You’re Writing More, But Are You Writing Better?
 |
| Photo by Fotoweedio from Unsplash |
Have you been wondering why your writing isn't improving?
Perhaps you've been writing for months or years, yet you still feel stuck. I know that feeling because I've been there.
It's frustrating, more like being stranded in a desert. Your words don’t flow how you want them to, your stories don’t land, and no matter how much you write, you don’t feel like you’re getting better.
At this point, should you blame your pen… or your process?
I’ll tell you that writing doesn't improve just by time spent, but by how you spend that time.
You could spend years writing without making real progress if you’re just going through the motions rather than practicing intentionally, analyzing your writing, and pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone.
- Don't Just Be a Writer; Be a Reader
As a writer, you must read widely. Make reading a habit, one that is hard to break. By exposing yourself to high-quality writing, your writing style evolves.
Get your eyes down on anything readable, whether fiction, non-fiction, essays, poetry, or articles. Most importantly, pay attention to sentence structure, tone, and pacing.
- Stop Being Stuck in Your Comfort Zone
You can't improve your writing when you focus on one genre or style of writing.
As a writer, don't limit yourself; instead, challenge yourself with writing prompts that force you to think differently. In other words, try writing in a genre you’ve never attempted, and experiment with new perspectives.
- Don’t Write Alone
Writing alone is normal, but getting feedback is necessary for growth. If no one is reading your work, you’re missing valuable insights.
Every writer should have a writing group, writing peers, critique partners, or online writing communities. Also, it is worthwhile to share your work online or submit it to publications.
- Don’t Wait For Inspiration
Most writers often make the mistake of waiting for inspiration before grabbing their pen. You won't improve that way if you wait to write only when you feel inspired.
As a writer, you must treat writing like a job, not a hobby that depends on mood. Write daily, even if it’s a paragraph.
Remember, action creates inspiration, not the other way around.
- Edit Ruthlessly
The more you revisit your work, the more you refine it by catching little mistakes or unnoticeable errors.
After writing, revise and edit by reading your work aloud to catch awkward phrasing, and cutting unnecessary words. Focus on structure first, then language, then grammar.
I’d say, “Be brutal.”
Conclusion
Writing more isn’t enough. You need to write smarter. A writer can't improve accidentally or by luck; it’s intentional.
If your writing feels stagnant, change your approach. Read more. Challenge yourself. Edit with purpose. Seek feedback. And most importantly, keep going.
Because the only way to become a better writer is to keep writing.