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The most typical tip you’ll hear to enhance your writing is to learn extra.

Once I was first trying to enhance my writing, I did simply that, however I didn’t really feel like my writing was really enhancing, regardless of devouring extra books.

After turning many pages, I spotted why: I had been lied to. Sort of.

When individuals say you’ll be able to become a better writer by studying, what they really imply is “you’ll be able to grow to be a greater author by studying with objective” The key is italicized. 

Why studying with objective is your key to changing into a greater author

Purposeful studying forces you to assume and soak up info in a different way than should you had been studying with the intent of enjoyable. That’s to not say that studying with the intent to only…nicely, learn, is dangerous. There’s no denying that studying builds tender abilities like empathy and critical thinking (amongst many others).

However studying with objective is vital if you’re trying to grow to be a greater author.

What makes an amazing author?

Nice writers have a number of issues in widespread. They’ve:

  • A singular voice
  • A broad vocabulary
  • The power to color vivid scenes
  • Consideration to element

In fact, that’s not an exhaustive checklist, but it surely’s a great begin. And purposeful studying may also help you develop every of the above factors.

Right here’s an instance: You simply wrapped up an extended day and wish to unwind with a great guide and a drink of alternative (I really like a great spicy scorching chocolate). You grow to be engrossed along with your guide, and earlier than you understand it, an hour has handed, and it’s time to prepare for mattress.

After your hour of studying, you doubtless bear in mind the primary plot factors of what you simply learn, however smaller particulars—like diction—could escape your reminiscence. I do know it positive does for me.

And whereas there’s nothing flawed with that, it’s these small particulars that assist enhance your personal writing.

That can assist you cement these smaller particulars in your thoughts, I developed a simple three-step framework. You should utilize this framework to grow to be a greater author by way of purposeful studying.

Purposeful studying [framework]

Earlier than getting began, make a copy of the framework here and comply with alongside beneath. (Clicking the hyperlink will mechanically create a brand new copy of the Google Sheet so that you can use.)

Step 1: Construct your vocabulary by way of a word-repository

Once I’m flying by way of a guide, I don’t at all times cease at phrases I don’t know. Normally, the phrases that sandwich the one I’ve by no means seen earlier than give me sufficient context to know what’s occurring. 

However a part of changing into a greater author is increasing your vocab, and there’s no higher manner to try this than to cease, search for the phrases you don’t know, and use them your self.

Subsequent time you learn and are available throughout a international phrase, jot it down and search for its definition. Then, use the brand new work to put in writing a sentence (or two) of your personal.

(I save my sentence writing till after I’m executed studying. I don’t just like the lurching backwards and forwards between beginning and stopping whereas I’m in the course of a great guide.)

?Why do that? Increasing your vocab offers your writing extra shade.

Step 2: Jot down sentences or phrases you like

As a result of this can be a private doc, you don’t want to fret about copyright infringement and might write down sentences and passages you completely love.

However though it’s private, it’s nonetheless good observe to incorporate citations for 2 causes:

  1. You possibly can simply revisit any passages
  2. You’re reinforcing the notion that what you’ve written isn’t your personal work, so that you don’t subconsciously pull these phrases into your personal writing

After jotting down prose you take pleasure in, write a fast observe explaining why you appreciated. This half is vital and can assist you develop your personal voice as you determine what you want.

?Why do that? This helps you develop your personal distinctive voice and also you’ll have a financial institution of inspiration for the subsequent time author’s block hits.

Step 3: Write a abstract of what you appreciated/disliked about what you simply learn

Lastly, after studying one thing (be it a number of chapters in a guide or an article), jot down what stood out to you. 

What did you like? What was lacking? What would you could have executed in a different way?

Take a number of moments to replicate. 

?Why do that? Reflection helps cement what you learn in your reminiscence in order that when it comes time to put in writing, you’ll be able to rapidly pull inspiration from the depths of your thoughts.

Use your spreadsheet and write

Your spreadsheet can be a residing and respiration file, however the magnificence is you’ll be able to start utilizing it immediately.

Subsequent time you must write one thing, hearth up your spreadsheet.

Evaluation your phrase repository to see should you can spruce up your writing with some higher language. Simply bear in mind: don’t use phrases that your viewers wouldn’t perceive.

Re-read your favourite sentences and passages to see how one can emulate one thing comparable.

And undergo your summaries to see in case your writing captures all of the stuff you take pleasure in when studying others’ work.

In abstract

I’ll admit, spreadsheets and phrase repositories don’t precisely scream enjoyable studying session to me.

However you don’t want to do that each time you learn. Match this observe into your schedule the place it is sensible and at occasions that work finest for you.

Be constant, observe, and your writing will enhance.


This text could embody affiliate hyperlinks. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.


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