What are the best ways to keep your writing skills sharp after a workshop?
You've just completed a writing workshop and you feel inspired, motivated, and confident in your skills. But how do you maintain that momentum and keep improving your craft? Writing workshops are great for learning new techniques, getting feedback, and networking with other writers, but they are not enough to make you a better writer. You need to practice, apply, and challenge yourself regularly to hone your skills and develop your voice. Here are some of the best ways to keep your writing skills sharp after a workshop.
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Anchal B ChaudharyTop Writing Voice | Top Web Content Writing Voice | Content Writer | Ghostwriter | Book Writer | Creative Writer
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Santhosh JLinkedIn ghostwriter helping SAAS & Tech business leaders become trusted thought leaders | Learnings from 15+ years in…
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Mayur Nathani 🍀Guaranteed 50 appointments for Coaching & Tech Industry within 90 days | Personal Brand Strategist | Lead Generation |…
One of the most important habits you can develop as a writer is to write consistently and frequently. Whether you write every day, every week, or every month, you need to have a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Writing regularly will help you reinforce what you learned in the workshop, experiment with different styles and genres, and overcome writer's block. You can also use a writing journal, a blog, or a social media platform to document your progress and share your work with others.
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Tabitha Kumwembe
Economist || Author 🇲🇼 || Read my novel CITRUS on Amazon KDP || Bronze 🥉 Medalist for best SciFi fantasy Ebook IPPY awards || Finalist For Book Excellence Awards 2022 || Finalist For Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2021
Having a writing routine is what sets the tone for excellence. The gateway to excellence is established through consistency and hard work. While passion is what ignites a writer to begin their journey, this alone is not enough. In order to be considered a great writer, a writing routine must be followed whether it is a daily practice, a weekly commitment, or a monthly dedication. It is not enough to be passionate about this craft; one must be willing to invest the necessary time to achieve writing excellence.
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Mayur Jadhav
BI Developer. Write. Creative Educator | BI & Data Analytics | Executive MBA Candidate
The way you have routine for everything in your life, writing should deserve one too! Blocking a calendar for writing could be the best starting starting point.
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Santhosh J
LinkedIn ghostwriter helping SAAS & Tech business leaders become trusted thought leaders | Learnings from 15+ years in journalism | Ex-Chief of Bureau, The New Indian Express
Passion is power, but it's quite useless if there is no steering wheel. Setting a writing routine is the steering wheel for any writer. It makes us: - Remember we have to write to call ourselves writers. - Write even when passion has cooled down. - Find passion even when it's tough.
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nikos nikolaou
Strategic HR Expert | Personality Enthusiast | Communications Strategist | Athlete & Adventurer Advocating for Resilience and a Winning Mindset
Journal.Everyday. Real pen.Real paper. Come up with intelligent prompts. Who am i? Why do i write? Who cares? Am i doing this because its trendy or cool ? Am i getting any joy from this?Why? Do i like writing about other people/companies? Do i like writing about things i think about? Do i like writing fiction? How can i make money writing?How do i know? Do i like collaborative writing?How can i do more of that?
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Mayur Nathani 🍀
Guaranteed 50 appointments for Coaching & Tech Industry within 90 days | Personal Brand Strategist | Lead Generation | Cold Emailing | Top Voice
You can use my technique for your writing routine. 2 years back, I wanted to improve my writing style. So, I started writing daily on LinkedIn. Within 1 year, my writing style and content structure improved because I got better clients. You can try this technique. Not required only on LinkedIn, you can even try Quora or Medium.
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Alexandru Sarbanescu
Copywriting & Content Wizard | Wordsmithing for Your Success | Let's Collaborate
Most of us know that to be a successful writer or successful in any other area, we must have a disciplined routine. It's simple: the more you put in, the more you will get out. However, hard work is only sometimes the answer if you seek the most effective way to evolve. When hard work is paired with smart work, the results will be exponential. My personal writing routing is consistent and spontaneous at the same time. Have opinions and try to solve any problem, write about it. If you have a thought, a question, or just a simple feeling, write about it, dissect it, try to describe it, and help yourself understand why you feel that way about it, and eventually, you will improve and teach yourself and others by doing so.
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Shwetha Ashokumar
Lead Growth Marketing Strategist @ BrowserStack | Ex Zoho, Chargebee
A musician cannot create music just by looking at looking at the instrument. It's the same for a writer. If you keep looking at the white screen without writing anything, you will never be able to accomplish your goals. It's easier said than done, though. So to start with, start writing - start with something that you can mindlessly write about - like your day, your childhood, etc. And by doing this, you will break the habit of just staring at the screen. And once the content is out there, shaping it becomes 1% easier.
