The Essential Habits for Improved Fiction Writing: Insights and Recommendations

I don't write or read much fiction. My professional life is centered around nonfiction, where I immerse myself in academic papers and technical tutorials. While this provides a strong foundation for understanding academic and lay audience writing, it's essential to balance this with creative endeavors. This article explores the importance of daily writing, the influence of books on the craft of writing, and the advice from renowned authors to improve fiction writing skills.

The Importance of Daily Writing

Recently, I decided to take a break from writing during the holidays, as I thought it would be beneficial. However, this break had the opposite effect. It took me 8 weeks to regain my writing momentum. The moral of the story is clear: writing every day or as often as you can is crucial. Consistency helps refine your skills and maintain a writing schedule.

Key Books and Authors for Improving Writing

There are several books that offer profound insights into the craft of writing:

Stephen King, “On Writing” - A candid, engaging, and inspiring memoir that shares King's personal journey as a writer and provides practical advice on the writing process. Anne Lamott, “Bird by Bird” - Lamott’s humorous and heartfelt exploration of the writing process offers a comforting voice for writers, especially those just starting out. Other recommended books include David Sedaris, the great biographers like Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Kennedy, and Ron Chernow, and Jenny Lawson and Jen Mann.

By exploring diverse writers and their styles, you can gain a broader perspective and find what resonates with your own voice. Even reading cookbooks can offer valuable insights into storytelling and structure.

Personal Experience in Writing

Over the past 40 years, I've worked across various fields, including editing books, newspapers, and financial journals, and even as a magazine and travel writer. My approach to writing has remained consistent:

Draft the Wretched Thing: I aim to complete a draft first, regardless of quality. This allows me to explore the story without getting bogged down in perfectionism. Edit and Revise: After the initial draft, I go through several rounds of editing and revising to ensure the copy is clear and engaging for the target audience. Focus on Readability: When editing, I focus on rewording and recasting the copy to make it as easy to read and understand as possible for my target audience.

This process helps refine the writing, but at the core, my success hinges on the readability and engagement of the text. Style is a subjective matter, and what matters most is that the writing is accessible and compelling to the readers.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The best style often emerges from the interplay between the writer and the subject matter, as well as the context and the audience. By reading widely and practicing consistently, you can develop your own unique voice and style in fiction writing. Stay committed to your craft, and keep writing every day to refine your skills and ensure your writing reaches its full potential.