3 Steps to Become a Better Writer
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- Опубликовано: 2 июн 2024
- Our main focus on this channel is reading - but today, let's talk about writing. How can you improve your writing? Are there quick tips, life hacks, and secret formulae?
The truth is, you'll only be a better writer if you practice. I can (and do) give some advice, but writing is hard work. That's true for students, for working professionals, and for novelists. All of us have to commit to building good habits in order to make ourselves better writers.
A video on Plus/Minus/Equals (in the context of chess) from GM Jesse Kraai: • The Plus, Equal, and M...
Books on writing I recommend:
On Writing by Stephen King: amzn.to/3ElI8tO
Steering the Craft by Urusla K. LeGuin: amzn.to/3NSYihz
Aristotle's Rhetoric: amzn.to/3NV622m
Plain Style by Christopher Lasch: amzn.to/3A5O1ZG
Examples of great writing:
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: amzn.to/3DXvTCn
Essays by Wendell Berry: amzn.to/3TwJGp3
Emma by Jane Austen: amzn.to/3DYYneR
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky: amzn.to/3UNjkk0
St. Augustine's Confessions: amzn.to/3O38KTO
The Lord of the Rings: amzn.to/3UvwyCe
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke: amzn.to/3fWsiws
After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre: amzn.to/3X3jQMG
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston: amzn.to/3tDh4jP
These are affiliate links with Amazon. The channel earns a commission from each purchase - but it doesn't cost you anything.
Writing 0:00
Be a Good Reader 00:56
Write Drunk, Edit Sober 2:21
Plus/Minus/Equals 7:17
I think it is important to "copy". We learn by pretending to be our heroes, like children learn by imitating their parents. Not plagiarism, but more like reverse-engineering. It's like a watchmaker taking a watch apart in order to study how it was made.
agreed first copy then mimic then...steal.
This is pracitce is called copywork I think
Steal like an artist.
Doe lots of reading
They do this with art too. They call it a master copy.
Great advice. I wrote two novels in the span of a year, thought they were perfect and self-published. Didn't sell any. I spiraled down into a Smeagle phase, where everything I read or watched that was produced afterwards, felt like they were all stealing ideas from me. Glad I didn't sell any. I went back after a year of writing a third book, and nearly puked everywhere. Those two first books were horrible. But they did have the base content for a good story. I pulled them off the digital shelves and edited them two more times. Thought they were perfect again but decided to find a professional editor. Best move ever. Now I'm going over the first book with my editor, a chapter at a time, and wow, there's still so much chiseling and sanding to do. If it wasn't for the accidental process and realization that setting my book down for a spell or two, then picking it up again after some time would totally change the way I saw it, I would've blamed a broken system and stopped writing all together. Because of that learning process, it's less painful and easier to swallow my editors criticism and hopefully one day I'll be ready to publish.
The key is to not find a mentor in one person. If you’re good already, it would be hard to find someone who’s better than you in all aspects, but there are plenty of writers who are better than you in one aspect. Pull them all in because you all can help each other and grow together. Each of you can be your plus and minus.
like a bowl of seafood stew
I'm not good yet😢
@@MarekMango How about we help each other?.
I was listening to a podcast that said, “it’s important to live life by design rather than emotion. Basically, sticking to a routine is what allows us to be the healthiest version of ourselves (especially when you're fighting these demons ex. OCD for me).
I’ve had to overhaul how I approach work/habits by practising mediocre consistency. Now I try to put in consistent 50-60% effort into my habits - to make sure I do it I began recording it and posting it on YT. Like you said, I study/write for 2 hours a day and just write uninhibited.
Historically I have a habit of going too hard, not being able to sustain the Herculean effort, giving up and hating myself. So now I’m trying to give a small, consistent mediocre effort everyday. And its crazy how it adds up.
Can i ask what the podcast is? As someone who has ocd too, thanks for sharing. 😊
@@KuehneZoneify Here it is! It’s an OCD Podcast but I think the main points can be extrapolated for any one’s benefit. ruclips.net/video/CGyW1Rp1Y2g/видео.html&ab_channel=TheOCDStories
As someone who also has ocd, I wish you luck.
Very well said Risika. “Mediocre Consistency” .. Love it!😊
As you get older (I'm 34), you realise consistency and discipline are everything. A 30-min block every day is not the same as 3 hours on a Saturday to compensate for the entire week. We think these tiny habits are too small and ridiculous to warrant the respect of our time. Yet we don't do them, and not only that, they would have been are tremendously beneficial had we just done so from the beginning.
