Spuddy Buddies

this love was worth it

I saw this the other day - I think someone posted it - and I like it. This is an article from copyblogger.com. I wish I came across this earlier because it sort of helps in big ways.

Doing these things can help you become a better writer:

1. Become a blogger.

2. Use self-imposed word limits.

3. Accept all forms of criticism and learn to grow from it. (Okay, still trying to get started here. Showing my work to others is sort of intimidating because it just is.)

4. Read what you’ve written over and over, until you can’t find any more problems. (Now I do this a lot but I often get distracted by other things)

5. Show what you write to a trusted friend for feedback. (Hah, my sister, sometimes)

6. Outline. And then write to that outline.

7. Edit, and edit again. (Don't I always?)

8. Live with passion. (Ditto)

9. Be open, curious, present, and engaged. (Double ditto)

10. Take a break between writing and editing.

11. Learn a new word a day. (I don't know if I'm doing this but I do look up the dictionary a lot)

12. Get the pen and fingers moving.

13. Write in different genres: blog posts, poems, short stories, essays.

14. Read grammar books. (There's one lying beside me but I gave up on that a couple of months ago. Does that mean it's time to pick it up again?)

15. Write without distractions. (I need this. Badly. Where is the solitary silence that I crave for?)

16. Challenge yourself: write in a crowded cafe, write on the toilet, write for 24 hours straight. (If only people would stop looking over my shoulder, lol)

17. Take a trip. Road trips, beach trips, bus trips, plane trips.

18. Watch movies. Can you write the story better? (Oh, I love this.)

19. Write. And then write some more.

20. Read, think, read, write, ponder, write – and read some more. (This is so me.)

21. Read your stuff aloud to anyone who can stand it – including the cat.

22. Go back and cut 10% from your word count. (I'm not exactly sure what this means but I do go back and cut)

23. Talk to people.

24. Listen to how people talk.

25. Read lots of books. Both good and bad. (Thanks, Twilight. LOL. Okay, that's mean. I like good books and I pride myself in having good taste. My friends recommend books that they think are amazing. I find them so-so and sometimes, bad)

26. Make notes of your (fleeting) brilliant ideas.

27. Start your writing ahead of time – not hours before a deadline.

28. Listen to podcasts on writing tips.

29. Use simple, declarative sentences. (Picked this up from Mom who is also a writer and one of my favorite writers)

30. Avoid passive voice. (Really? Good advice. I'm constantly wondering which one to use - active or passive)

31. Limit your use of adjectives and adverbs. (Ah, ever descriptive us)

32. When in doubt, cut it out. (I need to observe this advice :/)

33. Kill clunky sentences.

34. Be inspired by other art forms – music, dance, sculpture, painting.

35. Read your old stuff and acknowledge how far you’ve come – and how far you have to go.

36. Write for publication, even if it’s only for the local newsletter or a small blog.

37. Make writing your priority in the morning. (I need my 'me' time *bangs head on keyboard*)

38. Keep squeezing words out even if you feel uninspired. (Blehh, I always close the word document when I'm uninspired)

39. Tell everyone: “I’m a writer.” ( :/ )

40. Recognize your fear and overcome it.

41. Let your articles rest and then return to them with fresh eyes.

42. Comment on your favorite blogs.

43. Keep a journal to keep the writing juices flowing.

44. Use a journal to sort out your thoughts and feelings. (Sometimes)

45. Keep it simple.

46. Practice monotasking. Set a timer for uninterrupted writing.

47. Watch people. (Good thing I'm a people-watcher then)

48. Get to know someone different from you and reflect on the experience.

49. Try new ideas or hobbies – the more variety you have in your life, the more likely you are to keep on generating good ideas on the page.

50. Read works from different cultures. It helps keep your writing from tasting stale in the mouths of your readers. ( )

51. Rethink what is ‘normal’. (Always!)

52. Work on brilliant headlines. (I like)

53. Check if your assumptions are right.

54. Join a writing group. If you can’t find one, form one.

55. Write during your most productive hours of the day. (Usually when everyone's quiet)

56. Designate time to research.

57. Take time to muse and mindmap.

58. Map out a writing schedule for your project and stick to it.

59. Ask someone else to proofread.

60. Read Zinsser’s “On Writing Well” at least once a year.

61. Break out of your comfort zone.

62. Write at the scene. If you want to write about a beach, get a picnic rug and go write by the sea. (Mmhmm, sounds goooood)

63. Go to the supermarket, the ball game, the class room, the building site. Make notes of the sensuous details, the atmosphere, the people. (I like this)

64. Start with metaphors and stories.

65. Approach writing with gratitude, not just with a ‘must do this’ attitude.

66. Deconstruct and analyze books and articles you enjoy. (I've turned pages of books I love until they're all worn out. The more tattered my books are, the more you know the value of it to me)

67. Know about story architecture. Many writers don’t. Which is like doing heart surgery or flying an airliner by intuition. Survival rates are low.

68. Socialize with other writers.

69. Stretch or exercise in between writing. (I need to do this too)

70. Make a note of ideas for further development before you leave a piece for tomorrow. (I should because I like to keep it mind but when I wake up the next morning, I have to dig deep to remember what I was thinking about)

71.Use mindmaps for inspiration.

72. Take risks – don’t be afraid to shock. You are not who you think you are. (Cool. I'm Batman)

73. [Please add your own suggestion in the comment section!]