Ask HN: How do you get better at writing, blog posts or otherwise?

#1

Post by daryllxd » Sat, Mar 03, 2018, 12:28 PM UTC

Hi guys, how do you get better at writing?(General/tactical advice welcome.)

In the past few months, I've written a lot of drafts, but it's so hard to publish posts. I just can't get sentence construction (for now, I hope). I have a structure of points I want to make, but I somehow just keep on writing the same boring sentences. Any actionable tips, books, blogs, whatever to help?

Re: Ask HN: How do you get better at writing, blog posts or otherwise?

#2

Post by cimmanom » Sat, Mar 03, 2018, 1:08 PM UTC

Practice, feedback, and reading a lot of writing of the sort you want to emulate.

The last point is subtle but important. After reading a trilogy by an author with a distinctive writing style I'll find myself unconsciously writing and even speaking in a voice similar to theirs.

Publish even what's imperfect so you can get feedback. Oh, and short sentences are good: they're easy to understand!

Re: Ask HN: How do you get better at writing, blog posts or otherwise?

#3

Post by miguelbemartin » Sat, Mar 03, 2018, 1:41 PM UTC

In my opinion, I think the better way to write better is to write a personal journal. Only for you.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get better at writing, blog posts or otherwise?

#4

Post by brudgers » Sat, Mar 03, 2018, 1:51 PM UTC

Without publishing, it is impossible to write blog posts. Publishing is more important than sentence structure to readers.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get better at writing, blog posts or otherwise?

#5

Post by daryllxd » Sat, Mar 03, 2018, 2:03 PM UTC

brudgers wrote: post #4

Without publishing, it is impossible to write blog posts. Publishing is more important than sentence structure to readers.

Christ, that's right. "Without publishing, it is impossible to write blog posts." I should just keep on publishing because (this is just my thought process right now, not so sure about this):

- People can figure out points, because I've gotten things from blog posts with so-so sentence composition but brilliant points. As long as the points make sense, an article that's badly written from the technical perspective still has some value. - Everything can be edited or deleted anyway.

Thanks!