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Zulfikar Rahmatullah
Content Writer, Social Media Planner, Facebook Advertiser, Video Editor
Attending a writing workshop can significantly improve your skills, but maintaining and further developing those skills requires consistent practice and effort. Here are some ways to keep your writing skills sharp after a workshop: Consistent Practice: The saying "practice makes perfect" is particularly true for writing. Try to write every day, even if it's just a few paragraphs or journal entries. Read Regularly: Reading widely can expose you to different styles, voices, and genres of writing, which can inspire and influence your own work. Implement Workshop Lessons: Apply the techniques and strategies you learned during the workshop in your own writing. Peer Review/Feedback: Exchange work with peers for review and constructive criticism.
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Tastelynn Galdamez
Data Journalist
Grammar, writing, and editing will improve your skillset. - Read Widely: Explore different genres and styles to expand your vocabulary and understanding of writing. - Editing: Review and edit your own work critically to improve clarity and coherence. - Learn Grammar and Style: Continuously improve your understanding of grammar and writing style. - Read Writing Guides: Explore books and articles on writing techniques. - Diversify Topics: Write about various subjects to enhance versatility. - Writing Courses: Consider enrolling in writing courses or workshops for structured learning. - Stay Updated: Stay informed about current trends and changes in the writing industry. All the best!
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Rashika Jain
Freelance Content Writer | Social Media Specialist | Digital Marketer
The famous proverb which says, "Practice makes a man perfect.", is indeed meant for such instances. Writing comes out to be softer and success than before with consistent practise. This has been the greatest thing that I have learnt so far being a writer that if you're are consistent with your thoughts and ideas, it will show up in your writings too. Implying that the more you are engaged in learning, the more you should be engaged in bringing those learnings into application.
Another way to improve your writing skills is to read as much as you can, especially in the genres and topics that interest you. Reading will expose you to different voices, perspectives, and techniques that you can learn from and emulate. However, reading passively is not enough. You need to read critically and analytically, paying attention to how the authors craft their sentences, paragraphs, and stories. You can also use reading as a source of inspiration, feedback, and challenge. You can try to rewrite a passage, critique a piece, or respond to a prompt based on what you read.
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Santhosh J
LinkedIn ghostwriter helping SAAS & Tech business leaders become trusted thought leaders | Learnings from 15+ years in journalism | Ex-Chief of Bureau, The New Indian Express
A child watches for hundreds of hours others speaking before it gets inspired to say its first syllable. Writing is no different. Reading good writing wires us to produce good writing. Our brain stores all the words, structures, and styles we read and they surface when we sit down to write. In fact, everything we write is a combination of what we have read. Even if we don't realise it.
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Mayur Nathani 🍀
Guaranteed 50 appointments for Coaching & Tech Industry within 90 days | Personal Brand Strategist | Lead Generation | Cold Emailing | Top Voice
You can try this 1 hack while reading - When you read something relevant to your interest or niche, stop reading for a few seconds and think about where you can relate to this. Doing this step helps you store information in your brain, remember better, and improve your analytical skills.
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CA Harsha Chhatani
Chartered Accountant| B.Com| Accounting and Taxation Professional
Reading motivates writing. Reading widely means exposing yourself to different genres, styles and topics, enables you to learn different writing techniques, language usage, narrative structures, and expand your vocabulary. So you should try to read different types of books, magazines, or articles to grasp various writing styles and creative methods. Merely reading a written work isn't sufficient; you must pay attention and critically analyze the writing style, character development, and story-building techniques used by other authors. While reading if you came across any paragraph or phrase you admire, highlighting it and then rephrasing it in your own words can be beneficial. Reading can also inspire new ideas and refine your own voice.
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Tabitha Kumwembe
Economist || Author 🇲🇼 || Read my novel CITRUS on Amazon KDP || Bronze 🥉 Medalist for best SciFi fantasy Ebook IPPY awards || Finalist For Book Excellence Awards 2022 || Finalist For Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2021
It is important to read widely. I say this because initially did not know I had a passion for writing. It was only when I started reading the works of other authors that immediately prompted me to become one. Reading an amazing piece that was masterfully crafted together inspired me and ignited a passion to write. I wanted to be able to create a beautiful story just as the talented authors I had read about had done in their narratives. Just like them, I wanted to be able to create a beautiful reality made out of fiction. Indeed, reading other people's work is a starting point to be able to write.
