10 Things You Can Do to Write Efficiently

Writing can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be! Whether you're a pro at the craft or just starting out, here are just 10 tips to help you become a better writer without burning out.

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1. Read, read, read

A lot of writers start out by being avid readers. Read a lot and often. Scroll through blogs, find new novels, just read. Reading helps one improve vocabulary and comprehension. More than that, it also keeps you up to date, and gives you different perspectives.

2. Learn continuously

If you consider yourself competent in one genre, why not try writing in a different one? Or, if you’re already a skilled creative writer, why not try technical writing, or vice versa? Challenge yourself to write new things in new formats. This will make you more well-rounded and able to take on a variety of writing tasks.

3. Get inspired

Go outside and admire the world. Expose yourself to the beauty of your surroundings. Actively look for a muse instead of waiting for it to stroll into your head. You just might find it in the place you least expected.

4. Keep Notes

There is a practice in the industry called "killing your darlings." Sometimes, writers must cut out entire sentences, paragraphs or arcs they really liked in order to improve the story's flow. I'd like to revise that to "keep your darlings." Put your thoughts on a dump doc, write them down on a random notebook. The idea may just serve you

5. Set goals

Having goals helps you stay motivated, and gets actual work done. When you set goals however, make sure that they aren’t too easy or too difficult. Make your goals both doable and challenging.

6. Find ways to improve

Constantly review your strengths and weaknesses as a writer. Do you repeat words often? Do you commit grammar errors often? Leaf through dictionaries, thesauruses, and books of style. Do short grammar and vocabulary exercises. Remember that there is always room for improvement.

7. Have your work critiqued

Let your work be reviewed by someone who has no idea what the end goal of your project is. Sometimes, writers tend to skip parts, and to them it makes sense, because they know what happens next. Having another set of eyes go over your work provides objective feedback, and may help spot inconsistencies and errors in your work.

8. Edit

A masterpiece is never perfect on the first try. Look for sentences that can be made simpler, ideas that can be explained better, or thoughts that can be rephrased for better understanding. Get assistance from a professional editor to help with some things you might have overlooked. Remember, be careful not to over-edit.

9. Make it a Habit

One of the best ways to sustain a skill is to practice. Write for at least five minutes daily, just so you can keep your writing skills in check. It doesn’t have to be anything structured, you can write down topics you plan to write about, snippets of something you are currently working on, a short poem or story. The important thing here is to getting your hands and your mind used to writing motion.

10. Relax

All the greats of the world have taken a break at least once. It’s best to give yourself a ten-minute break for every hour of working. Don’t force yourself to write. Stress will stop the ideas from flowing.

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