I participate in a once monthly zoom writing workshop led by a different published author each month--mostly poets. It's small, but it really makes a difference to have access to other writers when a draft is done. As writers, we spend so much time in solitude, immersed in a screen or journal, hallucinating worlds. And other writers are the only ones who understand. Keep the writing content coming!
One of the most exciting books I have come across where a writer examines and records his writing process is John Steinbeck's 'Journey of a Novel' about his creative journey and struggles while writing 'East of Eden'. A wonderfully generous and intimate sharing.
I would advise writer's that reading and thinking about works, fiction or non-fiction, that are so abominable really helps. For me, it inspires me to think of how to avoid pitfalls and mistakes and it triggers in me my own imagination. My own writing then often feels original as my mind tries to discover good ideas in a work that simply aren't there. It is simultaneously depressing while inspiring haha
YES, was going to say that reading more mediocre stuff can really help you figure out what NOT to do, or just what you don't like. And then you can go back to your own work more critically to check if you've done anything similar and slyly correct it.
Also...it's a wee bit of a confidence boost to think, "well if this got published, then there's hope for me" lol
I try to stick it through with books I dislike to learn as much as I can on what not to do in my own writing (even if I'm cringing the whole time in physical pain). There's definitely been a couple times where I've gone "ah shit, we're cutting that", so it's been useful!
Good tips! I've been a creative writing teacher for years, and I give all this advice to my students. Particularly that bit about letting your writing suck on the first draft.
Also, over the years I've read several hundred books on the writing craft. Le Guin's Steering the Craft is excellent. My number 1 recommendation for fiction and nonfiction, though, is Stein on Writing by Sol Stein. For style and communication of message, I suggest William Zinsser's On Writing Well.
@@_jared Ann Lamott's Bird by Bird and Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones are good beginners' texts. I have my students read excerpts from them early in year 1.
This is such fantastic advice. I often get stuck editing what I’ve just written immediately. I’m practicing building that space before I return.
i agreed on the second point , sometimes when we write , we think thats need to be perfect one and no mistakes , we forget that we can edit it later .
I've found being part of the publishing house of my university to be really helpful in improving as a writer. You always have seniors with more reading and writing experience than you to give you feedback. Also, deadlines ensure you get into the habit of getting your fingers on those keys and articulating your thoughts.
Would love to see more content on writing from you. Cheers!
This video came on the right time for me. I have the problem of always thinking that what I'm writing is already the final version, and that makes me freeze. Yes, I have to write and then revise as many times as necessary until I am satisfied with the final result. Thank you for the vídeo. It was a great help. 🙏
Great video, as always! 👏I absolutely agree with the advice that "A better writer is a better reader." Reading a substantial amount of good books will really influence someone to think better and pen those thoughts. If I may contribute unsolicited advice, one of the secrets to achieving excellence (not perfection) in writing is to ask good questions. These doubts and curiosities are the driving force of any writer (and thinker) to grab their pen and move the cursor of the blank page.
How does one mine until we get to the good questions? Should we allow ourselves, like in writing in general, to ask the stupid questions first?
@@billyalarie929 That's a great question, Billy. There could be two ways to approach this. Firstly, there are instances where creative (writer, thinker, etc.) people need to wrestle with stupid questions (ideas, etc.) first in order for them to eat the fruit of the good ones. Not all begin as an expert. And the state of being stupid (lost, naive, peculiar, etc.) can constitute the idea of greatness, better than not starting at all.
And the second one would be people who ask good questions is the fruit of the great contents they consume. Having said this, the next question should be, "what constitute good questions?"
It's hard
I listened to a podcast with the author of ‘90 Day Novel,’ (and I apologize for not remembering his name or the podcast), and he mentioned that many writers have a dozen started and unfinished novels in their home because we have a tendency to edit as we go. His methodology is to just write until you have a completed draft; no editing and rewriting as you go. Blah it out in a stream of consciousness fashion. AFTER you have reached the end of your piece, you can go back and read through it and make revisions. But! The first draft is done. You better know the direction your piece is going to take, and you have something to work with and refine. This tip has taken the perfectionist pressure off, and I’ve been able to write to completion several pieces since implementing this method! Also- I recently found your channel! I can’t wait to watch more videos on classical literature!! Blessings. 😊
When you started by discussing “becoming a better writer” it made me think you have to have something to write about that is valuable to your audience. I like the reading point
Thank you for another great bit of insight. I really enjoy your videos. Keep them coming!
