Becoming a better writer involves honing various skills and utilizing resources to enhance your craft. It means actually writing, being authentic and getting your ideas across clearly.

Every writer needs tools they can use when they run out of ideas or want to get better at writing and keep up with the latest trends in the writing world. There are lots of writing blogs and websites online that talk about the writing industry. But you don’t want to spend a lot of time and effort trying to find the best ones among all the websites.

So, here are seven writing resources that can significantly contribute to your growth as a writer:

1. Sharpening a Story Idea

You must consider several aspects to write a solid, thorough personal story that satisfies readers. This primarily entails asking yourself questions like, “How does this topic affect the reader?” or “What questions can this chapter answer?” By addressing these aspects, you can create an ongoing conversation about important topics by educating readers.

Here’s a list of questions that can help you sharpen your idea for a non-fiction story:

1. What is the core message or theme of your story?

• Who is your target audience, and what do you want them to gain from reading your story?
• What is the unique angle or perspective you bring to this topic?
• Why is this story important or relevant in today’s world?
• What is the central problem or conflict you aim to address in your story?
• What research or interviews must you conduct to gather information and insights for your personal story?
• Can you incorporate any personal experiences or anecdotes to make the story more engaging?
• How will you structure your story (e.g., chronological, thematic, narrative)?
• What is the key takeaway or lesson you want readers to remember?
• Have you identified potential sources, experts, or case studies to support your narrative?
• How will you handle potential biases or conflicting viewpoints within your story?
• What tone and style do you want to adopt for your writing (e.g., formal, conversational, investigative)?
• Have you considered the ethical implications of your story, especially if it involves sensitive topics or individuals?
• How will you ensure the credibility and accuracy of the information presented in your story?
• What is your timeline for researching, writing, and publishing your non-fiction work?
• Are any legal considerations or permissions required for using specific content or interviews?
• What makes your story stand out from other books or articles on a similar topic?
• How will you stay motivated and disciplined throughout the writing and editing process?

These questions can serve as a starting point for refining your non-fiction story idea and guiding your research and writing process. Tailor them to create a compelling and impactful narrative of your story.

• Writing Workshops/Courses

Think of these as classes you can take to improve your writing. You can either go to a place where people teach you in person or take lessons online. They will give you advice on how to make your writing better.

Imagine you love writing, but you want to get better at it. You decide to join a writing workshop at your local library. In this workshop, they will arrange a meeting with a group of people every week.

During the workshop, you all bring your stories or essays, and others read them. What’s cool is that other people in the workshop also share their ideas. One member might suggest, “Your beginning is a bit confusing. Maybe you could start with a catchy sentence to grab the reader’s attention.” You try that out, too.

Over time, as you keep attending the writing workshop and making improvements based on the advice you receive, your writing starts to get better and better. It’s a bit like practicing a sport – the more you practice, the stronger and more skilled you become. In this case, your “sport” is writing, and the writing workshop is like your training ground where you practice and improve your skills.

P.S. Our next writing program will start in November 2023!

• Reading Widely

This means reading lots of different kinds of stories. Doing this lets you see how other authors write and what makes their stories interesting. It’s like trying different types of food to understand what you like.

Imagine you’re at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Instead of just sticking to one type of food, like pizza or burgers, you try a little of everything – salads, pasta, sushi, and desserts. Why? Because you want to find out what flavors and dishes you like.

Now, think of books as different kinds of food for your brain. When I say “Reading Widely,” it means not sticking to one type of genre, like only reading autobiographies or novels. Instead, it’s like exploring a variety of books about history, autobiographies, memoirs, how-to books, and more.

Doing this allows you to taste different writing styles, just like you taste different flavors at the buffet. Some authors write simply and straightforwardly, while others use fancy words and complex sentences. Reading widely helps you understand what kind of writing you enjoy the most.

