How can I improve my writing?

Question

Like any skill, writing requires consistent practice and repetition of strong habits that are often learned through repetition. But it's so much more than this. The best way to improve is to follow the guiding hand of an expert, like me, who continues to write and publish as an adult and knows how to think like a student. Through over 15 years of experience teaching everything from essay writing to college entrance essays to creative writing, I can teach simple and tried-and-true methods for improving your writing.

Answer 1

Strong creative writing starts with two habits that matter more than any trick or formula: reading widely and writing regularly. I encourage students to read prolifically in the genre they want to write and to study the techniques of authors they admire — how they handle voice, pacing, scene, and emotional turns. You can learn a tremendous amount just by paying close attention to how effective stories are built on the page. Practice then turns those observations into skill.

I also help writers find their own voice and lean into it rather than trying to sound like a generic “writer.” Voice is what makes work feel alive. We look at tools like narrative distance, interiority, and setting as active elements — not decoration — and use them to deepen character and tension. I stress experimentation in drafting and precision in revision, so students gain both creative freedom and technical control.



I’m careful about one-size-fits-all approaches to fiction and creative work. Different writers and projects need different strategies. In sessions, we focus on craft principles that are flexible and usable — scene construction, specificity, pacing, and line-level sharpening — then adapt them to the student’s goals and style. The goal is stronger stories and more confident writers, not formula writing.

Answer 2

Read. Read for pleasure, by picking books that instantly grab you. Louis Armstrong once said: “There ain’t but two kinds of music. Good and bad.” The same holds true for writing. There are many genres: adventure, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, to name a few. There are books that resist classification because they take from the traditions of many. There are thousands of ways to tell a story. The reader either likes the way a story is written, or they don’t. Of course, good and bad are subjective. So find the stories you enjoy, the books you can’t put down.

Don’t assume that “fine writing” can be found only in the “classics,” although few are disappointed by such titans as Jane Austen! Of late, I’ve been drawn to mystery, crime, and noir novels. The intricate plots and thrilling prose of Vera Caspary, James M. Cain, Ira Levin, and Sarah Waters—to name just a few—have greatly affected my own work. Just because something is accessible and commercial doesn’t mean it can’t also be among the finest writing out there. So start by reading what you most enjoy. Compare authors in a particular genre and ask yourself how they differ, if you like one more than another, and if so, why? Or do you like them equally, but for different, even opposing reasons?

Reading expands and re-wires your brain. Your head becomes stuffed with plots, with “favorite sentences,” with characters, settings, and twists. From these, your own artistic sensibility will emerge; writers are collectors of style, tone, rhythm, cadence, voice. You can love the winding sentences in the gothic novels of Wilkie Collins and equally love the laconic prose of Patricia Highsmith. Both will nurture your budding aesthetic.

Just try it. Read a lot of books that you find really fun. Then put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, and see what comes out. Then, if you want guidance on what you’ve written, get in touch with me!

You may find yourself loving the short, lean sentences of Patricia Highsmith, and adding that style of writing to your repertoire. If you next read the gothic thrillers of Wilkie Collins, you may soon gravitate toward his winding, cinematic prose. The more you read, the more music will be in your ear, the more styles and rhythm at your disposal.

Answer 3

The best way to improve your writing is by reading. Read everything you can get your hands on. If you like writing fiction, focus on fiction, but don't limit yourself to that. Expand out in all directions. Make word lists and hang them on your wall. In one paragraph--not a final draft or something you worry about being right or wrong with--freely practice trying to emulate the style of a writer you like. You'll have to pay close attention to the moves they make in their writing. Do they write a lot of action scenes? Can you see the action scenes? How? Can you see the characters? How? Same goes for hearing.

Even more important, start writing freely--with no rules or goal. Start with a line you borrow from another author or from anywhere text exists. Let you mind wander wherever it wants to go, like daydreaming. If this is tough, do it for 5 minutes a day for the first few days, then in increasing increments of time. You'll be tapping into your imagination and discovering thoughts that you don't even realize you have.

Answer 4

On the new Digital SAT, writing isn’t about long essays — it’s about answering short, precise questions tied to reading passages. To prepare, I coach students to:

1. Read with purpose — notice how authors use evidence, tone, and word choice. These skills are exactly what DSAT questions target.
2. Use structure — when practicing writing, I recommend PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link). This same clear structure helps students analyze passages quickly.
3. Practice precision — the DSAT rewards accuracy, not fluff. Strong writing habits carry over into clearer, faster reasoning under timed conditions.

In short, better writing skills translate directly into better DSAT Reading & Writing performance. Clear thinking on paper builds the same skills needed to master the new digital format.

Answer 5

As it is with many subjects, understanding the components of writing is important in order to write thought-provoking pieces. Start by practicing everyday even off it's just a sentence or two, no matter how "bad" it is you're learning something and improving your skills, which is something to be proud of. One thing that always helped me improve my writing back in elementary and middle school, was by writing about things I was passionate about. Whether its art, sport, or a really specific movie you've watched, having a genuine interest towards a topic motivates you to write no matter how much or how little.

Answer 6

As a college lecturer of Creative Writing and a former high school English teacher, I think the best way to improve your writing is to read. By incorporating reading into your daily routine, you'll develop an ear for grammar and yourself to new vocabulary and writing styles.

Answer 7

Honestly, one of the best ways to improve your writing is just by practicing consistently and actually caring about what you’re saying. Don’t be afraid to rewrite and revise either—that’s where the magic really happens. A method that really helped me is PEELS (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link, Significance). It keeps your paragraphs structured and makes your argument flow better.

Also, having a strong thesis with 3 clear points is a game changer. It sets you up perfectly for your body paragraphs and helps you stay focused. When I’m writing, I always start my intro with some strong background info to give context, and then I gradually work my way to my main argument. It makes your writing feel more grounded and intentional.

And lastly, don’t overthink sounding “smart”—clarity and connection always matter more than big word