My current WIP is probably the hardest book I have ever written. I’ve been struggling with the act of writing for months now. At first, I couldn’t settle on a project, then I eventually did pick a project but procrastinated so hard I wrote two short stories and started another project in between.

And while I feel like my current WIP is the right one to be writing right now, it’s still an uphill battle for me.

In the midst of this whole writing crisis, I found myself bombarded with writing advice from all sides. TikTok, Substack, Instagram, everywhere I looked someone was telling me I was doing it wrong or doing it right.

I even gave myself some writing advice in the form of a post about character motivation.

Then I decided to take an extended break from social media. I deleted Instagram, put time limits on TikTok and Substack, and pantsed about half a novel in a few months.

Throughout this whole experience of completely pantsing a first draft, I realised that there are things that make me a better writer that don’t necessarily involve writing. While this is not a revolutionary concept, I feel like it gets lost in the algorithm.

So, here are a few ways I’m trying to become a better writer.

1. Research rabbit holes

I recently completed the Introduction to Psychology course from Yale’s Open University and it changed the way I look at the world. The course didn’t offer anything particularly groundbreaking (it was just an introduction, after all) but it finally gave me the language I needed to describe my own thoughts and feelings better.

We all know a little something about psychology, whether it’s information gained through TV shows or books or other media, but there is a difference in intentionally studying it and learning about definitions and terminology you wouldn’t have otherwise heard of in passing.

Perhaps it’s also because English is my second language, but I never felt comfortable describing certain feelings and emotions, or explaining why someone acts the way they do. Now I have the terminology for it.

This course had nothing to do with writing, but it helped me understand myself (and other people) better, and that is a far more valuable writing tool.

2. The Personal Curriculum

The rise of the “personal curriculum” is probably my favourite internet trend of late. I’ve always loved academia and learning, and I’m constantly sad about the fact that I’m not at university anymore.

I love that people are taking the time to better their understandings of the arts and humanities. I lament the fact that I didn’t pursue a literature degree, but now I can give myself that kind of education and my writing will be better for it.

A word of caution though — it’s easy to create the curriculum, it’s less easy to stick to it. You don’t need to get a colour-coded binder and several notebooks to have a personal curriculum. You don’t need an impossible reading list. Do what works for you.

The only thing I have on my personal curriculum for the rest of the year is a short course in developmental editing and maybe reading some non-fiction books. Nothing too serious, and nothing too time consuming, but just enough to learn something new.

3. Read a LOT

Once again, this one is kind of a given.

Read everything and anything. Good books, bad books. Non-fiction and erotica. There is always something to be learned, even if it’s just learning what not to do.

I firmly stand behind the statement that if you want to be a writer you need to be a reader first. No craft book can teach you more than seeing that craft in action.

4. Reading Fan Fiction

I’m overdue for a life update, but let’s just say that I’ve recently become a little obsessed with K-pop and I found myself on AO3 again.

There’s something so freeing about both reading and writing fanfiction. It gives you creative license to go rogue, basically.

What I learned from fanfic is that if I care enough for the characters, I will read anything. I also learned that while I like fluff as much as the next person, I like angst and plot more.

Fanfics are a masterclass in letting your characters and writing be messy. As a perfectionist, first drafts are notoriously hard for me because I cannot bring myself to create something that isn’t perfect from the get go. I was that girl in school who wrote her English essays in one go and then went back and wrote scribbled down something that looked like a first draft. Perfect version first, brainstorm second.

Fanfic gives me permission to be messy, and I am grateful for finding my way back there.

5. Touch Grass

Go to the park, take a walk, talk with friends. Travel. Take an art class. Just go outside and experience things. Do it alone if you have to, but even just a small step outside of your comfort zone, away from your phone, will do wonderful things for you.

6. Listening to Music

This relates to the K-pop obsession, but as I listen to more music I feel myself appreciating the art of telling a story in only 3 minutes. Even when I listen to music in languages I don’t understand, I still feel a certain way about it.

Writing, at the end of the day, is about feeling. Taking inspiration from the way different things make you feel will help you translate those feelings onto the page.

7. Read Translated Works

Speaking of translation and languages, another thing I find myself doing a lot lately is reading translated works. This does relate to point number three, but I thought I would put it separately.

Translated books allow us to see the world through a different lens than our own. It’s a way to explore different cultures, languages, thoughts, and experiences.1 And while translated works in itself is filtered through an English lens, I still think there is merit and value to reading these works and engaging with them.

8. Talk to Actual People

I’m an AI hater. ChatGPT does not touch a single part of my writing process and it never will. Not brainstorming, not for research, not for plotholes. Not even for character names.

If I’m stuck, I talk to someone. A friend who isn’t a writer. My writing group (we literally brain stormed character names together one Sunday afternoon while getting coffee). My discord group. A writing coach. Literally talk to another human being. It’s easier than you think it is (I’m probably the most anti-social introvert on the planet and I can do it, so can you. Hell come and talk to me, if you need to. My emails are always open).

AI will never be able to help you as much as a real person would.

What are some things you’re doing to become a better writer (or just to become a better creative)?

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