Consider Taking These Risks If You Want To Be A Better Writer

You’ll never know if you don’t try

Since you started writing, you probably have been playing it too safe by sticking to the rules because you are scared of losing your audience, balance and flow.

Sometimes, the constant desire to be accepted for who we are is what makes us restrict ourselves to what people are used to.

Breaking free from the usual style is not the easiest thing to do.

This is because as writers, we are often careful in making any decision that would spring unpleasant surprises on our audience.

The scariest part of taking a chance is not knowing whether it will work or how it will work.

However, taking risk also comes with its added advantages because once you decide to explore the unknown as a writer, you could stand a better chance of making your writing more noticeable.

Now the question is : how do we ensure that our decision to break from the normal doesn’t come with undesired consequences?

Here are some smart risks you can take if you want to see more improvement in your writing:

1. Leave your comfort zone

Most writers, myself inclusive, are scared of leaving the old for the new because of the uncertainty that comes with change. Many times, we write what we are comfortable with because sticking to our usual routine is what we do best.

However, doing this could mean we are not challenging ourselves enough as writers.

When you are very comfortable with your niche, there is that tendency to occasionally catch yourself going for what you enjoy doing the most. Meanwhile, going for what comes naturally to us may not always produce the results we desire. If you are one writer who always plays it safe, you may become extremely predictable .

Whenever we write, we should always remember that within us, there is that part that always wants to be more, but it won’t if we are too afraid to let it.

The secret is: Do more if you know that you can offer more.

There will always be an element of the unknown in any risk you take — that’s what makes it exciting! So expect a few butterflies and proceed anyway. — Colleen Story

The truth is, most successful writers are risk-takers.

On taking risks, Michael Spelling reasons that “To be a writer is to take risks. This is because there is really no way of knowing whether you will succeed or not.” He adds that if it must be done, any risk taken must be with caution and writers must master the art of striking a balance between caution and recklessness.

No risk is worth it if it isn’t calculated.

2. Don’t always follow the rules blindly.

When writing, a little rebellion is sometimes necessary.

Don’t get me wrong. This is not to say you shouldn’t follow the rules at all, but follow from a place of understanding.

In the words of Chris Angelis, “Breaking the rules of writing the right way is an important stage in a writer’s evolutionary path.”

Having the freedom to interpret writing as you wish is what makes it an art.

Writers should be allowed to analyze through their own lens in the most unique way.

We read so many rules: write every day, silence your inner critic, read all the time, show-don’t tell, write what you know, etc . Sometimes, it seems there is just never an end to all of it.

In writing, 1+1 isn’t always 2. This is why there are great writers who have branched from the ordinary and done amazingly well. Even in law, there are always exceptions to the general rule.

It takes a lot of understanding and guts to be a great writer.

When we choose to only write what we know, we are staying within our own knowledge and control. This would be in contrast with the perception of writers as people who can write anything beyond the stretch of imagination.

Readers see the world through our eyes, and we should be ready to give them a larger vision of the world.

Unduly restricting ourselves would make all that impossible.

Final Thoughts

As scary as it sounds, risk might be what you need to make indelible marks as a writer.

The simple result of taking risks is that our mind takes us to unexpected places. Far beyond our comprehension.

Risk stops your writing from being predictable. It teaches you to write from an unusual perspective while embracing uncertainty.

Let’s challenge ourselves to be more daring, courageous, committed, honest and brave with our writing.

Let’s risk and write!