So, reading widely is like being an explorer in the world of books. You try different things to see what makes your reading experience exciting and enjoyable. Just like trying all those other foods at the buffet helps you discover your favorite flavors, reading different non-fiction and fiction stories enables you to find your favorite types of books and authors. It’s a fun and tasty adventure for your brain!

• Grammar and Style Guides

Grammar is like the rules that help your writing make sense, and style is how you make your writing sound good. These guides are like rulebooks that explain how to use words correctly and make your writing sound nice. It’s like learning how to paint a picture neatly.

Imagine that writing is like creating a painting with words. Grammar is like the set of rules that help you use those words in the right way so your writing makes sense. It’s like knowing where to put each color on your canvas so that the painting looks good.

Style, on the other hand, is all about making your writing sound pleasing to the ear. It’s like adding your personal touch to your painting to make it unique and beautiful. Style guides are like instruction books that show you how to use words correctly and make your writing compelling, just like a guidebook that helps you learn how to paint a picture neatly. This is an educational style guide.

So, grammar and style guides are like your trusty companions on your writing journey, helping you follow the rules and add your artistic flair to create a masterpiece with words.

Using AI editing tools like Grammarly or Writing Pro can assist you with developing your understanding of grammar and its correct use. These tools are also excellent at helping you expand your knowledge of punctuation. Another great function is they will point out any repeated words, allowing you to grow your vocabulary. In addition to this, the software will flag wordiness, enabling you to write concisely making your points clear.

• Writing Prompts and Exercises

Writing prompts are like little ideas that you can use to start writing. It’s like having a little spark to help you develop a story. Here are some examples of writing prompts for non-fiction stories:

1. Describe a pivotal moment that completely changed your perspective on a particular issue or aspect of life.
2. Write about a place you visited that left a profound impact on you. What made it memorable, and how did it influence your thoughts or actions?
3. Share a personal experience where you overcame a significant obstacle or adversity. How did you navigate it, and what did you learn from the experience?
4. Reflect on a book, movie, or work of art that had a lasting influence on your beliefs or values. Explain why it resonated with you.
5. Discuss a skill or hobby you’ve developed over the years. What drew you to it, and how has it shaped your life or outlook?
6. Write about a memorable conversation with someone who challenged your beliefs or opened your eyes to a new perspective.
7. Explore a moment of personal growth or self-discovery. What prompted this change, and how did it impact your life in the future?
8. Share a historical event or figure that fascinates you, and explore why it captivates your interest.
9. Discuss a cultural tradition, ritual, or practice that is significant in your life or community. Explain its origins and its importance to you.
10. Reflect on a personal journey of learning or education. What motivated you to pursue it, and how has it shaped your career or personal development?
11. Write about a challenge you faced professionally and your strategies to overcome it. What lessons did you learn in the process?
12. Explore a current social or environmental issue that you’re passionate about. What led to your interest in this topic, and how do you envision contributing to its resolution?
13. Discuss a moment when you had to make a difficult ethical decision. What factors did you consider, and how did your choice impact you and those around you?
14. Write about a personal achievement or milestone that made you feel accomplished. What steps did you take to reach this goal, and what did it teach you about yourself?

These writing prompts can serve as starting points for the stories that explore your experiences, thoughts, and beliefs. Feel free to adapt and expand upon them to create compelling narratives that resonate with your readers.

On the other hand, exercises are like practicing your writing skills, just like you practice playing a musical instrument. It can be a valuable way to hone your writing skills and gather material for your non-fiction book. Here’s an example of a writing exercise that can help you develop content for your book:

