How to improve writing skills?

[Evall]

What do you do to improve your writing skills?

[mbbntu]

Read -- analytically.

[lunk]

Write, a lot.

You learn something by training. If you want to learn to write, write a lot, and then read what you’ve written.

[kewms]

Read a lot.

Write a lot.

Classes can help, but primarily because they (1) force you to actually write things and (2) ensure that you'll get feedback on what you've written.

Katherine

[Jolanth Szatmary]

I like doing some experimental stuff from time to time:

- if you touch type: turn the screen brightness all the way down and type a chapter without seeing what you're writing. Results can be interesting.

- Go to to a place that is the opposite of what you usually need for writing. If you need a quiet room, go to a busy café and try to concentrate against the distraction.

- Set yourself rules for your writing project, you could, for instance, assign each character in your story to a figure on a chess board. Characters can only meet if they are able to meet on the chess board, too. If a pawn needs to get out of the way, you'll have to »move« this character first (i.e. write about them). Just a silly idea I once tried out.

Other than that: Write, write, write. And watch your style evolve.

Good luck!

js.

[Tanith]

Everyone's already covered the basics: read a lot, write a lot. Even if it's just emails, you're honing your writing skills each time your fingers start that magical keyboard dance.

In addition to what's already been suggested I'd add the great spectator sport of people watching. On the job, on public transportation, at home with the family, at the supermarket, whatever. One can pick up all sorts of useful tidbits to build characters with just by watching one's fellow humans.

[sunnydays]

Good advice given so far. My addition to it - I joined a writing group where every member is at various stages of writing their novels (multiple genres). Every few weeks you send them a chapter, they read it and then at the meeting they tell you their critique.

I've learnt a lot from correcting some basic punctuation mistakes that are ingrained in me (ongoing process) to learning to take criticism. It's not a simple process of course. What the other members say is not necessarily correct. As the writer you have to sift through all of the suggestions and determine which you are going to take on. That is outrageously difficult (imo), yet also a great learning opportunity for me.

[Lewis-H]

Brush up on the basic principles of writing, grammar, and spelling.
Write like it's your job and practice regularly.
Read more so you develop an eye for what effective writing looks like.
Find a partner.
Join a workshop, meetup, or take a writing class.

Regards,
Lewis

[ursbucher]

I want to improve my writing skills: to make the style more eloquent and enrich my vocabulary. What courses to choose? There're hundreds of online courses, but you never know which are the best. I don't want to simply squander time on those. Any types of courses where I can do my English homework or Literature tasks (in creative writing)?

[ursbucher]

I'm a sphomore at The College of Saint Benedict (Creative Writing major). And it's a shame, when I can't find a word for my narration. I have written a couple of sci-fi dystopian stories, but I don't think I will start writing professionally.

[RHarvey]

Everyone has given great advice.

I would add, if you like a book/short story reread it again and again. Especially if the style is one you wish to emulate.

[lunk]

Read and do the exercises in the book ”Steering the Craft” by Ursula K LeGuin.

[acraine]

Rewrite.