Writers Tip #50: No More Casual Writing

Write well

When you read your story, does it sound off, maybe you can't quite put your finger on it, but you know you've done something wrong? Sometimes–maybe even lots of times–there are simple fixes. These writer's tips will come at you once a week, giving you plenty of time to go through your story and make the adjustments.

Today's tip: Always put your best pen forward when writing.

That includes any writing, be it an email, a memo, a journal entry or your mss. Use every writing opportunity to practice your craft. Address every occasion like a sunrise, extravagant and full of promise. Write, edit,

hone your words, let them show your voice. Never settle for a poorly-worded, mistake-laden message no matter how insignificant you consider the occasion or the recipient. Express yourself as well as you can at that particular moment. 

Why? Good writing is a habit.  Coming up with the appropriate words and perfect phrasing is a learned skill. Learn it. Train yourself until excellence is a knee-jerk reaction when you put your fingers on the keyboard or pen to paper. Until your expectation of yourself is that when you write, it's well done.

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