As writers, we must continually seek to improve our writing skills. It is an ongoing process that can be accomplished in a number of ways to fit anyone’s budget.
Here are several options:
Participate in a critique group—it’s much easier to see someone else’s weak spots than your own.
Read writer blogs and the many free products they offer
Subscribe to writer magazines or read them at the library. Writer’s Digest and The Writer are two I recommend, but I’m sure there are others.
Read books on writing. Find them at the library. Be sure to ask about inter-library loan or for your library to purchase the book if they don’t have it. I recommend:
- Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham
- Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint by Nancy Kress
by James Scott Bell
- Plot and Structure
- The Art of War for Writers
- Conflict and Suspense
The Writer’s Little Helper by James V. Smith, Jr.
Take a writing course.
- Webinars offered by various organizations
- Writer’s Digest offers online courses http://www.writersdigest.com/
- Christian Writer’s Guild courses (a bit expensive, but well worth the price) http://www.christianwritersguild.com/
- Courses at the local community college or university
What have you done to improve your writing skills? Do you have a book, course, or professional organization you recommend?