The Northern Edit

There is no doubt in my mind you’ve heard the phrase “practice makes perfect.” This advice isn’t wrong. If you practice writing you will undoubtedly improve over time. You write and rework, then write and rework. This is a huge part of the writing process. However, this is not the only way you can improve your writing!

I want to share at least two ways you can level up your writing skills.

Get outside input.

I’m not sure it’s possible to grow into your full potential without having outside input. Consider a plant. A seed needs water and sunlight to begin growing. To really flourish, a seed also needs good soil to grow in, the space to grow, and even fertilizer. Writers need to know how to read and write, but we also need to practice and have others read our work to really grow. Whether it’s a friend or an editor, it’s extremely helpful to have another set of eyes to review your work. They may have helpful insight for you and can help point out mistakes you may have made.

When we read our own work we often miss errors or lack the perspective of another reader. As with any form of communication, there is always a chance of being misunderstood. Another reader can give you insight as to where you might be misunderstood within your writing.

Read.

It’s really that simple. The more you read, the more you will discover how to write. As you read others’ work you will notice how things are structured, what works, what doesn’t, and more. Try to read a variety of different types of writing. Try to read texts from different cultures, time periods, and even read translations of texts written in other languages. Take note of what really moves you and sticks in your memory. You can look back at these sections of text and try to see how the author captivated you. Maybe they used descriptive language that made the text come alive. Maybe they wrote a clear and precise thesis that convinced you to believe their argument is correct. Maybe their idea was unique or something you have never heard of before.

Learn from others. Explore and broaden your horizons. Even if you don’t agree with the author, exploring with an open mind will always benefit you and by extension your writing. So crack open those books and get reading! It will only make you stronger!