Summary

To become a successful writer, one must dedicate time to regular practice, accept that not all writing will be exceptional, prioritize writing in their daily life, and balance writing with reading.

Abstract

Becoming a successful writer is a gradual process that requires treating writing as a business rather than a hobby. It involves recognizing writing as a skill that needs to be practiced daily, accepting that not every piece will be a masterpiece, and understanding that persistence and continuous improvement are key. Prioritizing writing and actively seeking ways to enhance one's skills, such as through reading, taking classes, and engaging with the writing community, are essential steps. The interconnection between writing and reading is emphasized, with the notion that reading quality content leads to the production of quality writing.

Opinions

Writing is a skill that develops over time with consistent practice, similar to athletic or musical prowess.
Daily writing, even just 200 words, is more beneficial than sporadic, lengthy sessions.
Freewriting is a valuable technique to overcome writer's block and generate creative ideas.
It is normal for some writing attempts to be unsuccessful, and these should be used as learning experiences rather than discouragements.
Self-improvement in writing should be approached with the mindset of an eager learner rather than self-criticism.
Prioritizing writing may require adjusting one's lifestyle and dedicating time on weekends or around other responsibilities.
Investing in oneself through reading, education, and community engagement is crucial for a writer's development.
Expanding vocabulary and improving grammar are specific areas where focused effort can lead to improvement.
Reading a wide range of quality content, including fiction, nonfiction, and personal essays, is integral to enhancing one's writing skills.
A formal degree in writing is not a prerequisite for success; self-discipline and a commitment to growth are more important.

4 Truths to Live by to Become a Successful Writer

Writers are not born — they are made

To become a successful writer takes time, patience, and effort. You can’t expect overnight success — becoming better is a gradual process.

You have to take writing seriously and that means you treat it as a business — something you can grow in overtime — rather than as a hobby.

Here are the four truths about writing you have to embrace.

Writing is a skill you practice regularly

Writing is a skill and it takes time and patience to develop it. That means, the more time you put into it, the faster you’ll grow in your skills.

You have to show up and practice writing every day — including those days you don’t feel like it.

Fact: Writing 200 words a day is better than not writing at all.

If you don’t yet have a clear idea of what you’re going to write — just start freewriting. It will help you kickstart the process and come up with creative ideas. Sometimes the best ideas are formed from freewriting.

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”

— Louis L’Amour

Not everything you write will be a masterpiece

Some of your drafts will be complete flops and that’s okay.

The way to turn your flops into masterpieces is just to keep writing. Don’t let a bad draft stop you from writing- use it to push you to write better.

Let’s face it: you don’t become a professional athlete, musician, or artist overnight. You work on your skills to get there.

Success isn’t created overnight — you take steps to reach it.

The worst thing you can say to yourself is that you are a bad writer. Every time you think you are, reframe your thoughts and say to yourself: “I’m a writer eager to learn and with the potential to grow.”

Remind yourself that Rome wasn’t built in a day.

“You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it.

That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.”

― Octavia E. Butler

Making writing a priority will help you grow

If writing is what you want to improve on, you must make it your number one priority in life.

That means everything that comes — family, responsibilities, leisurely activities — you work around it. You need to be flexible and creative in how you work writing into your life. If that requires you to write on the weekend — as I do, as I have two kids at home — then write more on weekends.

Look for ways you can improve your writing and do a little each day. Besides writing regularly, you can do other things that will help you become a better writer. You must be willing to invest in yourself — both personally and professionally.

It doesn’t have to be just writing. It could be reading, enrolling in a writing class, watching educational webinars, being active in writing communities and in groups.

You should also target your weak areas and focus on improving those. For example, if you want to expand your vocabulary, you make a goal of learning new words and expressions every day or every week.

If grammar isn’t your thing, find resources that can help you sharpen your grammar skills. If you want to increase your creative writing skills, lay your hands on some good fiction books you can find. You can also read nonfiction personal essays from quality sources such as the New York Times newspaper. Medium is also a good place to start. The point is, make reading your daily habit.

Writing and reading are intertwined

When I just started on Medium this May, I didn’t have a whole lot of skills. I’ve developed my skills — and still in the process of developing — through writing and reading. The more you read, the better you write. The more you read quality stuff, the more quality stuff you produce. That’s how it goes.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a degree in writing or journalism. You can still grow in your skills in other ways. You just need a desire to grow and get better. If you are disciplined and you consistently show up and make an effort to improve yourself, you will improve. Just make sure you read as much as you write.

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”

― Stephen King