How to be a good writer

Many people want to improve their writing skills. They often feel lost on how to achieve this goal. It seems like there is a secret trick they are missing. However, there is a way to become a better writer. I will share what I have learned over the years. But, there's no easy way to get there. I like to read books about the art of writing. "Steering the Craft" by Ursula K. Le Guin is a good guide. "On Writing" by Stephen King mixes personal stories with tips. These books show there is no single formula. Everyone's methods will be different. To discuss improving writing, we must be general. Yet, some tips can still be helpful.

First, good writers are dedicated readers. Read a lot to expose yourself to various writing styles. Even if you only want to write fiction, read good non-fiction. Explore genre fiction and literary works. Immerse yourself in the world of words. Make sure to read quality writing. Your taste will be shaped by what you read. Consume a "high-quality literary diet" to improve. If you want to write genre fiction, read the best in that genre. This applies to any writing field. If you study philosophy, read great philosophy. Find good books, essays, and articles to start. I will share examples of great writing with links below.

Second, there's a saying often linked to Ernest Hemingway: "Write drunk, edit sober." Hemingway didn't say this. I don't advise drinking to write. But, a similar idea is useful. Write without holding back, then edit later with a clear mind. When writing, don't worry about the audience. Just write. Many people struggle with a blank page. The first page feels hard because the writing might be bad at first. I feel this way too when starting. Whether it's philosophy or blog posts, I improve by writing. I'm still trying to write a novel. I write best when I force myself to keep going. Set a writing schedule. When writing my dissertation, I wrote two hours daily. The goal was two hours of writing, not perfect writing. You can only write freely if you edit later.

Editing needs a clear mind. Take time between writing and editing. You cannot edit right after writing. It's too close in your mind. You will feel drained and lose objectivity. Come back after a day, a week, or a month. Editing is not just fixing commas. It's finding the good parts in your writing. Look for greatness hidden in the rough draft. Find what is good and make it better. As a grader of student papers, I saw how much editing helps. Editing multiple times greatly improves writing. It refines the writing and other elements. For philosophy, editing clarifies arguments and strengthens sources. For a novel, it develops characters and themes. Editing is not just fixing sentences, it's improving the whole work.

Also, cut ruthlessly. We think every idea must be included. However, too many good ideas can hurt the work. Not every cool character moment needs to be in a novel. Being able to say, "This is good, but doesn't fit," is important. We must train ourselves to do this. Keep practicing your writing. Refining the craft takes time and effort. When cutting, don't delete. Save it in another document. Remove it from the current piece.

Finally, I have a principle from a chess grandmaster. It applies to writing: plus, minus, equals. To improve, you need a "plus"—someone above you. They guide and correct you. You also need a "minus"—someone you can teach. In grad school, you are advised by professors. You also teach undergrads and help them improve. Finally, you need "equals"—your peers. You can share feedback in a writing group. Some may lack a plus, minus, or equals. It's hard to rely only on yourself. Find someone to share work with and get feedback. Even tutoring middle schoolers can help. Finding a mentor is hardest outside of school.

These tips are not easy. I'm not giving you a secret formula. I'm giving you a framework for structuring your work. Develop good habits. You might reach a writing peak. Some may write well enough for their needs. If you want to keep improving, these tips should help. Let me know your thoughts on this video. This is our first time discussing writing. Tell me what helps you become a better writer. Share your advice for fellow writers. That is all for now. Take care.