Really love the writing/reading content on your channel. In another video I heard you talk about having a family, and I'm a lifelong writer/reader who's struggling with how to maintain those parts of my identity while both enjoying and meeting my obligations to my family. Perhaps you could do a video about that process for you?
Another amazing video! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers from Brazil!
Really informative! Thank you for your clarity. Yes, id love more videos on writing. Yours in Gratitude
I really enjoyed the final chapter of this video, where you talked about plus/minus/equals. I love this dynamic and I personally think it is very helpful for all parties involved. In high school, I had a Creative Writing class that used this method in some fashion. We would have group constructive feedback sessions several times a week, which consisted of my fellow seniors (who were more experienced at writing like me, so my equals), the minus (underclassmen) that I could give advice to, and my teacher, or my plus. I enjoyed all four years of that class very much :)
I really enjoyed this type of video about writing! I am a 17 year old who writes poetry and essays surely the tips mentioned will work wonder because one of the tips--- about read to write good--- had already been a huge help in my writing.
These were the most genuine and thoughtful advices I’ve ever heard, thank you so much ❤
Thanks for the tips I’m gonna try to use these to help me improve my music/writing over all. I’m really trying to be poetic/ clear and easy to understand in my writing and finding the balance is quite hard, but I’ll get there. 🙌💯
Really loved this article, one of the best I have watched. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
The ➕️ ➖️ equal thing is definitely the most useful advice I've heard on a while thank you, I think its one of those things you kinda sort of know but when worded you suddenly see the light that was always gleaming through
Thank you so much for this video! I really liked writing in Junior High and I would like to explore that again. I would definitely enjoy more videos on this topic. Especially videos on how to get started again after decades of hiatus and whirring essays / stories just for fun an personal enlightenment
Love your RUclips channel. Great content all over.
Amazing. Great advice! I’m here for aaaall writing content!
Love this advice! Especially the + - = bit. Thank you so much!
Thanks so much. This is a very enriching video. I got to learn all these tips and I will slowly apply them in my writing. As an upcoming writer, one of the things that has soulfully helped me was practice...practice and practice. Also finding someone better than you is a very big add on indeed.
These tips are amazing for any creative pursuit.
Great video! I struggle a lot with my writing, be it essays or tweets surely some of the tips will be helpful
Excellent Tips!!! "Be a Good Reader is my favorite."
You're amazing!!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🤗
Very inspiring thank you!!! ✊ came looking for motivation to write, left with motivation to edit. 🤔
I include William Zinsser as writing that teaches and enjoyable as a reader. Jane Yolen's book, the joy of writing also a winner. My library is predominately classics and writing craft selections. Thankyou .😊
Incrível, foi perfeitamente o que eu precisava, nada de truques mirabolantes de como escrever melhor e sim dicas simples e trabalho duro é a forma quase única de melhorar em algo, valeu mesmo cara❤
A few techniques transformed my writing of fiction. 1) I decided to write under a pseudonym. That way, anyone that I know who might end up reading it, won't know its by me and that means I write in my true voice without any self-censorship whatsoever. 2) If I have been published (short story in a magazine for example), I never read reviews or critiques of my work. I will take feedback from a publisher I have submitted to and I do have a writer friend who will look at an unfinished work, but I always feel that if I look at reviews, it will impact my one true voice (even if subconsciously). If I have been published then I am happy that my work is good enough for others to read and that is good enough for me. 3) I spend a good deal of time structuring my story and building characters before I begin to write. This means I do not interrupt my momentum by entering plot cul-de-sacs once I have started writing and its easier for me to step into the shoes of my characters when I am writing from their point of view. 4) I adopt a minimalist approach to my prose. I avoid adding any extra words when they are not needed (multiple adjectives, adverbs that do not add to the prose etc). I am also sparing with punctuation and tend to not wrap verbiage around my prose. 5) I don't like too many descriptives in my prose. I like to use inventive ways to describe things in the world I am creating by the dialogue, feelings and actions of my characters.
Well said
Thank you. Great advice similar to what I've learned over 30 years of writing.
