote anyways.

Passion is that hidden ingredient that you sprinkle on your work of art. There is a very clear difference between a writer that uses the spice of passion and the writer who doesn't, and this can be seen in the connection level with the readers. A writing laced with passion reflects on the reader's mind, and that difference is what makes one a better writer.

5. HAVE A UNIQUE VOICE

This tip isn’t emphasized a lot, ‘How can a writer have a unique voice?’ Beginners mostly ask this question all the time, and yeah the answer has been provided multiple times, but let’s look at it from this angle. How can your writing awaken the inner voice of your readers? You would want to take a deep breath now. How does your writing make your readers feel? Will it make them want to cook that food, buy that product or invest in that particular business? or will it just make them feel good after reading your novel? If your writing awakens your readers to take actions unconsciously or consciously, to do what you suggest to them, then that’s because they have come to trust, identify, and understand your unique voice.

So, how do you find your unique voice? It’s very simple. Be open, you need to make your writing not only professional but remember it should be sprinkled with the passion spice, it all works hand in hand.

6. WRITE DOWN THAT JARGON

Yeah! Write down that Jargon. Write down those things your mind conjured that you think are stupid. It could be the solution someone has been waiting for forever. Remember, little steps make a huge difference at the end of a journey. Starting as a beginner can be quite scary, you have so many doubts and fears. Even for professionals, at some point you feel low, you suffer from writer’s block, you don’t feel confident about your work, you are scared you’ll never land a big writing job, that no one will buy your book or even appreciate your efforts. I know this phase so well and I have gone through it myself, but if I let those thoughts overpower me, I wouldn't have decided to pick up my pen and close my eyes to doubt, maybe I would have never become that state teen approved author, if I just thought that all I had in my head was jargon.

I always thank my younger self for writing things considered jargon at first, and I grew up to become that author that I wanted to be. You might have heard this a lot- write that blog post, complete that writing project, focus on topics to challenge your surroundings, write about those crazy ideas you feel will help companies avoid bankruptcy. Don’t be scared to make mistakes, with constant practice, you’ll become a better writer.

7. RESEARCH

The moment a writer feels that he/she doesn't have to read books anymore, research online, ask questions from experts or editors or seek writing guides, then that writer is on a path of doom. Okay, it sounds too dramatic, right? But it sure wouldn’t be good for that writer, because at that moment, people start to notice the cracks on the wall, they feel you aren’t connecting to them like before, they are noticing more writing mistakes in your work, because it lacks proper editing or proofreading. Automatically they stop contacting or buying your products because the basic ingredient of research is nowhere to be found.

Don’t fear to start like a beginner who asks for help from different sources. You shouldn’t feel this tip is an attribute of a beginner. In fact, in order to proffer solutions to your readers, you have to put yourself in their shoes, and ask questions as they would do. Only that amount of dedication can make you an asset to your readers, and yes you do not have to know all the big dictionary words. At first, it's all about your readers and as long as you can connect with them, and they connect with you as well, then that’s it. Feel confident about your work, don’t compare yourself to others, as time goes by you’ll become that professional writer you always wanted to be. Remember you must forever keep the fire of connection burning.

Note: Anyone can become a better writer, but not everyone will become a writer who leaves an impact on their readers, so which one do you love to become?

-------

Ifabumuyi Mercy Taye, is a state approved teen author. Her first book 'Silver Lining' is being read presently in all secondary schools in Ondo state. An art lover, who involves herself in various types of art like singing, painting, writing of poems and songs, because she doesn't like to be put in a box.