First off, I am far from the most accomplished writer out there, but I do have multiple works in publication and even more coming down the pipe. Even so, I have learned a great deal from my professors and colleagues within the writing community. I would like to take this opportunity to convey what I have learned in hopes of inspiring a few other writers out there!

What is step one in being a good writer? The answer is simple: being an avid reader. The more often you read, especially authors who are outside of your comfort zone, the more likely you are to develop a strong foundation for your writing. Not only does this expand your vocabulary, but it will instill in you a wide range of different styles and prose. Being uncomfortable is a familiar feeling to all writers and instead of shying away from this, embrace it!

You must be willing to accept criticism and a lot of it! This is a challenge for every single writer out there, but it is absolutely crucial to becoming a better writer. That said, 80 percent of criticism that comes your way will be useless, while 20 percent holds genuine value to improving the quality of your work. It is up to you to determine which advice is worthwhile.

Understand the difference between editing and revision. Editing is simple fixes that can be made by anyone concerning grammar, structure, and punctuation. Revision, on the other hand, revolves around more drastic changes to the story itself. Changing the premise of an entire chapter, adding in a new scene or character, and rewriting a sentence for greater narrative flow are all examples of revision. Write for clarity. The goal is not to show the reader how much you know or what ten-dollar words you use, but rather, whether you can effectively convey a structured narrative to the average reader.

Start with what you know and branch outward! Take the time to sit and observe, noting all details that you see, smell, hear, and feel. Now try to capture that same experience on paper. It’s more challenging than it sounds, but it will give you the foundation you need to be an immersive writer. Once you feel comfortable with what you know, go exploring. Research a new culture or language. Delve into the history of another country. Find something that grabs your attention and learn all you can about it!

What else can you do? Take a creative writing workshop at a local university or find a local writer’s group. Readers are an incredibly valuable asset in the writing process. Start a monthly book club or writer’s club and workshop each other’s stories. Go to local seminars and lectures on writing and talk with experienced authors whenever possible.

And above all: WRITE! Don’t worry about making it perfect the first time. It’ll never be perfect in a first draft. If you have an idea, get it recorded as quickly as you can and run ahead with it. Just keep going until you are wrung dry of ideas. Then, go back and revise, revise, revise!

Whatever your motivation and whatever genre you prefer to write, these guidelines will help you grow as a writer. Take chances and delve into new opportunities whenever they present themselves.