177. How can I improve my writing skills?

I write for myself in my journal and I find it highly therapeutic. I write down my dreams that I see at night, my thoughts, and those of others that catch my attention. Then, after some time I reflect on my writing and ask myself: what are my subconscious mind and the world trying to tell me? I find amazing answers. It helps me to understand myself and what is happening around me better.

I also write for others. I have co-authored a few books on English speech mastery. I write articles daily on English speech, public speaking, and philosophy.

When you write for others keep these three things in mind:

  1. What is the purpose of your writing? For example: to inform, to educate, to raise questions and clarify them, to express meanings, etc.

  2. Who are you writing for and what are the benefits of your writing to your audience? Adjust your language according to your audience and outline the benefits for them in your writing.

  3. What is your writing style? Examples: conversational or formal, storytelling, reporting, analysis, a training manual or a theoretical “how to” book, etc.

Below are a few practical tips to make your writing more advanced:

  1. Structure your writing; have an introduction, main body, and conclusion

  2. Use rhetorical devices

  3. Use synonyms and antonyms, precise and powerful words. For example: not just “good” and “bad”, but “nefarious” and “magnificent”. I recommend using the dictionary of synonyms when writing

  4. Avoid repetitions unless you use repetition as a rhetorical device

  5. Write about profound things using simple language. Avoid writing about shallow /primitive things using sophisticated words

In conclusion, I want to share the secret of good writing. It is editing. Writing my first book took me three months to write it and six months to edit it. Editing is similar to polishing a rough stone until it turns into a diamond.

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