How can I improve my writing skills?

Dibakar Dutta

Tips from an aspiring author:

• Become a “Grammar Nazi”:-

1. (High School English Grammar) is the finest book in grammar that I have ever come across in my life.

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• Become a “Vocab Ninja”:-

1. Whenever I come across a new word, I don’t overlook it.
2. I find out the meaning and use it frequently in my answers. For Example, “Flabbergast” as a synonym for “Amaze/astonish”.
3. Frequent usage impregnates the new found word in my mind.
4. Listen to people with an amazing vocabulary. (The Newshour: With Arnab Goswami) Words such as, “hooliganism”, “vandalism”, “chauvinism” and “nuance” were cherry picked by me during one of his heated debating sessions.
5. This website ( Vocabulary.com.) helped me learn new words through a thorough and step-by-step analysis.

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• Select the Right Genre:-

1. Try writing across an array of genres such as, Fiction| Comedy| Drama | Horror| Non-fiction| Realistic fiction |Romance |Satire.
2. Soon, you will realize what genres you’re good at.
3. Personally, I can’t write in the genre of “Comedy”.
4. According to me, “Horror” is the toughest genre to write for. If you’re great at that, you already have my respect.
5. Research on the (Difference Between Short Story and Novel) and other literary works.
6. Choose the one that best suits your interest.

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• The Unethical Secret:-

1. Observe closely, the writing style of good authors.
2. Try to emulate them for sometime. You will have a good kick start that would resolve many of your writing woes.
3. Don’t post aforementioned write up on the web. You will be slapped with charges of plagiarism.
4. Over time, you will develop your unique writing style. (Been there, done that!)

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• My final tips:-

1. It took me 3 long years (2013–2016) to attain and develop the writing style I currently have.
2. A strong command over writing is not an overnight process. So don’t get disheartened.
3. Skills take longer to hone but take a shorter span of time to lose. Don’t give up on writing under any circumstances.
4. “Flamboyancy in literature has no meaning, if you fail to connect to your readers. If keeping things simple does the trick, you’re a successful writer”.

Regards.

Edits:-

1. Sample write up in 2016:- The Final “Goodbye”
2. Sample write up in 2013:-

• Check the difference for yourself.