21 ways to get (really) good at writing

September 15, 2007 2:39 PM

1. You get (really) good at writing by writing a lot.

2. You get (really) good at writing by being willing to suck at the beginning.

3. You get (really) good at writing by reading good writing.

4. You get (really) good at writing by reading bad writing.

5. You get (really) good at writing by studying the architecture of pages.

6. You get (really) good at writing sharing your writing with people who are smarter than you who rip your writing apart.

7. You get (really) good at writing by reading everything Julia Cameron has ever written.

8. You get (really) good at writing by writing for the sake of writing, instead of writing for money, fame, increased traffic or sales.

9. You get (really) good at writing by writing every day.

10. You get (really) good at writing by doing your Morning Pages.

11. You get (really) good at writing by (not) planning and just writing.

12. You get (really) good at writing by blogging.

13. You get (really) good at writing by regularly expanding and challenging your creativity.

14. You get (really) good at writing by becoming a better thinker.

15. You get (really) good at writing by discovering your voice.

16. You get (really) good at writing by writing about stuff you like.

17. You get (really) good at writing by learning how to addict yourself to writing.

18. You get (really) good at writing by posting your work on the Web and letting the world be your editor.

19. You get (really) good at writing by observing the world through your creative filter.

20. You get (really) good at writing by not making a big deal about writing.

21. You get (really) good at writing by recognizing that procrastination isn’t about laziness, it’s about fear.

22. You get (really) good at writing by posting a sticky note on your computer that says, “What did you write today?”

23. You get (really) good at writing by posting a sticky note on your computer that says, “Is everything you know written down somewhere?”

24. You get (really) good at writing by journaling every day.

25. You get (really) good at writing by admitting that writing is the basis of all wealth.

26. You get (really) good at writing by remembering that if you don’t write it down, it never happened.

27. You get (really) good at writing by making lots and lots of lists.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How did you get (really) good at writing?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Finish this sentence five times: “You get (really) good at writing by…” Post your answers here! I’m trying to get the list up to 500 so I can create a free ebook called “500 Ways to Get (Really) Good at Writing.” (Full credit will be given for all contributions.)

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Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag

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