1. Choose a Theme: Select a specific theme or topic your non-fiction book will revolve around. This could be a personal development journey, a journey through victimhood, business success, or any subject you choose.
2. Set a Timer: Allocate a set amount of time each day or week for this exercise. Consistency is key.
3. Reflect and Write: Take a few moments to reflect on your experiences, observations, and insights related to the chosen theme. Then, write personal anecdotes, stories, or reflections about the theme. Don’t worry about the perfect story; focus on capturing your thoughts and memories.
4. Variety of Perspectives: Explore different angles and perspectives within your theme. Write from your point of view, but also try to imagine how others might perceive or experience the same situation.
5. Experiment with Styles: Vary your writing style as you go along. Write in the first person, third person, present tense, past tense, and experiment with different tones (e.g., humorous, reflective, informative).
6. Include Emotions and Senses: Incorporate emotions and sensory details to make your anecdotes vivid and relatable. Describe how you felt, what you saw, heard, smelled, and touched during these experiences.
7. Organization: Keep your anecdotes organized. You can use a digital document or physical notebook for this exercise. Create separate sections or files for different themes or aspects of your non-fiction book.
8. Review and Reflect: Periodically review what you’ve written. Look for common threads, recurring themes, and connections between your anecdotes. Reflect on how these stories contribute to your overall message or argument.
9. Expand and Refine: As you continue this exercise over time, you may identify anecdotes or insights that can be expanded into full chapters or sections of your book. These personal stories will add depth and authenticity to your non-fiction work.

Remember, writing exercises are meant to be flexible and adaptable to your needs. Feel free to modify this exercise to suit your goals and writing style. The key is to keep practicing, collecting material, and refining your ideas as you work toward creating your non-fiction book.

• Use an online Thesaurus @ thesaurus.com

Spice up your vocabulary and avoid repetitive words. It’s your secret weapon for vibrant, engaging writing. Using a thesaurus is like having a treasure chest of words at your fingertips, and as a writing coach, I can’t emphasize enough the incredible benefits it offers to writers of all levels. Here are several compelling reasons why incorporating a thesaurus into your writing toolkit can significantly enhance your skills and creativity.

First and foremost, a thesaurus helps you diversify your vocabulary. It’s easy to fall into the trap of using the exact words repeatedly in your writing, which can make your story sound monotonous and uninspiring. A thesaurus allows you to discover synonyms, offering fresh alternatives that breathe life into your narrative. Choosing the perfect word to convey your thoughts can paint a more vivid and engaging picture for your readers.

Additionally, using a thesaurus can be an excellent tool for overcoming writer’s block. When you struggle to find the right word or phrase, browsing a thesaurus can help you break creative barriers. It stimulates your brain, providing alternative options that can spark new ideas and directions for your writing.

Lastly, a thesaurus is a valuable ally for any writer. It fosters creativity, diversifies your vocabulary, enhances adaptability, and promotes personal growth as a wordsmith. I encourage you to make the thesaurus a trusted companion on your writing journey. It’s a powerful tool that can elevate your writing to new heights and captivate your readers like never before.

• Editing and Revision Resources

Editing is like giving your writing a check-up to ensure it’s healthy and clear. Revision is like giving your writing a makeover to make it look its best.

Think of editing as a way to ensure your writing is in good shape, like when you visit the doctor for a check-up to stay healthy. It’s about fixing mistakes and making your writing easy to understand.

Revision is like making your writing look nice, just like when you get a makeover to look your best. It’s about improving how your words sound and flow together.

Here are some resources and tools you can use for editing and revision:

• Grammarly: Grammarly is an online writing assistant that checks for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. It also offers suggestions for improving sentence structure and clarity.
• Hemingway Editor: This online tool helps you simplify and improve your writing. It highlights complex sentences, suggests simpler alternatives, and provides readability scores.
• Nothing beats an editor who understands you: Such an editor becomes a trusted collaborator, offering constructive feedback and suggestions that are finely tuned to your goals and intentions, ultimately resulting in writing that is refined and authentically yours. This synergy improves the quality of your work and fosters a sense of creative partnership that can be truly transformative for your writing journey.

We can also help you with any editing and feedback you need to publish your manuscript.

Remember, becoming a better writer is like learning a new skill and it is a continuous journey that requires dedication, practice, and a willingness to learn from various sources. Tailor your approach to suit your preferences and writing goals.

Happy writing!