How to Be a Writer: 10 Tips From Rebecca Solnit

“3 tips for getting started as a writer:

1. Publish on a schedule. Consistency develops ability.

2. Share your writing publicly. Writing is a magnet. It attracts like-minded people.

3. Write about what fascinates you. You don't need to be an expert. Curiosity leads to expertise.”

As for how to write well, here's the short version: Write a bad version 1 as fast as you can; rewrite it over and over; cut out everything unnecessary; write in a conversational tone; develop a nose for bad writing, so you can see and fix it in yours; imitate writers you like; if you can't get started, tell someone what you plan to write about, the... See more

“A few tips on how to be a better writer:

– write about what fascinates you

– make one point per sentence

– use stories to make your point

– cut extra words like “really” and “very”

– read the whole thing out loud

– post publicly (you’ll try harder when you know others will read it)

And finally, be more thoughtful about what you consume. The quality of id... See more