Writing is an art – a creative art. Craft and creativity are two inseparable ingredients of writing. Writing is not just the mere craft of constructing grammatically perfect sentences with proper spelling and punctuation, but much more than that. The craft in writing can be effortlessly learned or fine-tuned substantially. But the creativity in writing can be refined to a minimal extent. It is more related to one’s inbuilt abilities that do not lend itself for substantial betterment. Craft is the conscious part, creativity is the intuitive part. Both draw energy from each other.
Writing is a step by step process from idea to research to writing to rewriting. When you start writing an article or essay you should set an objective for it. The objective can be for informing, persuading, explaining or entertaining the readers. The objective will define the contours or whereabouts of your writing.
Reader is an elusive person. Any writing is meant for someone else to read. It is not exclusively for self-satisfaction alone. But self-satisfaction is an underlying passion for any author to engage in writing. If you are writing primarily to please yourself you will definitely entertain your readers. Sloppy workmanship in writing may cause you to lose readers. Working hard to master the tools of writing is the best way to gain elusive readers. Simplify, prune and strive for order in your writing. Say what you want to say in clear language. Be yourself while writing. Put your passions on paper regardless of whether the reader loves them or not. Write with humanity and warmth.
Every piece of writing is an embodiment of ideas arranged logically or sequentially and meant for communication between the author and the readers. Getting the right idea to write on is the first step in writing a piece. Choose an idea that will be of interest to the readers whom you intend to address. Then think of as many things as possible about the idea in different perspectives or viewpoints. Relax your mind to get every shades of the idea in focus. Focus your thinking on the subject broadly and deeply. Let your mind explore all aspects of the topic. Look at the topic from different angles.
When you think about so many aspects, it is quite natural that confusion may creep into your thinking, making you incapable to think clearly. This occurs not because of your inability but because you think about it in many ways simultaneously. Let all those thoughts come in without any sequencing. Organizing those thoughts in logical sequence is the right solution of this problem. Write down the ideas in a sequential or well-knit manner as a list or within circles as a mind map and then organize them according to the interrelationship and the purpose and object of the essay.
When you set your pen to paper for writing, there will be writer’s stumbling block. Overcoming this block is the hardest part in writing. The best way to overcome this block is to build up your desire or passion to write. When your desire to write is so intense, you can overcome the inertia on starting to write. When you overcome the block and start writing, don’t think about the grammatical correctness of your sentence or even sequence of your writing. Allow your ides to flow out into sentences, though not correct, proper or sequential. You can refine it later.
When you finish a sketchy draft with an overview of all ideas that you want to put in the article, read your writing from the start to the end. Reading loudly is better. Then do some macro editing to fill the gaps in ideas rather than correcting the grammar or structure of the sentences.
The first draft is probably the worst draft and you need to rewrite the draft several times to make it better. Rewriting is the essence of writing better. Rewrite the draft as many times as possible. Remember some editing tips while rewriting. Linking up one sentence with the other using connecting words (like because, hence, as, therefore etc) can make a piece of writing logically and sequentially better. The connecting words work as a logical sequencing mechanism. Connectors add or emphasis an idea (besides, in addition etc.), or contrast two ideas (though, however etc.) or show cause effect (because, therefore etc) in any piece of writing. But over use of connectors can make a paragraph poor in style, as well.
Every paragraph should be coherent with sequential sentences that altogether make a holistic piece. The ideas should flow one another logically and move smoothly to yet another. Poor coherence will defy the readers understanding of the concepts. Sentences and paragraphs should be designed cohesively in a way ideas should flow smoothly without having any problem for the readers in following them logically. In addition to logical cohesion in a piece, use rhetorical strategies to engage the readers. Correct grammar and punctuation are, as well, important.
After redrafting the piece of writing for a few times, please ask someone else to read your passage and commend on it. Based on the suggestion, redraft it for a few more times. In case, you do not have someone else in your acquaintance to read, you may read your draft critically deposing as a reader. Then incorporate your critical ideas as inputs in redrafting.
When you are satisfied with your draft in ideas and sequencing, start the process of micro editing for grammar, punctuation and further stylizing. Then keep your near final draft closed for a few days break without looking at it and then re-read it to see the writing with a fresh mind. Then reedit the article with microscopic details and take a final version for publication. The final draft would be far better and different from the earlier ones. Effective writing depends on rhythm and flow of ideas/sentences, organization of material into paragraphs and arrangement of paragraph into a coherent piece.
In short, the best way to build your writing skill is nothing but practice. Anyone can learn to write better. Some writers begin with more talent than others. Most writers, both beginners and professionals, will benefit from paying a little attention to their craft. Hard work will propel any writer to a new level of quality. Solid craft leads to good writing but a dose of creativity can make it great. Writing is half gift and half hard work. The absence of the first can be compensated by the surplus of the second. No doubt, tenacious practice will make you a better writer.