“If writing had secrets, then writers’ sons would all be writers.” – Lu Xun
Are there really “secrets” to writing, as all those books and articles continually promise? Or is developing English writing skills just a function of experience?
While there are particular skills and techniques that can help you turn out better copy, they’re not secret. In fact, they’re freely available from here and other sites that frequently discuss language training.
To become a better English writer, there are three things you need to do:
1. Read widely
2. Write often
3. Improve on one area at a time
That’s it and none of those things are secret. If you become a wide reader, you can see further and deeper into topics. You gain familiarity with a greater amount of vocabulary, along with specific writing styles and ways of expression. Most of the time, you end inheriting many of the traits of the materials you peruse, developing both the quality of your thoughts and your artistic temperament.
When you write often, you train your mind to work through the craft, the same way runners train their bodies by putting themselves through the pace. Just as you developing singing talent partaking in the activity, you train your writing instincts by engaging in it.
If you write enough times, it’s not unusual to improve naturally. However, making the conscious decision to see gains in a particular area usually serves to speed up the process. As such, be open to criticism, learn from them and always strive to improve a facet of your overall ability. Similarly, don’t shy away from using tools, such as language software, to help you on your path.