A writer’s journal can perform this function, as well as its primary: opening your imagination. If you make sure you write in it at least every few days, about what you’ve seen, your ponderings on things, and ideas you may have had you will really start to notice a difference. Even if it starts out being a bit like a diary, it will soon morph into an imagination portal, where you can really put those crazy things in your head into words.

Why not use the back pages of your journal as a notebook – for ideas and jottings when out and about – and the front as an actual journal? Two birds with one stone. Or something like that.

What he meant (rather than brutal child murder), is that your favourite line in a poem, or paragraph in a story, or chapter in a novel , probably needs to be taken out. A horrifying thought for anyone new to writing or who is only just becoming accustomed to others’ feedback, I know, but a necessary one none the less.

Be prepared to see your writing from someone else’s point of view. You may think that this particular image is poignant, beautiful, lyrical and meaningful, when in actual fact it is just pretentious, pompous drivel.
The bottom line is to get over yourself, and be aware that if you want to write for other people, you have to listen to other people and admit the fact that you don’t always know best.

Try this for size:

“Jason entered the room sheepishly, trying not to be noticed. He sat down on the back row, gently, so the chair didn’t creak.”

Or

“Jason slowly opened the door and slipped through. He made his way to an empty seat at the end of the back row and sat down, taking care not to move the creaky plastic chair.”

The latter suggests the first, and though it uses more words to do so, it gives the reader a clearer impression of what is happening. Actions speak louder than words (while we’re on clichés) so make sure your writing is full of actions and movement, not stilted phrases and explanations.

Writers should always read over the text they have just written to check for inconsistencies or grammatical errors. Those who think that they can type away forever and not make a mistake are only kidding themselves.

A good technique for reading over text is to leave your work for a few hours before re-reading and then editing it. Sleeping on an article you have completed is a great way to take a step back and reflect on what you have written. Any work you do that is rushed, and written at the last minute, will not be up to the much needed high standard that you must set yourself, if your ultimate aim is to become a professional writer.

Readers always want to feel like they are part of the story so they can visualise the experience. This way they can create a picture of the story being told or the surroundings of the descriptive text. If you use descriptive words and terms throughout your text, including references to past experiences or things that the general public can connect with, you are well on the way to captivating your audience.

If your readers cannot visualise what you are trying to say, or do not have empathy for one of your characters, this can immediately leave them feeling alienated and hence they will soon get bored and stop reading your text.

You need to keep the readers of your material engrossed in what you have to say. Your writing style can of course change depending on your subject matter. But if you want people to read what you have written and you want to be successful – don’t be boring.

Being boring comes naturally to a lot of people. And, those who are boring won’t like to admit that they are. You may be boring and the subject matter may be boring but your text doesn’t have to be. If you are writing on a boring subject keeping your reader intrigued is the most important consideration you need to make. Your reader doesn’t have to be your biggest fan, but if they read to the end of your text you have succeeded in the task you set out to do.

If you are writing a thesis on particle physics you may have to adapt your writing style for your target audience. If you are however writing for your local newspaper, you may have to change your style so the people who are going to read it know what you want to say.

It is important to keep your readers interest when they read the article you have written. If you aim at the wrong sort of reader there is a good chance you will lose them before the end of the first paragraph. It won’t make any difference if the article is boring or perhaps the most interesting subject you have ever covered.

It is worth noting that knowing the subject you are writing about is of paramount importance. If you know the subject there is a good chance that the content and style will be of a higher quality and hence your target audience will stay focused.

If you are struggling to find the perfect writing job or perhaps just starting out on the path to your new career, taking heed of a few words of wisdom from someone who has seen just about every writing style might be just what you need.

Tip number 1 – Read and write like your life depends on it

Those who are proficient at writing also read extensively. If you want to be a writer you need to read different types of material at different levels. Only this way will you become more rounded and develop your own writing style. It goes without saying that the more you do something the better you get. So, as well as reading to become a better write you need to spend more time writing too.

When you have written a few paragraphs, read them back to yourself and then try to write what you have written in a different style or in a different way. If you keep doing this you will be amazed at how your style develops and how quickly the flow of your writing style improves.