10 Essential Steps to Becoming a Skilled Writer

Writing is a lifelong journey that requires practice, patience, and a neverending willingness to learn. Just starting? Looking to refine your skills? There are key steps you can take to become a better writer. We break down 10 steps to get you started on this creative adventure.

Bonus Tip: AI Tools for Better Writing

The ethical question of using AI in your writing is a hot-button issue in the literary community. But you can still use AI responsibly in your practice. Consider AI tools to polish your original writing or kick-start your creative battery. How, exactly? Well. AI can assist with grammar checks and spelling errors, giving you suggestions on tone and clarity. They are helpful if you’re seeking writing prompts: ask for a random word and build a story around it. If your style is a bit dry or academic, you can even run your texts through something like AI to Human Rewriter for a more lively touch to improve repetitive sentence structure. With AI writing tools, you can quickly identify areas for improvement and save time on editing. Incorporating these tools into your process is a practical step toward developing a consistent writing style.

1. Read a Lot

As a writer, reading is fuel for your creativity. A well-rounded library hosts a variety of genres, from novels to articles and essays. Through them, you’ll get to observe different writing styles and techniques. In his book On Writing, Stephen King says, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” Wondering what you should read? Go for classic literature and contemporary fiction and non-fiction first. Don’t forget about poetry. Explore outside your comfort zone and pay attention to writers from across the globe. The more diverse your reading list, the more ideas you gather for your writing prompts. Have a genre you’d like to try your hand at in the future? Pay special attention to it, and note what’s lacking in the niche. What would you like to improve upon or add to the conversation? Reading lets you learn what resonates with you and how to develop your writing style.

2. Make Writing a Routine, Not a Hobby

Waiting for inspiration? You might be waiting forever. It’s good to ride the wave as it sweeps you off your feet, but what are you left with when it’s gone? Wasted time and potential? Great writing comes from making it an everyday activity. Like a muscle, it will get stronger with daily exercise. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to get words down on paper without the struggle. Set a daily or weekly writing goal, even if it’s just 200 words a day. Building a writing routine helps you refine your skills and keeps ideas flowing. We mentioned Stephen King already, so let’s turn to the maestro again. “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut,” the dude said. And he writes daily and for hours, to the apparent great success. So.

3. Know Your Audience and Adjust Your Voice

Before you start writing, think about who will read your work. Are you writing for students or professionals? Young adults or the older crowd? Maybe even kids? Knowing your audience helps you tailor your tone and content accordingly. For example, a casual blog post will differ significantly from a formal essay. At the same time, a blog post for a hip student crowd and a Midwestern mom will have completely different vibes. Identifying your audience allows you to communicate effectively and keep your readers engaged from start to finish. Know what moves your audience, what they lack, and how your writing can enrich their lives.

4. Create Outlines to Guide Your Writing

Writing without a plan is like going on a road trip without a map. Even the dullest pencil is more effective than the sharpest memory. Outlines act as a guide to keep your ideas alive and organized. They don’t need to be detailed — just bullet points of the main sections you want to cover. DO NOT write in a code. You’re not Lewis Carol with his nyctography. You WILL forget what this “martha 2 apples+ted like in jaws” scribble was about. Just keep it clean and clear. Outlining is particularly important when working on longer pieces like books or essays. Pay attention to things beyond events: note down themes, locations, and character arc points.

5. Edit and Learn to “Kill Your Darlings”

Editing is where the real magic happens. It’s necessary to revise your work, checking for out-of-character moments, logical inconsistencies, and plot holes. Clarity, grammar, and flow are also important because a tasty cake should be pretty. However, this process also involves cutting out unnecessary elements, even if they’re your favorite parts. “Killing your darlings” means letting go of lines or ideas that don’t serve the piece, no matter how well-written. Remember, editing isn’t about perfection but about making your writing the best version of itself. To King again: “Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.”

6. Set Deadlines and Create Schedules

Writing with a deadline in mind helps you stay on track and manage your time effectively. Even if it’s a self-imposed deadline, it pushes you to finish what you start. Breaking down your writing project into smaller, manageable tasks with set timelines can keep you motivated and prevent procrastination. You can ask someone to help you enforce the time limits. If you’re unable to meet them anyway, examine why. Maybe the steps should be even tinier. Maybe there’s something deeper going on that has to be addressed.

7. Take Writing Classes for Guidance

Learning from professionals or engaging with a community of writers can be incredibly helpful, even for the introverted among us. If you write, you want to be heard on some level. Face-to-face communication might be too much for someone initially, but that’s what online groups and chats are for. On the other hand, live writing classes provide structured guidance, feedback, and an opportunity to experiment with different genres. They introduce you to new techniques and writing strategies you might not have considered before. Plus, they create a sense of accountability, which can help you stay committed to your writing goals.

8. Write What You Know and Research What You Don’t

Drawing from your own experiences brings authenticity and relatability to your writing. Incorporating personal stories or insights makes your content unique. You don’t have to make it autobiographical; talk through your characters and the narrative. However, when venturing into topics outside your knowledge base, it’s important to do your research. If you’re depicting someone else’s lived experience, approach it with respect and empathy. You can conduct interviews, read relevant primary and secondary sources, and even hire a sensitivity reader. The more informed you are, the more credible and engaging your writing will be. A balance between personal experience and research adds depth to your text.

9. Network in the Literary Community and Seek a Literary Agent

Writing might seem like a solitary activity, but networking is necessary to grow in the space. Take part in hashtags and challenges online; weigh in on discussions only if you have something relevant, educated, and polite to say. Engage with other writers and attend literary events. Connecting with publishers can open doors. The right literary agent is your ally in navigating the publishing world. They offer guidance and expertise that can make the difference between your manuscript gathering dust and getting published. Getting picked up by a literary agent is a long process, and you have to have a finished manuscript or two to show for yourself before you start. If you see yourself in traditional publishing, begin searching for a literary agent as soon as you’ve finished something you believe to be competent and a good representation of yourself as a writer.

10. Publish Your Work Online

Start putting your writing out there! Blogs, online magazines, and social media platforms are great places to share your work and gain feedback. As a beginner, don’t worry too much about perfection. Use platforms like Medium or personal blogs to build a portfolio and connect with an audience. Publishing online also helps you establish your voice and gain confidence in your writing. Just be passionate and invested in the topics you interact with, and make sure your research is solid. Then the readers will find you!

Writing is a skill that develops over time. By following these 10 steps, you can cultivate your writing abilities and grow into a writer who expresses themselves consistently and confidently. Remember, every writer starts somewhere, so don’t be afraid to take that first step and keep learning.