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Rahul Bhattacharya
HoD Masters of Design (Integrated), Asst: Dir Dept of Communication Design UID | Co-Founder dotai
To elevate our growth as writers, we can utilize reading as more than just a source of inspiration. It becomes a valuable tool for exploration, as we challenge ourselves to rewrite passages, critique pieces, and respond to prompts influenced by what we read. By actively engaging with literature, we not only expand our creativity but also develop a deeper understanding of our own craft. Remember, reading critically and analytically enables us to forge our path as writers, drawing from the rich repertoire of literary traditions while also crafting our unique voices
Writing can be a solitary and sometimes frustrating activity, but you don't have to do it alone. Joining a writing community can provide you with support, encouragement, and accountability. You can find writing communities online or offline, depending on your preferences and availability. Writing communities can offer you opportunities to share your work, get constructive criticism, exchange ideas, and collaborate with other writers. You can also learn from the experiences, insights, and advice of other writers who have different backgrounds, levels, and goals.
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Vanessa Knipe
Scientist and Writer looking for a new challenge
After a publishing failure in 2016, I nearly gave up writing. For four years, I kept my stories to myself, but in 2020 I was invited to join a writers' online critique group by a friend, from the OU Creative Writing courses. Since then, my work is critiqued by the members of the group, and I critique their work. Together, we keep each other writing the best work we can produce.
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Judith Dickson
Publisher For Real Estate Agent Magazine for Connecticut at Target Market Media Publications Inc
I published a book based on the first time homebuyer, I took several workshops and a certificate program with UCLA in English. Writing is not something you ever give up on, it takes hours of work, but worth it
Feedback is essential for improving your writing skills, but it can be hard to find and accept. After a workshop, you may feel reluctant to expose your work to criticism, or you may not know where to get reliable and honest feedback. However, feedback is not something to be afraid of or avoid. It is a valuable tool that can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, improve your clarity and coherence, and polish your style and voice. You can seek feedback from peers, mentors, editors, or readers, but you need to be open-minded, respectful, and selective. You also need to revise your work based on the feedback, not just accept or reject it.
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Tabitha Kumwembe
Economist || Author 🇲🇼 || Read my novel CITRUS on Amazon KDP || Bronze 🥉 Medalist for best SciFi fantasy Ebook IPPY awards || Finalist For Book Excellence Awards 2022 || Finalist For Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2021
The editing phase is crucial. This is where I ensure that my spelling, punctuation, and grammar are correct. I read my work out loud to correct typos. However, no matter what, there always seems to be a small mistake that makes me inwardly cringe. This is why it is important to get your work to an editor and then finally a proofreader, or simply just a third party to read/revise and improve your work.
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Rahul Bhattacharya
HoD Masters of Design (Integrated), Asst: Dir Dept of Communication Design UID | Co-Founder dotai
Acknowledging the vulnerability that comes with receiving feedback is crucial on the writer's journey. While it can be daunting, sharing your work with others and seeking feedback opens doors to growth and improvement. Embrace the opportunity to receive valuable insights that shed light on your strengths and areas for development. When seeking feedback, it's essential to establish trust and choose your sources wisely. Surround yourself with people who understand and appreciate your writing goals and style. Peers, mentors, editors, or engaged readers can provide unique perspectives and constructive criticism. However, remember that accepting feedback does not mean conforming to every suggestion.
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CA Harsha Chhatani
Chartered Accountant| B.Com| Accounting and Taxation Professional
After learning from workshops, it's necessary to incorporate those lessons into your writing. However, it's equally important to display your written work on diverse platforms, be it online or offline. This allows you to receive feedback from others. While seeking feedback you have to be open minded as some may praise your work while others may criticize it. Paying attention to all feedbacks and making necessary changes accordingly is key. By actively seeking feedback on your writing, you can learn valuable insights, identify areas for improvement and enhances your skills as a writer.
One of the best ways to keep your writing skills sharp is to challenge yourself and try new things. After a workshop, you may feel comfortable and confident in your skills, but you may also fall into a rut or a plateau. To avoid this, you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone and experiment with new genres, formats, styles, and topics. You can also set yourself specific goals and deadlines, enter contests and competitions, or join online or offline events and activities that involve writing. Trying new challenges and projects will help you expand your horizons, discover new possibilities, and grow as a writer.
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Anchal B Chaudhary
Top Writing Voice | Top Web Content Writing Voice | Content Writer | Ghostwriter | Book Writer | Creative Writer
Before trying your hand on a new genre, style or topic etc. make sure you read a lot in the same. Once you have a general understanding the writing will come much more easily and better.
