7 Writing Tips Every Writer Should Know

Anyone who tells you writing is easy is probably using ChatGPT.

The truth is, being a good writer is a hard skill to master. It takes practice, discipline, creativity and a willingness to experiment and screw up.

But there are some proven hacks you can use to be a more productive and efficient writer. Whether you're struggling with writer's block or just feeling really bad, try implementing these strategies to get the words off the page.

Related: This is What 300 Writers Say Made Their Success

1. Write every day

Writing takes practice. Taking time to write every day, even if it's only 10 or 15 minutes, will inevitably improve your writing. Think of it like exercising. The more you train, the stronger you become.

Before you write, give yourself a goal for what you want to accomplish in your 10-minute session. It could be an email to an important client, an essay, a fiction, or a love letter. It doesn't matter what it is or how good it is, as long as it lets you write something for you.

2. Write for concentrated periods of time

Many writers swear by the Pomodoro technique. This involves dividing your writing time into small, focused intervals or "pomodoros", usually 25 minutes each, followed by short breaks.

Why is it effective? The Pomodoro technique helps push back procrastination by forcing you to do it for short periods of time rather than long periods, which can be daunting. It also helps you manage your time better by planning your writing time and breaks==

One more tip: silence all social media, email, phone, and web browsers during your pomodoros to avoid distractions. It only takes 25 minutes; you can do it!

3. Find out more

At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious, you can't be a good writer unless you read good writing. It's a bit like trying to be a good tennis player but never playing tennis.

Reading can be difficult in our hyper-distracted world, with Instagram posts and TikTok videos vying for our attention. Last year, a Gallup poll found that American adults read about two or three fewer books per year than between 2001 and 2016.

But reading well-written books and articles can help expand your vocabulary and expose you to different writing styles and techniques. By reading good writing, you will learn a lot about what you absorb, like osmosis. Your grammar will improve, your word choice will become smarter, you will have better ideas, and you will have an overall appreciation for writing.

4. Be done, not perfect

"Done is better than perfect," freelance writer David Hochman told me on my Write About Now podcast. Hochman has written thousands of stories for different publications, and his advice to budding writers is to stop caring so much about your content.

"Don't worry about getting it perfect," he says. "That won't happen, especially if you're the final judge. Sometimes just finishing something is enough.

To hear my full interview with David on writing hacks, check out the podcast below.

5. Write first, edit later

It's a rookie mistake to edit yourself as you write. Professional writers know that the best technique is to let the first draft flow, putting your ideas on screen without worrying about perfection. Later you can go back and edit.

When you focus on writing without stopping to edit, you let your creative side take the wheel, generating ideas you might not have thought of otherwise. You also avoid getting bogged down in details like stopping to do a "quick" internet search, which takes you down an unproductive rabbit hole for 2 hours.

Related: Want to be a better book and essay writer? Start by avoiding these common writing mistakes.

6. Show Don't Tell

One hack that will make your writing stand out from the pack is to provide good sensory detail that allows the reader to experience the story rather than just being told what's going on. It is more ...