
Stephanie B. answered 07/10/24
Professional Writer and Editor
The best way to become a great writer is to read - a lot. But be choosy with what you read. Read the kind of writing you want to write. If you want to become the next Hemingway, then read everything by Hemingway. Analyze the sentence structure, the pacing, and the overall story. Don't limit yourself to just one author, however. Reading a variety of classic authors is an excellent way to become well-versed in engaging writing.
Do note that writing styles change. Charles Dickens is considered one of the best writers of the English language, but he tended to write in long, wordy paragraphs, which is not a popular style today. At the same time, don't let popularity be the metric for your personal writing style. You may find a niche market in crafting Victorian books in the style of Dickens. Not everyone wants a streamlined narrative. And with AI dominating writing right now, cultivating your unique voice is more important than ever.