How Do I Improve My Writing Skills?
Reflections from the starting point
As a beginner, I worry writing more articles will dilute the quality of my content. I fear if I do not spend hours on an article it will lead to an output which is below par. But these fears do not support a writer in the internet age where algorithms play a role in success. The algorithms which favour quantity over quality. As you produce more content your work is recommended to more readers which builds your audience.
Dipping my toes in the water before the plunge.
Before embarking on a regular publishing schedule, I signed up for the 750words writing app. The app not only helps you build a writing habit it provides feedback on the tone of your articles, your typing speed and the time taken to write the 750 words.
According to the app creators, 750 words are enough to tap into your hidden thoughts and emotions. Being able to write unfiltered, unprocessed private words allows you to reach deep into the recesses of your mind without fear or hesitation.
Writing daily helped me process my thoughts and feelings through the highs and lows of this pandemic period. In writing, I was able to release pent up emotions, notice fears and nagging worries and to celebrate the little joys in this complex time.
Writing daily gave me the tenacity to pitch to bigger publications despite the private notes of rejection. Knowing there were more ideas where those came from fueled my determination to improve my writing.
The greatest lesson was that writing daily without having to edit and publish made the whole process easier and fun to do.
And therein lies the obstacle to publishing daily. I find myself editing as I write leading to a laborious and painfully slow process.
Soon the doubts have crept in and any budding ideas have been strangled under the weight of the critical delete button.
Certainly, a writing process filled with criticism does not endear itself to a daily habit.
So what’s next for me?
I have considered launching a 30-day writing challenge, but I have certain fears.
- Fear of the time requirement: Due to the editing process I currently use it takes me up to 8 hours to complete a three-minute read article.
- Fear of running out of ideas and content to write about. A fear of becoming repetitive and monotonous. After the excitement of writing has faded will I be able to generate enough ideas to sustain a daily publishing habit?
- Fear of negative feedback from a growing audience: I cringe each time I read negative comments to other writers’ posts. I wonder if the reader appreciates the effort it takes to create content and what intention they have in leaving underhanded comments to someone’s work.
- Fear of turning writing into a chore; another thing to cross off my to-do list. Writing has always been a private affair, a shoulder to lean on when no one else was around. A friend to turn to when the world grew cold and frightful. I fear turning writing into a must-do will kill the comfort it provides me.
Embracing this stage of my journey
But what I realised is writing and publishing daily are about being okay with less than perfect results. It is about embracing the improvement in action. In engaging in a daily writing schedule I am building the skills needed to improve my writing.
It’s about committing to getting better despite the seemingly uphill nature of the process. This mountain will not be conquered by circling the base but by hiking my way to the top. In publishing daily I am scaling the heights, bit by bit.
It is about putting my time to good use. Of embracing temporary discomfort for long term gain. Of learning a skill which will help me communicate better, filter my thoughts and build a better relationship with my emotions.
It is about being okay with this stage of my journey — of accepting that I cannot skip the novice stage with the awkward sense of vulnerability mixed in with the desire to get better within the shortest time possible.
Admiration not jealousy
It is about using the success of other writers as an indicator of the possibilities which lay ahead, of celebrating my progress no matter how small it seems. It is learning to walk before I can run, of picking myself up each time I fall no matter how many times it happens.
It is about putting on blinders for the journey and showing up each day; building the routine, tweaking the processes and learning to extend grace to the beginner in me.
