5 Best Writing Tips From World’s Famous Writers
Level up your writing skills by applying these writing tips to your writing
The late, great author Maya Angelou famously said:
“there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
As a writer, I know this to be true.
The desire to write can be all-consuming, and the process of putting words to paper (or screen) can be both exhilarating and frustrating.
However, the rewards of writing are worth the effort. Through writing, we can communicate our thoughts and feelings, share our experiences, and connect with others.
While there is no one “right” way to write, there are certain things that all writers can do to improve their craft.
When it comes to writing, everyone is their own worst critic. We all have those inner voices that tell us we’re not good enough, and that our work isn’t worth publishing.
There are plenty of other things that can hold you back.
But the truth is, with a little bit of practice and these five writing tips from some of the world’s most famous authors, you can improve your writing skills and become a more confident writer.
1. Ernest Hemingway: “The first draft of anything is shit.”
While this may be harsh, it’s also true. The first draft of anything is always going to be rough around the edges.
This is why it’s so important to keep working at it until it is perfect. By continuing to revise and edit your work, you will eventually end up with a finished product that you can be proud of.
So don’t get discouraged if your first draft isn’t perfect. Just keep working at it and you will eventually get there.
This advice from Ernest Hemingway is essential for any writer who wants to improve their craft.
It can be easy to get discouraged when our first drafts don’t measure up to our expectations, but it’s important to remember that everyone goes through this.
The key is to keep working at it until the piece is as good as it can be. This advice applies to all aspects of writing, whether we’re working on a novel, a short story, or even an essay.
You can become great writers by applying yourself and refusing to give up.
2. William Golding: “You can’t help everyone, so don’t try.”
As a writer, I often find myself struggling with the question of whether or not my work is truly helpful.
There are so many people in the world who need help, and it can be overwhelming to try and reach everyone.
William Golding’s advice has helped me to focus on those who I can help, and to write with the intention of truly making a difference in their lives.
By narrowing my focus to those I can help, I have been able to develop deeper relationships with my readers.
As a result, I have been able to create content that is more targeted and useful.
Furthermore, this approach has also helped me to manage my time more effectively, as I am not spreading myself too thin.
I believe this advice can help other writers become good writers by reminding them to focus on their target audience and not get distracted by trying to please everyone.
When you have a clear vision for your writing and who you’re writing for, it becomes much easier to produce great work that resonates with readers.
So, if you’re struggling with your writing, try narrowing your focus and thinking about who you’re really writing for. It just might make a world of difference.
3 James Baldwin: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
As a writer, I often find myself facing a blank page with no idea of what to write next.
It can be daunting, but I’ve found that the best way to overcome this is to simply start writing.
It doesn’t matter if what I write down isn’t perfect or even makes sense — the important thing is to get the words flowing. Once I have something down on paper, I can start to edit and shape it into something coherent.
This advice from James Baldwin has helped me become a better writer by teaching me to embrace imperfection and just start writing.
However, Baldwin’s advice reminds us that the first step to becoming a good writer is to face our fears and our doubts.
We need to be honest with ourselves about where we need improvement and take the necessary steps to make those changes. Only then can we hope to become truly great writers.
This advice can help other writers in similar ways.
Too often, we get caught up in trying to make our writing perfect from the start. We want every word to be perfect, but that’s not how writing works.
Writing is messy and chaotic and it takes time to hone our craft.
By starting with imperfection, we can give ourselves the freedom to explore and experiment without the pressure of perfection.
4 Maya Angelou: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
Maya Angelou’s words have always resonated with me, and I think they can be incredibly helpful for any writer who is struggling to find their voice.
So often, we get caught up in the act of writing itself and we forget the importance of the story.
It’s easy to get trapped in the mechanics of craft, but at the end of the day, what readers want is a good story.
And that starts with us bearing our own untold stories. When we are honest with ourselves and write from a place of vulnerability, that’s when the magic happens.
The best advice I can give any writer is to take Maya Angelou’s words to heart and use them as a starting point for your own journey.
You’ll be surprised at how much power your words will have once you unlock the stories that are waiting to be told.
5 Toni Morrison: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
Toni Morrison’s advice to writers is to write the books they want to read. This advice has helped me become a good writer because it reminds me that there are always stories yet to be told.
When I sit down to write, I think about the kinds of stories that I would want to read.
What kind of world do I want to escape into? What characters do I want to follow? What journey do I want to take?
Answering these questions always gives me a direction to go in and something to strive for. And, importantly, it reminds me that my voice matters.
Everyone has a unique perspective to share, and the world is always in need of more stories. This advice has helped me become a good writer, and I believe it can help other writers become good writers as well.
It is a reminder that we all have something valuable to contribute.
Conclusion
All of these quotes from famous writers have one thing in common: they remind us of the importance of writing.
Writing is a powerful tool that can help us share our stories and connect with others on a deeper level.
It can be an outlet for our emotions and it can help us understand the world around us better. When we write from a place of honesty and vulnerability, we can create something truly special.
So don’t be afraid to start writing, even if you don’t think your words are perfect.
Just dive in and see where the journey takes you. You may be surprised at what you find.
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