Writing tips to help you become a better author

One of the good and bad things about writing tips is that there’s always something new to learn and something to improve on. It’s just part of the process. From fine-tuning your punctuation to adding depth to characters, you’ll always find things to do better and improve on.

It’s like a never-ending to-do list, but, you know, in a good way (hopefully).

In this article, I’ve pulled together a few writing tips to give your writing a little boost. No matter your style or experience level, these tips are sure to let you find the room you need for improvement.

Now that we’re here, let’s dive in!

Tips to become a better author

1. Read Like Your Career Depends on It (Because It Kind of Does):

If you want to be a better writer, you have to read more. Not just the genre you are into but all kinds of stuff—classics, mystery, cereal boxes… Okay, maybe not, but who knows? Inspiration can come from anywhere.

A mystery novel can teach you how to build suspense, a memoir can give you insight into character motivation, romance can teach you how to write romance, and a fantasy novel could teach you how to write, well, fantasy.

Reading helps you develop your vocabulary while fueling your creativity. It allows you to pick up different writing styles and techniques without even realizing it. You could encounter certain plot twists that you didn’t see coming. When you do, analyze what made them work. Find out why that scene resonated with you and what techniques the author used that you can replicate in your own story.

So, as you create time to write, carve out some time each day to read and remember it’s just not about quantity. Focus on quality too; you never know when a single sentence will inspire a breakthrough in your work.

2. Master Your Punctuation

Punctuation rules are some of the most commonly ignored rules in writing tips. It is the difference between ‘Let’s Eat, Grandma’ and ‘Let’s Eat Grandma’.

It may seem like a tiny detail you can overlook, but trust me, it’s essential. Misplaced commas or semicolons, and those endless ellipses can confuse your readers faster than a plot twist gone wrong.

Think of punctuation as the rhythm of your writing. Learning how to use them wisely makes a whole lot of difference in the quality of your work.

But don’t overthink it either. There’s no need to let it rain commas and periods. The key is to keep things clear, concise, and natural. And whenever you are stuck, there’s no shame in googling “comma rules” for the hundredth time or asking that friend who’s a grammar guru for help.

3. Get feedback (but not from everyone).

Feedback is essential. But here’s the catch: not all feedback is created equal. If you give your manuscript to too many people, you’ll get conflicting opinions, and that can leave you more confused than when you started.

Choose a few trusted readers; I mean people who understand your genre, voice, and goals. They’ll give you valuable insights without overwhelming you with too many “helpful” suggestions.

4. Join a Writing Community (Solitude Gets Old)

Writing can feel like a very solitary activity. You, a keyboard, and the occasional existential crisis *insert scream*. Finding a writing community, whether online or in person, where you can share your struggles, get encouragement, and maybe even swap some critique, can go a long way.

It won’t just keep you motivated, but it will also help you realize that every writer has those “moments.” Misery loves company, right?

Your community can also provide you with friends who can give you feedback.

If you’re confused about where to find a community, or you’re too introverted to go outside, you can easily find a writing community on X/Twitter, Youtube, and even Reddit.

5. Show, Don’t Tell (But Sometimes, You Can Tell)

We’ve all heard this a million times, and most of the time, it’s great advice.

When you decide to describe your character’s emotions and actions instead of just stating them, you instantly have enough material to immerse your readers into the world of your story, making them see through your main character’s eyes.

You could simply do this by saying, “Tears blurred her vision as she clutched the letter to her chest,” instead of “She was sad.”

By doing this, you’re taking us there with her and feeling the weight of that sadness.

But there is a caveat. Sometimes, telling works as well. Not every moment needs drama. There are times when a quick, straightforward bit of exposition is better for the story’s progression.

It’s all about balance. When it’s important to slow down and let your reader feel the moment, show them the details. When you need to move things along, don’t be afraid to just tell it like it is. The real trick is knowing when to do which, and that comes with practice (and probably reading a lot, too).

6. Make Use of Outlines

Outlines may sound like extra work when you’d rather start writing, but they make your writing a lot easier. It’s like having a map for your road trip. You can take detours, but at least you won’t end up in the middle of nowhere.

They can come in any shape or form depending on the kind of writer or creative you are. Are you a very detailed person, or can you easily visualize bits and pieces of your work at the moment?

If you’re not sure where to start, you can start by visualizing the key scenes of the story where you can see them clearly. That way, the story isn’t just an idea in your head. It’s actually real.

From there, you can figure out how to connect the dots and take the story from one point to another. Always remember that you create the outline so you can decide where it takes you. It can change whenever you think it should.

Click Here to get the template

7. Let your characters help you drive the story.

At some point, you’ll want to wrestle your story into submission. You’ll think, “I am the writer. I’ll decide what happens next.” And then your characters laugh at you and do something unexpected.

Your characters are people with completely fleshed-out personalities, and you should actually treat them as such. Good writing happens when you let your characters take the wheel. If they’re acting out of character just to follow your plot, the reader will notice.

Trust them. Sometimes the best plot twists come when you stop controlling everything and just see where they want to go.

8. Research Like You’re a Detective

The more you know, the more you can make your writing come alive. You might find something that inspires a plot twist or a character that you never saw coming.

Making your knowledge pool larger will also give you more ideas about the world you are trying to create, helping you understand your characters more. Imagine writing sci-fi without knowing a basic science fact. Even when your book is set in another galaxy, research will make your plot flow smoother and your world immersive.

9. Embrace the mess (nobody writes a perfect first draft).

Let me say this as clearly as I can: Your first draft is supposed to stink!

That’s its job. If you’re aiming for perfection on draft one, you’re setting yourself up for a massive headache and the unavoidable urge to chuck your keyboard into the nearest body of water.

Writing is rewriting. Draft one is where you figure out the story, and every draft after that is where you polish it into something resembling brilliance.

10. Develop your characters

To make your readers more invested in your story, give your characters real depth. Remember, they’re people with their flaws and unique backstories. Character development is important because it lets them grow and change as the plot unfolds.

Characters that evolve through their experiences help your story to be compelling and make people more invested in your writing.

Writing is tough, but it’s also one of the most rewarding creative endeavors out there. Whether you’re trying to find that perfect opening line, polish your dialogue, or just survive another round of revisions without weeping into your coffee, these tips will help.

The world needs your story, even if you need to rewrite it five times to get it just right.