Reading makes you a better writer.
Writing makes you a better thinker.
Better thinking leads to better everything.
David Mamet's writings on writing are the best.
Ask HN: How to get better at writing?
41–50 of 95 posts
Re: Ask HN: How to get better at writing?
#42Read a lot. Write a lot. Repeat
Re: Ask HN: How to get better at writing?
#43"Have something to say". Everything else is secondary.
Re: Ask HN: How to get better at writing?
#44What has really helped me is two things.
1. Condense. Much of good writing is simply signal/noise ratio!
First write a draft that says all you want to say. Then go over it again and again, removing/rephrasing un-needed words and syllables. 20% compression is a decent result.
2. "Rubber ducking". Imagine showing the text to someone likely to read it. I've developed an "inner stranger" I show text or code to. He doesn't have my specialized knowledge, but is reasonably smart.
Implied above is to always write a draft that you edit. Do NOT try to form a perfect text in your mind before writing!
Re: Ask HN: How to get better at writing?
#45Write 2x and cut 1/2
Re: Ask HN: How to get better at writing?
#46[dead]
Re: Ask HN: How to get better at writing?
#47Write often, about anything.
Perhaps try nicheless.blog, I write there regularly. Given a 300 word limit, I can write one or two thoughts. The word limit necessitates merciless editing, if i care to have a coherent message to say to the reader.
I write about, literally, anything, at first. Writing is a muscle rarely used by anyone. It is a superpower that could be mastered, or at least harnessed, by everyone.
Currently I write about boring ole everyday subjects. Putting in the work. However, I am getting ready to try flash fiction, then perhaps a short story.
Good luck.
Re: Ask HN: How to get better at writing?
#48What I did: (1) start a blog, (2) force yourself to write at a specific frequency at all costs, like once a month, (3) plan and schedule future writing topics and times, (4) be very intentional with each sentence and paragraph, and (5) start with an outline for each post and iterate on it before filling in with details.
#5 feels like a superpower to me. It has made writing so much easier. It forces me to really understand (and to realize what I don’t understand) about the topic.
Re: Ask HN: How to get better at writing?
#49Use chatgpt :)
Re: Ask HN: How to get better at writing?
#50many have already advised to read a lot, write a lot. allow me to add a 2022 piece of advice: ask ChatGPT to review what you write. or rewrite in the style you are trying to achieve.
let us know how it goes :)