Some writers argue that people cannot learn how to write creatively, that a writer cannot learn to write by taking a course. However, this assumes that all writers want to write fiction. What about non-fiction writers?
To write fiction, an author does need imagination and creativity. To write non-fiction, they need the knowledge to write about.
But writing is like any other skill, it can be improved through study and practice.
So it would be better to ask the question – can we study to improve our writing? And the answer to that is a resounding yes.
If you are trying to improve your writing, it is important to also consider – What, When, Where, How and Why.
What?
The first step is to think what you want to write about. This might be fiction or non-fiction. A writer may want to write horror stories or romances, or a guide to understanding economic or physics.
Some writers may have one idea that they are keen to develop into a book, whilst others may have a glut of ideas.
The first step to improving your writing is to decide what you want to write about. Pick one topic and stick to it.
When?
When will you write. This sounds simple, but life can be busy and complicated, and sometimes finding the time to write can be difficult. Think about your day to day life and work out when you could write.
- Emily gets up at 5am and writes for two hours before she gets ready for work.
- Si writes during his lunch hour.
- Mel writes in a café when her children are at a sports club.
- Adele writes late into the night as she finds this the quietest time.
- Some people may find it hard to have a set time each week or day, so try to think when you can fit your writing into your daily life. If it’s hard to do every day, why not set a target of three times a week. The more we write, the more it becomes a habit.
Where?
This ties into where. Where will we write? At home? In bed? On the train? In a coffee shop? In the library? It is about finding what works best for you. Some people want silence when they are writing, whilst others may find it easy to write in a noisier environment.
How?
Most publishers want to see typed drafts of work before they will consider them today. Even if an author decides to self-publish, their work will need to be typed.
It is, therefore, important to consider how you write.
- Some writers might prefer to write straight onto a computer.
- Others may want to write with a pen and paper, before typing their work out.
- Do you write as you go along?
- Or do you prefer to develop a careful plan of what is going to happen before you start?
It is all down to personal preference.
Why?
You might think that why should have been the first question, but as a writer, it can be easy to forget why you want to write. Being a writer can feel overwhelming at times –
- A writer may have too many ideas and struggle to decide what to write.
- Or they might find that they are running out of ideas and can’t think of anything to write about.
- They may struggle to find the time or place to write.
When a writer is struggling, they need to think why they wanted to write in the first place. Because they enjoy it? Because they want to make money from their writing? Because they want to share their experiences with others? Help others?
When the writing gets tough, it is important to keep going back to why you want to write.
Above all, writing should be enjoyable. That doesn’t mean it is a laugh a minute, it means that it is something you enjoy doing, something you want to do, for whatever reason you want to write.
If you have the what, when, where, how and why in place, then the next step is to get writing. If you feel you need to improve your writing, then taking a course or two can really help. It can also be motivational to try new techniques and to get feedback from an experienced writer who wants to help you succeed.
Why not have a look at our creative writing short courses?
Creative Writing - Short 20 hour self-study course.
Blogging
Writing a Novel
If you prefer to have a tutor, we also offer tutor supported courses, which you can view here.