Effective Writing Strategies that Work

Writing is so simple to do and yet so difficult to do well. What are the writing strategies that work? After all anyone can put pen to paper. For some, even professional writers, the mere act of writing proves difficult and chore-like. Even when we really want to write, sitting down at your writing desk and actually doing it can be intimidating. Stupid blank computer screen staring at us!

I used to hate writing! In school, writing was a chore. Gradually my interest in writing grew and became an outlet. As my interest grew beyond writing for personal reasons to writing for (gasp!) an audience, the typical obstacles that every author wrestles with, came knocking.

Success Rules offers these writing strategies and writing techniques for you! We hope they help.

RULE #1: Write, Just Write
I want to be a really good writer. Actually writing, sometimes seems daunting. I can usually make it over to the computer and sit down, but then there’s email, checking stocks, checking the online sports headlines, etc. I can waste hours at my computer, not writing even though, it’s what I really want to do.
Why is this?

I had an “AHA!” moment the other night. It’s made writing much easier for me and it’s my favorite of the writing strategies.

RULE #2: Writers Read
The best writers are active readers. Like fish & water, pizza & beer, or my beloved Minnesota Vikings & never winning a Super Bowl, reading & writing go hand in hand.
You will broaden your perspective & vocabulary, gain insight and be a better writer, simply by reading a book! Writers influence other writers and great authors are active readers.

RULE #3: Experience Life!
There’s a reason most kids aren’t child authors. They haven’t lived enough and they can’t drink! Many famous authors get published not because they’re skilled at wordplay but because they tell stories about life.
All fiction begins with truth. No matter what you’re writing about, great authors tell stories that capture the readers’ attention. Venturing out and experiencing all that life has to offer is one of the best writing strategies!

RULE #4: Carry a Moleskine
One never knows when inspiration will hit. Capture it in a Moleskine. Every good writer/artist carries a notebook with them at all times and has one on their night stand.
Of the 5 writing strategies presented here, this should almost be Rule# 1! A Moleskine is the famous notebook used for centuries by famous authors, artists, playwrights and thinkers. From Van Gogh to Hemingway to Picasso & Bruce Chatwin, join the club, carry a Moleskine with you and absorb the inspiration. Having a Moleskine is like bringing your writing desk with you.

RULE #5: Get Familiar with Your Thesaurus
You don’t have to be a capable or even crack wordsmith, but you can play one on paper! Have a “real live” thesaurus with you when you’re writing or check out one of the many online versions. They’re a colossal, jumbo, prodigious, monumental and immeasurable help when you’re searching for just the right, fitting, appropriate, virtuous or suitable word!

Bonus Writing Strategies!

No, spell checker will NOT correct all all your mistakes and miscues! The only way to insure what you wrote is what you really meant to say is to actually read what you wrote! Spell checker is good, but it only corrects spelling. It won’t correct the intent of what you tried to to say.

I find it much easier to proofread with an actual piece of paper in hand. Errors and omissions STAND OUT more on paper than on the monitor. I like to pace back and forth, reading aloud and with pen in hand, make corrections. This also gets the blood flowing to critical areas, like a sore gluteus maximus!

”It’s like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” -E.L.