I would say that if you were really serious about your blogging, then you would give an unequivocal yes as an answer to the question. I know I want to be a better writer. That is why I was quite excited when I saw Brian Clark’s post title “10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer.†I could hardly contain myself as I waited for the page to load.
To my surprise, this is what I saw:
1. Write.
2. Write more.
3. Write even more.
4. Write even more than that.
5. Write when you don’t want to.
6. Write when you do.
7. Write when you have something to say.
8. Write when you don’t.
9. Write every day.
10. Keep writing.
At first, I was thinking “Oh, what a disappointment. I thought that he would have something more practical for me to follow.†Then I read it again. I read the list a third time.
It makes perfect sense! It actually is an expounded version of an old saying – “Practice makes perfect.†You can’t beat this maxim, really. Just keep on writing and you will eventually get the hang of it. The more writing you do in any given span of time, the more practice you will get, the better you will become at it.
So you want to be a better writer? Print out that list above. Place the printout in a prominent place so that you can be visually reminded that no matter what, try to get those words out.
Originally posted on May 1, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
