Every Writer has a different path, to publication, every writer has a slightly different method to writing and every writer has a different voice.
Right now for reasons best known to me I am a bumble through to success kinda writer, and if there is anything you already know about me now - it is that I might try new things and I am never satisfied with my present writing skills. I know my own voice, I don't try to write like Nora Roberts or India Grey but I know there is always room for improvement.
So tell me good people of Bloggyland what do you do to improve your writing skills? Read Novels? Read writing books? attend online classes? join a writer's group? write everyday?
I got a copy of The Society Wife from India Grey
it was signed
To Joanna
with love from India
xoxo
call me a sap but I liked it, because she is one of those few authors who genuinely interacts with me online, so I believed her.
Somedays I feel like Solomon, I'm not as wise as he was, but I've moved around so many times, it's impossible to have nothing to say. I am just finally catching up to the season of life I'm in - which is a homeschooling, slightly crunchy, crafting,work from home, writing and sports mum. You have now been introduced to my multiple personalities, hopefully you'll identify with one of them and stick around.
The best thing I ever did for my writing journey was join an online writing group -- mine happened to be http://www.wvu.org
ReplyDeleteIt gave me a crit group for the first time, put me in touch with other writers on the same journey, and allowed me to take classes on any topic I wanted to learn. Those are things you just can't do on your own.
I also find that working as a reviewer has helped as well -- it's rather like critiquing other's work in a crit group. Sometimes seeing what is right (or wrong) with other stories can help us improve our own.
But, hands down, having GOOD CPs is the best thing an author can do.
All of the above except attend online classes. I studied enough at Uni! :o)
ReplyDeleteFinding good crit partners and beta readers has hands down been the best thing for my writing!
ReplyDeleteI like your point that every writer, novel has a different voice. That can take a lot of thought and refinement.
ReplyDeleteMarianne said it all. For me, reading other authors (even in genres I don't normally read) expands my perception of what makes good writing.
ReplyDeleteLots of things are helping me on this journey from "I think I want to write" to "I am actually kind of writing".
ReplyDelete1)Blogging has been great in many ways. Writing on my blog helps me practice saying what I mean as succinctly as I am able (which isn't very succinct--progress, not perfection).
2) I am interacting with other writers here in the blogosphere and on Twitter. This keeps me moving...if I want to be a writer and hang out with other writers, I'd better do some writing offline, so I do.
3) NaNoWriMo was awesome. It showed me I could produce alot of stuff. Good stuff? Jury hasn't even convened on that one.
4) Crit partner--we are both newbies, so this is good because we don't worry too much about how bad we might sound to each other. It's not like sending work to Nora Roberts for a critique, right?
5) I've taken a couple of online workshops--one was helpful, one was not, but at least I know why it didn't help me!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteMore question than confession here! ;)
MA in Creative Writing is fun to have but no guarantee to a publishing contract, same goes for courses and workshops: just enjoy is the best approach and research likes and dislikes of editors and lit agents. Follow pubbed writers if you really love their work, but befriending is not a given route to an editor even if you're the top student during attendance at a bestselling author's workshop etc. Publishing like any other business has its ruthless side, and top guns tend to take no prisoners nor do they readily help others along the way without gain to themselves that's why they're top gun authors. Same goes for top gun editors, top gun lit agents. It's a tough industry. All an author can do is present their best work and hope for the best, and support their own kind: authors!
Writer voice is unique, some eds will like it others not. Yes, one can mimic another and it can be seen in many books where editor voice (rigorous editing influence) has become author voice: the author having adopted a mentor's style and voice! Sorry if this sounds unbelievable, it's not, and psychologists' can pick up on this trait! :)
re India. She's sweet and genuine in desire to please and interact with readers of her books.
Wow that is really cool! For me the best things to improve my craft are writing, reading and my crit group!
ReplyDeleteI read tons, across the genres. I attend classes at RWA nationals, and I'm a craft book and article junkie :). I also write almost daily and analyze romantic movies while I watch them (the conflict, set up etc...). In the end, there's no one thing that works. I think it's a matter of information/inspiration from a multitude of sources congealing in your brain and resulting in something uniquely you.
ReplyDeleteI've done several of the above but I think the one that has improved my writing the most is reading good books.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost magical how things like flow and character arcs are absorbed when you read works by authors who are really good.
I'm with Lisa. Reading books has helped my writing more than anything I know of except actually WRITING. This is my greatest struggle, is just doing it. Right now I'm avoiding a revision. I'm hoping after the holidays I'll have a new energy for doing all the things I'm now avoiding.
ReplyDeleteJoanna, believe it or not for me it's watching TV shows like House, Bones, 30 Rock, Frasier, that kind of stuff. I pay close attention to the script. What? These don't count?
ReplyDeleteReading (a lot) and writing (a lot). The first to see how it's done when it works for me and the second to figure out how to do it myself.
ReplyDeleteJoining a writer's group was so important on my writing path but I find that you need to use all of the above ways to keep perfecting the craft.
