Copy editor, proofreader, content writer, and translator, Ibukun Ayansola, poses the question: “What does it mean to be a consistent writer?”
Here are his thoughts:
“It means writing regularly and maintaining a steady level of quality and style in your work. It’s one thing to be a fine writer and another thing to be consistent at it. Consistency can help you improve your writing skills, grow your productivity, and realize your writing goals.
Below are some tips on how to be a consistent writer:
✍️ Find a time of day that works best for you and stick to it. Set a daily or weekly writing schedule and follow it as much as possible. When you write at the same time every day, it can help you form a habit & get into a creative flow.
✍️ Set practical and clear-cut writing goals. Document what you seek to achieve with your writing, such as finishing a chapter, a blog post, or a poem. Break down your goals into smaller tasks and allot deadlines to them. This way, you can remain focused and motivated.
✍️ Write concerning topics you find intriguing and stimulating. Focus on subjects that you are enthusiastic about and that you want to share with others. This will make writing a fun thing to do rather than a task you must accomplish.
✍️ Be audience-oriented when you write. It’s not about you. Consider who you are writing for and what they expect from your writing. Use a tone, style, and language that suits your audience and your purpose. Your writing becomes more consistent and clearer when you do this.
✍️ Write first, edit later. Trying to be a perfectionist will kill your writing flow. First, get out whatever ideas you have in your head without worrying about grammar, spelling, or punctuation. You can always revise and polish your writing later.
✍️ Seek feedback and apply it. Feedback can help you become a consistent and effective writer. Ask more established writers for constructive criticism. Rather than make you feel inadequate, constructive criticism will help you spot your areas of strengths and weaknesses as a writer.
✍️ Read a lot and write a lot. Readers make fine consistent writers. You need fresh ideas to have meaningful things to write about regularly. Meanwhile, sometimes, your well of ideas can run dry. Being an avid reader replenishes your ‘idea bank’. Reading extensively helps you draw inspiration from the writings of others. Reading can expose you to different styles, genres, and techniques of writing. Writing can help you practice and apply what you learn from reading.
Also, you will improve your writing skills, broaden your vocabulary and find your unique voice.
What’s more? It will aid your consistency as a writer.
I hope these tips help you become a more consistent writer.
Don’t stop writing!”
Source: Ibukun Ayansola