Wow. Thanks! It was really helpful
Great advice! Enjoyed the video and would be game for more content like this. I’d also love to hear you maybe talk more about philosophy and connections you see between your studies and with Christianity and culture!
Great video, thanks Jared. 🙂❤️
The write drunk and edit sober approach resonates with me so much and the newfound clarity of making a conscious effort to act in that manner will certainly help me produce something rather than nothing at all so thank you!
Perhaps a video on planning an idea might go nicely with this? Just a suggestion. I myself find that getting an idea is relatively easy but taking that idea and making it into a fully structured narrative where there are clear themes and a clear order to everything is the hardest part. I have so many ideas but not one is ready to be written because of plot holes or underdeveloped characters etcetera. A ‘how to plan a novel’ or ‘how to flesh out a novel idea’ type video could be incredibly useful. As I say it’s just a suggestion. Thank you for everything you do, there isn’t enough of RUclipsrs like yourself and I don’t have anyone in my personal life so videos like these are what keep me inspired and keep me from feeling so alone :)
Fully agree with #2 and #3.
The editing is the best part.
Your voice is fantastic and I love listening to you and watching your videos. Thank you
Hahaha I said the same thing last week!
yes, new here, loved it. can we get more videos about writing please and thanks!!
Great!. More contents in writing please.
I'm new to your channel, I've listened to your videos and I did subscribe. Great suggestions.
Good advice, thanks!
Great advice
Great content!
Excellent video, excellent channel 👍 Greetings from Ireland 😃
Being a publisher/editor is a good way as well... I can testify.
excellent! thank you
As a literature student i relate to the " not all ur good ideas must fit into ur writing" being overly ambitious n creative n not puttin a limit on ur thoughts n planning stages will result in mental pain, going over word limits, and not properly explaining ideas
Nice tips tho, thanks for the video. Have a good day🙂!
I was interested in the editing bit. I do a lot of editing almost as i go at work. Time and tide wait for no one etc. But I wonder if I had more time if if be clearer at setting things out. Interesting will ponder. Thanks
Great tips! I’m not going to college but love the idea of studying and learning. I want to be a better speaker, so I figure I therefore should become a better writer first to truly understand wordplay. Do any of you writers out there have advice for meeting other writers who I can learn from? I’ll soon be moving to a college town to be near friends, so maybe there’s college resources available to a non-student? Just looking for some ideas.
Just started my writing journey. I wanna become a great writer- to share my thoughts, feelings, stories and experiences with clarity. I’ve been reading for weeks and don’t understand anything whenever I read. What should I do to retain what I read?
Hi Jared, such a great video for becoming a better writing. Is there an editing book or something close that would help you in editing that you recommend? Thanks.
I love the + - = idea!!!
10:30 Well said. Free writing is the way to go!
Wow there are bots replying to bots now! 🤯
Lmao, It's hilarious 🤣
Well said...We don't need to drink when we write but definitely need to learn to let go ..as when we do..not censoring every sensor we sense may ruffle a 'peacock feathers'..Good vid
I’m still learning how to write well myself, but I have picked up a few things along the way:
If you learn how to accurately copy a master’s work in extremely exacting detail, it can serve as a suitable plus substitute. Learning how to copy one writer’s style accurately teaches you how to read/copy other writings more effectively.
Never underestimate anyone’s abilities. Being new and inexperienced doesn’t necessarily make someone any less clever and insightful. Every single “equal” level collaborator I have had was actually a “plus” in disguise. Every “minus” level relationship I’ve ever had has turned into a “plus” level relationship in time.
Everyone has a distinct point of view, and if you are open enough to see it, it can change your entire approach fundamentally.
I would like to suggest that if needed the plus or minus can be a writer. A writer you look up to (a role model) and a writer you look at and think 'I could probably do better than him) both can be motivating.
The book u mentioned. Steering the craft the author has intended it for someone who has experience and not a beginner.
Can you recommend a book about writing for a beginner.
Thank you and god bless
I like your advice.
I jus hope I can find a group of people who can guide and correct me. I've tried doing it by myself but I still feel like I'm lacking something.
A book that helped me is "How Fiction Works" by James Wood. Really helped me. Thank you. Oh, and this channel is really helping me too.
I agree. That book was far more informative and useful than the average book of that sort.
Good advice.
