Some tips for all writers – from HUB writing partners

As writing partners, we sometimes have writers stop by the HUB to ask “How can I improve my writing in general?”

Though one of our first suggestions is – “Visit The HUB!” – we’ve got a few other suggestions for you as well. Some of these tips you can do on your own, some are collaborative, but all of them are ones many writers have used.

So have a look to see what you might want to try:

Realize that writing will take time.

• View writing as a process! It doesn’t need to come out perfectly right away. Take time to come back to your writing and make changes.​

• Start with a solid outline with simple ideas/sentences. Build on those!

• Write ahead of time! Give yourself time to step away from the writing before you make any final edits.

• Practice! Practice writing in general – do free writing and get feedback on it.

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• Think about your writing process – what stages do you find frustrating or at what point do you feel you aren’t quite achieving what you want? Identifying those can offer more focus for you to look at – and if you want help, come to the HUB! :)​

Realize that writing is a social action.
​(You’re never really writing alone!)

• Have an intended audience in mind to guide your writing. That way you can write with purpose.

 

• Accept and implement feedback – without losing your own writing style.

 

• Try out peer editing since that helps you improve not only your own writing, it also lets you help others. So share your writing with peers!

 

• Imagine you’re writing to a friend – someone you really want to share ideas with. That can help you feel less intimidated by your potential readers.

 

• Talk about your ideas – even before you write. This really can help you pinpoint where you want to head with your writing. And you can come into The HUB just to talk and brainstorm too!

Read and research so you have more to say

• Find good examples of writing through books, journal articles, etc. 

 

• Read aloud and read in general (all different types of books, genres, articles, scripts, etc.) 

 

• Read about writing. Some options to look at would be Bad Ideas about Writing or Stephen King’s On Writing.

 

• Do research on the topic so you can become passionate enough to write a solid paper.

 

• Spend plenty of time actively reading to be properly familiar with the topic of your essay.

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Realize you can learn a lot from your own past writing.

• Go back to writing you completed and look at commentary. Ask follow-up questions.

 

• Find a voice. Or reflect on things you’ve written that you like and pinpoint why that is.

 

• Reflect on what you’re proud of in your writing too; having confidence in yourself will motivate you to write even more and to continue improving!

 

• And try to have some fun! Write on what you care about to people you care about!