One day, I wrote my worst piece of writing.

Another day, I felt weird to call myself a writer.

Then another day, I found myself wanting help with my writing.

I know for a fact that I wasn’t the only one who went through all that. Every writer, rookie or pro, will keep feeling like that now and then. That’s no news, I know.

And also there are signs that tell us we need to do better. It might be embarrassing to admit, but it’s better we pay heed to them. Don’t ask me what these signs are. I already said. All those feelings that I expressed at the outset are the signs. The minute you start feeling so should be the minute you start learning/practicing.

Yes, the only way out is to learn and practice your skill.

Becoming better at what you do is the only way you’ll be at ease.

How to get help to become a better writer?

I’m going to share seven different ways you can get all the help you need to become a better writer. I suggest you try all the ways and see which works the best for you.

1. Develop a writing habit

I remember one of my writer friends saying that it feels forced to write every day. I re-check with myself every time I remember that. Because I definitely don’t want to do something purely for the sake of it.

But you know what?

I don’t feel like that. I guess it’s different for each of us.

With no exaggeration, I write every single day. Some days, it might be 2,000 words, and some days, just a hundred words. Regardless of it, I write every day.

And mind you, not all that I write is useful. Some of it is garbage. But it is all part of getting better at writing.

2. Discuss with other writers

Last year, I started a writers’ community on Facebook — Creative Inner Circle. And it was one of my greatest ideas. There are over five hundred writers in there and every time I interact with them, I get inspired. Once in a while, I also hold writing contests and challenges that further energize the bunch.

Some of my greatest lessons were taught by other writers.

3. Take part in group writing sessions

There are many virtual writing workshops and sessions happening every day. All that’s left is you taking advantage of those sessions. Sign up for one such program and you will see for yourself how it changes the way you write as well as think about yourself.

You can even find your friends through Facebook groups and other social media platforms and host a writing session yourself. It’ll be a memorable experience.

4. Read works of different authors

Reading gives you a lot more experience with writing. It takes months to write a book, but it only takes a few days to read one and understand several aspects of writing in that book. For example; the author’s writing style, the vocabulary used, literary devices used, character arc, and more.

5. Learn grammar and literary devices

I know, boring!

But don’t scratch this off the list yet.

We learn a language mostly through listening to other people. Even a child learns to speak first and then learn the grammar. That doesn’t mean grammar is useless. It, of course, needs to be learned in order to take full advantage of the language. This expands your vocabulary and ways of expression.

6. Learn from a mentor

Everyone has a mentor in life, either expressed or implied. For a craft like writing, one must have a mentor. The things one learns from an experienced person are priceless. To learn everything on our own is impossible. we must take the help of an experienced writer along the way.

This is a creative field where everything is a fog, so it is not bad to have someone to lean on.

7. Write in different writing forms 

Writing has different forms; poetry, articles, short stories, novels, and so on. Each form will teach you something, and learning to write in different forms will also expand your creativity.

I usually write stories, and articles, but last year I learned how to write poetry. I quite enjoyed my time writing little pieces of poetry and sharing them.

There, there.

The seven ways to get help to write better.

This is a lifelong learning process. There’s no end to it but the rewards are exhilarating.

Leave a comment about your writing adventures and I’ll see you soon again.

Love,

Nikki.