Teens: You Can Develop The Skill of Writing!

Writing is a means of expressing one’s thoughts. Writing is also aimed at giving out information and impacting one’s readers. Writing could be hard especially when you strive for excellence. It’s hard to be rejected by magazines, journal, newspapers or agents. But it’s worth it especially when you hear that something you wrote meant something to another person. It’s an amazing way to connect with other people and it gives you the satisfying feeling that your life has a purpose.

Some individuals are naturally gifted writers while some acquire and develop the skills to become professional writers. Naturally gifted writers need to beware of being too fond of or carried away  by their own gift of writing which was God given no matter how gifted a writer is craftsmanship is necessary and more skills need to be acquired to make a successful and professional writer.

It takes time, patience, discipline, extraordinary focus and concentration for a writer to grow. In fact in writing hard work is more important than great talent. Ross Thomas once said “anyone who can write a simple declarative sentence has the potential to be a successful writer’’ courage, imagination, discipline, a passion for the craft is what really counts.

First a reader is a writer and a writer is a reader. If you want to be a good writer, if you want to improve your creativity and flow you have to read more never stop reading. Research and fact checking are very important in writing.

A writer as to observe precision, originality, pace, word choice, simplicity & clarity while writing, always observe your own words how do you think readers will take it, don’t slow down your pace by writing unnecessary things. Remove tension from your article by avoiding resistance & ambiguity.

A good writer also has to be detailed and concrete while writing, a writer doesn’t have to use too many adjectives i.e beautiful, tall .be more expressive instead of saying “he is unhappy” say “his lips trembled as he shed tears” give details , evoke emotions while writing.

If you write enough day after day you will eventually find your voice and style. Your voice is how you write, a writer also need a good self esteem. Your self esteem reflects in your writing. You have to be confident as a writer using big and complex vocabulary doesn’t confirm that you are confident but your ability to express yourself freely as it comes from your heart proves how confident you are. A writer also needs to know that his or her writing will not please every reader or critic but that doesn’t lessen the value of your writing.

In writing you also have to watch your spellings and grammar although they support vibrant writing, you have to ensure they are correct before using them always use a dictionary. You also have to write what you know because that way you write with authority. you can also incorporate your experience in your writing. Write about how you feel be emotional let your writing change you before it changes others. Avoid procrastination, use humour while writing. Certain words just make us laugh naturally words like bamboozled, bevy, bifurcate, gumption, lackadaisical, namby-pamby.

As an experienced and matured writer avoid clichés and the best time to write is when you are less distracted, cool and relaxed. when you are inspired at times day dreams get you inspired a lot of good writers are daydreamers. Never make your descriptions too long. Edit your own work. In conclusion everybody has what it takes to be a good writer it only requires hard work and determination, remember writers are achievers.

Orija oluwaponmile