I found this video to be very helpful. Another relevant quote from Hemingway is this- "You must murder all your darlings". This sentiment is sometimes expressed as- "a good writer must have a good shit detector", which means that you must also apply a ruthless red pen to the work you do which you think is wonderful but which is in fact dross.
Elsewhere, read George Orwell's essay- "Politics and the English Language", which is simply outstanding. cheers!
One thing that helps me at least to get started on writing a scene is to *ask the right questions:* what is at stake for the characters? what color is the scene? why does it all matter?
Someone once said, “if your scene feels flat, change the weather.”
I have a question about having or not having too many good ideas in your story. Part of me understands that anything that doesn't move the plot forward probably shouldn't be there. And it sometimes means that even if we have great emotional scenes or moments - if they don't serve the purpose, cut them.
But then there is another thing. Readers/watchers/players - whatever medium you write for - we don't remember the plot. We remember the moments. Strong emotional moments, regardless of whether they serve the story. And I've seen stories with plot holes and/or stories that don't seem tight, but the audiences love them for those moments.
So what is more important really? Or I guess, the answer is that both are important. But how would you find the right balance? Did you have such dilemmas as a writer in the post? What did you do and what was your train of thought when you made the choice - whether to cut a great emotional moment out of the story or to keep it?
Great video! Regarding the chess master - can you please share the link to the video or name? Thanks
I have heard that one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it.
How about if you can read and/or speak another language and translate a work from that language into your own language? Could that work?
What about rewriting, but not publishing, someone else's work as a learning exercise?
I'm not a writer. Just wondering.
Is it possible to get to refined for the storyline or intended audience?
Good advices
The Art of Writing by Lu Chi is a fantastic book. All writers should have a copy.
Ty broski 🫶
Always good content 👍
Your camera depth of field needs adjustment though. Too many videos have your mic and glasses tack sharp and everything else too soft.
If you can get focus beyond your frames to your eyes, this will make a world of difference.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm working on the video quality - I think it is fixed in videos I'm releasing this week.
@@_jared looking forward to the new content
I’ve heard copywork recommended, and it reminds me greatly of how musicians transcribe from live recordings. Thoughts?
How I get to write better, even when I am not native English? What should I do ? Because I read every day Philosophy and history . In the last time I start write, but the expression on sentence doesn’t sound very good. And always I search for words on dictionary or internet to connect the synonyms or appropriate word! What is your advise ?
The plus minus equals idea is so great and a much more simple explanation of a bunch of ideas I've cobbled together over the years regarding the value of teaching, having a teacher, and finding value in others.
On books: Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird is the hands down best book on writing, IMHO. And it's hysterical. Stephen King's is an excellent read, but it is more of a memoir.
What is a third book you could recommend?
What is the title of your dissertation?
The story or the message what I wrote is always connected with Philosophy or history … sometimes I wrote something connected with story as Parsifal or Tristan and Isolde
Do audio books count?
Does anyone have like a super-long-impossible-to-ever-finish list of books of high quality prose such as the ones in the description? It's kinda helpful to simply always have an option ready.
Love you
Ive gotten into writing about 2 months ago and i can make up interesting plots and stuff but i have this friend who started writing like a year ago and their super good and i want to talk to them about writing because i wanted to get advice on how to write better but everytime i send them my new writing they say "interesting" or just "ate" no advice or saying if its actually good whenever they send me their writing i always says its good or talk about the plot and characters but they never give me any advice and its made me not wanting to write anymore because im scared if one day my writing wont even get an "interesting" from them.
Please forgive my obvious pedantry, but choosing one or more preferred keyboards, and then learning and practicing how to operate it or them at your highest error-free speed is not only more productive, but it also allows you to concentrate on the content of your writing, and not have to think about the mechanics of the typewriting process. Full-sized keyboards are preferable to hand-held devices, using two hands is preferable to only two thumbs, and, at least for a while, typing tutors can be your friends. USB ports can allow more keyboard choice and portability.
The last point made me think if you are starting, how will you find a minus? , because people are either your equal and are starting as well, or they are plus.
I have been doing the “write drunk, edit sober” for a long time, no wonder my writing has gotten better😂😅
Nice video! This is what I imagine Harry Potter looks like all grown up. 😁
Chess Dojo student!!! What cohort are you in?
I read fantasy all the time and its what I really want to write, but when I put together a scene it sounds clanky and the right words won't come.
Could you speak more on Good Books could help someone write better?