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How to become a successful writer

Advice from the greatest writers of all time

By Neiryl LethPublished 3 years ago 3 min read

Becoming a successful writer is a dream that many people have, but it's not always an easy path to follow. To help aspiring writers achieve their goals, we've compiled advice from some of the greatest writers of all time.

Write every day: "The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better." - Stephen King

One of the best ways to improve your writing skills is to write every day. Whether it's a few sentences, a paragraph, or a whole chapter, make a habit of writing something every day. This will help you develop your voice and style, as well as build discipline and persistence.

Read widely: "Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it's good, you'll find out." - William Faulkner

Reading widely is essential for any aspiring writer. Not only does it expose you to different styles and voices, but it can also inspire you to try new things with your own writing.

Find your own voice: "The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do." - Thomas Jefferson

While it's important to read widely and learn from other writers, it's also important to find your own voice. Your voice is what sets you apart from other writers and makes your work unique.

Embrace failure: "I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." - Michael Jordan

Failure is an inevitable part of the writing process. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or to try new things. Embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow as a writer.

Write what you know: "Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time." - Howard Nemerov

Writing what you know is a great way to start. It allows you to draw from your own experiences and emotions, making your writing more authentic and relatable.

Edit ruthlessly: "The best time to revise is when you don't want to--when you'd rather be doing anything else. That way you can be sure you really need to be doing it." - Ann Patchett

Editing is an essential part of the writing process. Learn to be ruthless with your writing and cut out anything that doesn't serve the story. This will help you create a stronger, more polished final product.

Keep it simple: "If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don't understand it yourself." - Albert Einstein

Keeping your writing simple and straightforward is often the best approach. Don't try to impress your readers with fancy words or complicated sentence structures. Instead, focus on clarity and simplicity.

Be persistent: "The writer's job is to get up in the morning and write. To write and write and write until the words come out right." - Ernest Hemingway

Persistence is key to becoming a successful writer. Don't give up when the writing gets tough. Keep pushing through and eventually, you will find success.

Take risks: "If you don't go out on the limb, how are you going to get the good fruit?" - Paul Newman

Taking risks with your writing is important if you want to stand out from the crowd. Don't be afraid to try something new or to take your writing in a different direction

Becoming a writer is a challenging but rewarding journey. It requires dedication, passion, and perseverance to turn your ideas into compelling stories that resonate with readers. If you're interested in becoming a writer, you're in luck because there are many accomplished writers who can offer valuable advice to help you succeed. In this article, we'll explore some of the best advice from successful writers to guide you on your writing journey.

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About the Creator

Neiryl Leth

I'm Neiryl Leth, I've been interested in writing, text, articles, books, poetry for a long time and now I'm writing a novel. Since I am a person who loves to write, I am here to inform you and find solutions to your problems.

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