Many struggling writers are convinced there is a secret to the success
of more confident writers. There is in fact a secret but it is one that
you too can embrace to improve your writing. The simple truth is that
refining your own personal writing process to your unique strengths and
weaknesses can not only make writing easier it can also improve writing
as well. Every writer's writing process includes the same basic five
elements: inventing, organizing, drafting, revising, and editing;
however, in order for the writing process to improve writing that
process must be tailored to fit the individual writer's strengths and
weaknesses.
Invention is one area that many beginning and struggling writers
simply do not spend enough time on. Many beginning writers believe any
time not spent writing is a waste of time. However, experienced writers
know that the more time spent thinking about and preparing for the
writing task then the less time that will need to be spent on actually
writing. Invention might simply include thinking but writers can also
use various methods to brainstorm from free writing to clustering.
Experiment with many types of brainstorming and invention to determine
which methods work best for you.
Organization is also a key part of writing preparation that many
novice writers do not give proper attention. Depending on the length
and complexity of the writing task this can take a lot of time or very
little time, but do not overlook this important element.
Writing is of course an obvious part of the writing process, but
many struggling writers simply overlook the fact that multiple drafts
can make a big different in the quality of the work produced. The more
time a writer allows between drafts then the more effective the
drafting process can be.
Many poor writers believe that proofreading is the same as revising
and editing, however experienced writers understand that revision is
the reworking of content so that all ideas are fully expressed,
transitions are clear between topics, and organization is effective.
Experienced writers know that proofreading is more closely associated
with editing but even then editing is more than simply proofreading for
the simple surface errors of spelling and punctuation. Editing is
looking at the structure of sentences and paragraphs as well as looking
at grammar and word choice. Revision and editing should include at
least two more draft but may require more depending on the writer's
weaknesses.
It is quite simple. Creating an individual writing process can
improve writing and make writing easier as well. Scratch the surface of
any successful writer and you will find an individual writing process.