8 Simple Ways to Make Your Writing Better

If you're looking for a few simple ways to make your writing better, we've got you covered! Mastering skills like characterization and structure are of course important for developing the quality of your work, but there are also a few simple technical tips you can implement almost immediately for instantly better prose.

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
0:41 - Cut filters
1:32 - Use concrete language
2:47 - Use stronger verbs
3:54 - Cut weasel words
5:10 - Slide out of the past perfect
6:14 - Cut passive voice
7:20 - Use specific imagery
8:25 - Prioritize clarity

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[blabbitybla]

I have a bad habit of overthinking my writing lol, so I appreciate the overview of the core things that matter - making sure the reader actually gets what you're writing

[ImaginaryMdA]

'that' 'just' and 'only' are in like 90% of my sentences before editing. lol

[ginatober]

I think you've talked about removing filter words before. I went through my manuscript and swept it for filter words. Doing this helped to shorten the story, tighten it up, cut out repetitiveness and over-explaining. Good advice.

[TheCasualTheorist]

Awesome video and great advice! I was thinking about concrete language and I find that applying non-concrete language as modifiers for concrete adjectives achieves a better effect. Rather than the "flowers were the color of joy, " "the flowers were a joyful magenta color."

[jimschuler]

1) Filter words also put up a barrier between the author and the narrator. If you're writing "she saw, " then you are not in the character's head, experiencing what she's seeing. You will miss more opportunities for characterization and development.
4) Pedantry: A weasel is something non-committal, called so because they allow you to weasel out of specific conclusions; "mostly" and "someone" qualify. "Just, " "only, " and "that, " however, aren't weasel words. 99% of the time they are filler words, called so because they fill up space and do nothing else.

[rachelthompson]

That was good. More writers need too use this advice.

[sethrakes]

Improve > make better

“8 Simple Ways to Improve Your Writing”

[diegooland]

This is very good, as usual. I'm in a writing group and I find some people (myself included) fill their writing with words to make it seem like they've written something wonderful. "While I contemplated the anguish of anther day of existence, I looked out of the dirty window framed by an embroidered white lace curtain yellowed with age, to see the sun filter through the early morning mist and gently settle on the dew covered milkweed. The noise of the coffee grinder sluggishly milling through a cup's worth of beans gave a noisy counter-point to the majestic silence of the unfolding beauty outside of my grimy abode." Or "I woke up and had a cup of coffee." Great detail in the first example that wow's the writing group but so what? You woke up and had some coffee.

[sysavaneusman]

Honestly Shaelin if it's ever another person speaking to us, then I won't watch. You are awesome, pretty too❤

[VirtueAly]

POWERFUL advice, because the tendencies are so common. I'm going to commit these to memory. The Clarity Read is a sparkling gem. Thank you, thank you.

[jasonhurley]

2:28
It allows inclusion of the reader to decide what color joy is for themselves.

[Joe-zkps]

This is one of the most practical writing videos I've ever seen. Thank you!!

[phoebechartowich]

Dang. I think I just realized that you are a legit professional. And I was expecting ‘show, don’t tell’. These are all helpful, thanks!

[stevecooke]

I've been watching these videos, for no other reason than I love her voice and girly bossiness! Tips good too.

[milestrombley]

Good editing advices. It is important to understand what you are trying to tell to your readers.

[Gcherry]

Thanks for this video! It's what I didn't know I needed.

[natnickelton]

Great writing tips! Love the new haircut too. Looks great!

[benformation]

Thank you for this! I didn't realise I used "had" so much. This video really opened my eyes on some of my grammatical mistakes I didn't even were there.

[Juan_ChoS]

The examples were on point, they helped me a lot

[PhoenixCrown]

Tip on perfect past tense super helpful. "I had previously thought this was very difficult to do. I worked and worked on it but hated when my writing got convoluted with "had." I found myself using "She'd" and "He'd" just so the contraction shortened the "had." Now I know better =)