<Boost Your Writing: 5 Essential Tips for Improvement>
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You know that creative well has run dry when I'm resorting to a listicle format. It’s not exactly my proudest moment, akin to reminiscing about late-night pizza sessions in Syracuse while surrounded by aspiring journalists.
Two decades ago, that was the dream, but here I am again, pondering whether our college team will ever re-enter the AP Top 25. (Spoiler: likely not!) Yet, this experience is more enjoyable than it might seem, and that old hoodie still fits—though it’s a tad snug now.
However, what might seem like a dive into the depths of writing can actually be a treasure hunt. I’m here to unearth insights too valuable to remain hidden beneath greasy pizza boxes.
With the school season in full swing, let’s set aside distractions and revisit the essential lessons of Writing 101 in a quick eight-minute read.
1: Create and Maintain a Swipe File
A swipe file is essentially a collection of inspiring content you encounter that can serve as a reference later. While this concept is widely recognized in marketing, it’s equally applicable to writing.
You can get creative with platforms like Pinterest, but a simple notepad file works just as effectively. When I was crafting brand messaging for a major tech firm, I kept a collection of links and phrases that inspired me—yes, even an iconic Ikea ad made the cut.
The writers you admire (and even those you love to critique) often do this too. They highlight works that resonate with them, drawing inspiration from others' creativity.
You might think, “Isn’t that cheating?” Not at all. It’s about using your swipe file for inspiration, so you're not starting from scratch each time. Writing is challenging enough; let’s make it easier.
2: Put Down Your Phone
If you haven't yet realized how our smartphones are contributing to decreased focus, you might be shocked to learn that every distraction can set you back around 23 minutes. That’s a significant chunk of time lost to social media scrolling.
So, please, put your phone in another room or turn it off completely. If you can’t live without your playlist, switch it to Do Not Disturb mode. You can manage it; your friends will still reach you later.
On a positive note, renowned psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi argues that people find happiness when they achieve a state of flow—a deep concentration on the task at hand. Surely, you want to be happy while writing?
3: Set Yourself Up for Success
Think of a compelling essay as a well-structured story. While not every piece has to follow a rigid format, having a framework can be immensely beneficial, especially for those just starting out.
I’ve developed a consistent structure for my op-eds, inspired by the works of my favorite writer, Professor Scott Galloway:
- Story — the initial issue
- Backstory — how we arrived at this point
- Insight — the deeper meaning
- Challenges/Effects/Results — implications for the future
- Conclusion/Callback/Coda — a powerful ending that ties everything together
Feel free to borrow this structure for your own writing.
4: Take a Breath
Chances are your sentences and paragraphs could use some trimming. Shorter is often better, and you don’t need to write lengthy prose to convey your message effectively.
Incorporate more periods and fewer commas, and break up your text into shorter paragraphs. Not everyone can craft a captivating 150-word sentence, and that’s perfectly fine.
As you improve, experiment with different lengths and styles, but remember to establish your main point first.
I used to craft my essays as if I were aiming for publication in The Atlantic, but I’ve come to realize I can write authentically without that pressure. I can express my thoughts candidly, and that’s what matters.
5: Step Away Before Editing
Before diving into edits, take a break from your draft—ideally for a day. You won’t be able to assess your work properly if you’re still too close to it.
This doesn’t mean just switching tasks; actually step away from your laptop. Engage in something productive and give your mind a chance to recover.
If you struggle with discipline, you might even publish it first and edit the next day—though I wouldn’t recommend this outside of self-publishing.
During your break, consider activities like exercising, watching your favorite show, cooking a healthy meal, or simply enjoying a stroll in the park.
Taking breaks is essential. You deserve it. Writing should be challenging, but it shouldn’t be a burden.
I didn’t originally pursue writing; I aimed to become a Sportscenter anchor. However, life took me on a different path, leading to various jobs and experiences that fueled my passion for storytelling.
Since then, I’ve transformed a hobby into a career, from writing a personal sports blog to landing a corporate copywriting position.
Now, years later, I can say that I’m a writer, creative director, and entrepreneur.
You can succeed as a writer. No matter your background or when you start, your voice is unique and simply needs some refinement to shine.
That’s all the advice I have for now. Class is dismissed, and don’t worry—I already covered the pizza.
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