ReplyDeleteCD
I've read Writing books for a while, but it only got me so far. I found that the instinctive approach was my worst ennemy, so I plan. I make a synopsis and try to develop my characters before I start.
ReplyDeleteI read a lot also. I try to keep an critical eye.
Since starting to write, I have read novels in a more noticing way, really thinking about language and character development.
ReplyDeleteI tried a writers' group but didn't enjoy it. I now think that the best thing to do is simply write, then write some more...
I used to read a lot of writing books, but anymore they no longer help me as all the info in them I’ve read in other books. Now I just read other authors, and all genres. Now-a-days, to improve my writing, I edit the sh*t out of it. The first draft is just the story. In the first edits, I add details. The second edit, I delete details where there are too many. In the third edit, I search for typos, and hopefully by that point, I could read my story without cringing as by then I’ve read it so many times I’m absolutely sick of it.
ReplyDeleteThe answer to your questions Joanna, is all of the above. Voice comes over time as you learn your style and hone your craft.
ReplyDeleteI ran out of time yesterday. Fair dinkum, according to L'Aussie who awarded it, means, true blue. It is the highest honor an Aussie can give someone. True Blue means faithful, compassionate, always there for you.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
Awe! Congrats on your signed novel! That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteI read books, articles, advice, and write to improve. Kind of a bumbler too, I guess.
I like that India interacts with you online. There must be some sort of resonance, there. That's nice.
ReplyDeleteTo improve my writing skills ...
ReplyDeleteI write. I find that the more I write, the more I improve. I can see the difference (even within a single book).
I also read a lot. Seeing how other authors and writers do things helps.
How exciting to get an autographed books from an author you interact with. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of the others. But reading for me has been the biggest teacher and the best inspiration during my writing journey.
I read and google lots. I don't want to do a course because I feel it isn't appropriate for me but it might be good for you? I can get messed up if people start on about the 'rules' too much ;p
ReplyDeleteThe Arrival, Book one of the BirthRight Trilogy, on Amazon 1.1.2011
www.damselinadirtydress.com
I read books, and read blogs where other writers have said their thoughts on the process. It's a big help. :)
ReplyDeleteI read a lot. It sounds cliched but reading books with bad writing and good writing and mediocre writing has helped me a lot.
ReplyDeleteI read and I actually go to a writing group in the area. We meet up in a town near by once a month-sometimes more to critique each others works. Some of us have been published and have achieved moderate to high levels of success others are still relatively new to writing. Some have journalism degrees and are editors, others teach English, and others are just doing it for a hobby and have never had anything to do with English in their careers. Some are into poetry, others into paranormal romance. We have a broad spectrum of genres and everyone brings something different and valuable to the group.
ReplyDeleteI like to read (voraciously) across genres. Reading & writing. Lots.
ReplyDeleteI do a variety of different things that all influence my writing. I'm a member of a local writer's club, I have a critique group that meets frequently, I'm an avid reader (if you haven't noticed by my blog), I enter contests, and I'm always querying agents and getting my work out there and read. Everyone needs a little variety, so that's what I strive for.
ReplyDeleteI read a lot. I've been an avid reader all through my life. Now I check out writing articles from published authors websites and all articles on writing. I read craft books then dissect my writing. I visit blogs and read through the posts and comments, there are usually something good to learn! And I've downloaded RWA America's Handouts...and read it for advice and tips!
ReplyDeleteAwww what a lovely signed copy from India!! I think all these are great ways to improve writing skills - I know for me I need all the help I can get so it's all these racked up to x1 million!!!!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
That's so nice about your signed book.
ReplyDeleteI think I do all of the above to make my work better. In fact, even if we're published, the more we write, the better we get. It's a lifelong process.
Good luck with your writing journey!
Reading a lot, and writing a lot. And I've been involved in a writing group as of late too.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Joining online crit groups and reading critiques (whether they are for me or others), getting feedback and suggestions for my own work, and reading lots. I started out using lots of adult voice in my writing. Reading lots in my genre helped me to see what teen voice should sound like. (thanks for commenting on my query!)christy
ReplyDeleteI read constantly, every chance I get. I keep a few books on the go at once. Different authors have different strengths and I like to immerse myself in various ways of expression. But to be a good writer you have to write, write, write. I use flash fiction to hone my skills.
ReplyDeleteThanks for great post as usual Joanna. Thx for passing the Fair Dnkum award on.
Check you later!
The best thing I did, by far, was become a part of the online writing community. Having a group of people to share the experience keeps me working longer and harder and picks me up when I need it. The other thing I'm doing more these days is reading in my area--not just the books I'm sure I'll love, but everything. I'm uncovering some gems and learning a lot.
ReplyDeleteReading books, reading articles online, being friends with my dictionary, glossing through magazines, watching movies, reading the beautiful prose in the Bible, etc.
ReplyDeleteI read a lot in my genre. And then I write a lot. And then I let my friends shred what I write.
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful I'd feel exactly the same :O)
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