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Peter McMurray
Bible teacher/devotion writer
Ask people for blindspots in your current writing to help discover a style or format you want to work on. Maybe you write great content but people find it very dry and you need to challenge yourself to add more humour. Or maybe you need to challenge yourself to writing shorter pieces that convey the same core message.
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Jodi Jill
National Puzzle Day Founder- Jan 29 | Entrepreneur | Puzzle Maker: Jigsaw, Crossword, Games | Poet | Author
I've found that writing skills improve when you practice the techniques you've learned. I spend 45 minutes a day practicing my skills and the new skills are always first. It helps me find a comfort zone for my work. Here are 4 places I use my new skills to practice: 1. Write reviews. Buy something? I say something. 2. Contribute to Neighborhood apps. Hello! I am a moderator and writer contributing daily to my community. 3. Make comments on the bottom (or side) of articles. Yeah, add your happy voice like here on LinkedIn 4. Contests. I won a contest where I need to write a website in 2 weeks. Challenge accepted! Keep in mind, the daily 45 minutes aren't part of my job. My work creating crosswords and blogs starts after daily practice.
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Rahul Bhattacharya
HoD Masters of Design (Integrated), Asst: Dir Dept of Communication Design UID | Co-Founder dotai
While workshops provide valuable skills, challenging yourself beyond the familiar is essential to avoid stagnation. Embrace the opportunity to venture into uncharted territory by exploring new genres, formats, styles, and topics. This expansion can be invigorating, pushing the boundaries of your creativity and unlocking hidden potential. Setting specific goals and deadlines further propels your journey. Commit to personal projects, enter writing contests, or engage in online and offline writing communities to stay motivated and accountable. These intentional challenges foster resilience and resilience, transforming your writing practice into a vibrant ecosystem of exploration and possibility.
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Mayur Nathani 🍀
Guaranteed 50 appointments for Coaching & Tech Industry within 90 days | Personal Brand Strategist | Lead Generation | Cold Emailing | Top Voice
You can join a storytelling course and start writing your fictional stories. If you are too much in anime or manga. You should try this hack. It helps you to understand more about your imagination power and how you can make mysterious and curious content that will trigger your audience's emotions.
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Namrata (.
Literary Consultant || Ghostwriter ||Book Reviewer || Podcaster ||Publishing Expert || Editor || Book Marketer|| Strategist || Data Analyst || Writer
Consider writing prompts or writing exercises to keep experimenting and also tune your mind to think beyond the obvious. Writing prompts and exercises are freely available on the internet. You can seek genre-wise. There are ample newsletters or websites that share a writing prompt a day if you subscribe. That ensures your mind is always thinking about a story.
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S. Lewis-Campbell
📖"The truth isn't always beauty, but the hunger for it is.” ― Nadine Gordimer. *LinkedIn Top Writing Voice*. Founder, Beauty & Beast Publishing. 🏆Award-winning company 🤝 Helping Aspiring Authors become Bestsellers.
As a book publisher, it is important to hear the voices from those atypically from the industry who have some of the most authentic and impassioned stories to share and impart in the world. However, may not have the necessary resources to get their voices heard. At @beautyandthebeastpublishing we recognise this greatly and encourage writers from all levels and backgrounds to showcase their articles on our free #writersblock platform. We also publish all articles at the end of the year in a book for charity to assist with raising the profiles, and introducing new and unpublished writers in to the writing industry.
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Tabitha Kumwembe
Economist || Author 🇲🇼 || Read my novel CITRUS on Amazon KDP || Bronze 🥉 Medalist for best SciFi fantasy Ebook IPPY awards || Finalist For Book Excellence Awards 2022 || Finalist For Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2021
Writing, in itself, is complex a process. I have never been able to write a perfect piece on the first try. This is why I have established a structured writing process for myself, which involves jotting down all my ideas and then creating an initial skeleton/framework. Subsequently, I allow myself the time to breathe life into my body of work. I revisit my work after several months with fresh eyes and a new perspective.
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CA Harsha Chhatani
Chartered Accountant| B.Com| Accounting and Taxation Professional
I personally enjoy reading books across various genres such as fiction, non fiction, selp help books, professional articles too. Reading has played a significant role in improving my vocabulary, grammar and expanding my knowledge and perspective on various things. When I read, I feel a connection with the writer, and for me, both reading and writing serve as methods of healing and reducing stress. I often recommend others to make reading a habit in their lives, even if it's just a little bit. The act of reading is incredibly valuable.
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