 | It’s February now, but we’re still not done with our New Year’s Resolution articles. Last month, we published a piece with five bits of advice on how you can become a better writer in 2014. This article is part two of that series. |
So if you’re looking for real, actionable advice on how to improve your writing – look no further.
Here’s 5 (More) Ways to Become a Better Writer in 2014…
Here’s 5 (More) Ways to Become a Better Writer in 2014…
1) quit Better
Sometimes great story ideas have inherent problems, or traps, that make them impossible to write. At Script Quack, we call these "Fool's Gold Concepts," and they can be incredibly dangerous.
Writers labor over these ideas for years and years, trying to make them work, wasting time and talent in the process, when they should have quit way back at square one (or two).
In 2014, keep your eye out for fool's gold, and don't be afraid to toss shiny concepts aside for those that are easier to write.
Writers labor over these ideas for years and years, trying to make them work, wasting time and talent in the process, when they should have quit way back at square one (or two).
In 2014, keep your eye out for fool's gold, and don't be afraid to toss shiny concepts aside for those that are easier to write.
2) write More
Practice makes perfect, (or it at least makes you better), so write as often as possible.
Not sure what to write between big projects? See point #2 in last month's article, 5 Ways to Become a Better Writer in 2014. (Hint: Shorter pieces are a great way to keep your writing muscle active.)
Not sure what to write between big projects? See point #2 in last month's article, 5 Ways to Become a Better Writer in 2014. (Hint: Shorter pieces are a great way to keep your writing muscle active.)
3) Be Your Own Harshest Critic
Complacency is the enemy of improvement. So no matter how good you think your writing is, be sure to focus on improving your weaknesses rather than admiring your strengths.
4) Help your friends (and get them to help you)
If you meet a writer whose work you admire, offer to read their scripts in case they ever need a fresh set of eyes. Then when you need notes, you can ask them to return the favor.
This practice will help you in a few ways:
- You'll get to read good scripts from a writer you respect
- You'll get good notes when you desperately need them
- You'll make friends
This practice will help you in a few ways:
- You'll get to read good scripts from a writer you respect
- You'll get good notes when you desperately need them
- You'll make friends
5) think for yourself
There’s a ton of writing advice out there, from books to YouTube videos, to sites like this one. Lots of that information can be really helpful. But there isn’t a single piece of advice, including articles we publish here, that will work for every writer or every script.
Writing can be a very frustrating process. Some advice will be really helpful for you. But that same advice, taken differently, could hurt someone else’s script.
So every time you get a note, give it careful thought, and only use what works for you.
Writing can be a very frustrating process. Some advice will be really helpful for you. But that same advice, taken differently, could hurt someone else’s script.
So every time you get a note, give it careful thought, and only use what works for you.
how has your year been?
We're almost six weeks into 2014. Comment below to let us know how your year is going!