Good writing takes time and practice but it is important to know where to begin. Here are a few tips that can guide you:

1. Do not compare yourself with others

Becoming an expert writer takes time but sometimes it is easy to get distracted by the work of other writers. Sometimes we do not even know that we are constantly comparing ourselves to others. A good way to become a better writer is to understand that you are on your path which is different from that of everyone else.

The truth is, regardless of how good you are you will always find someone who can write better than you. In making a comparison, you set yourself up to fail as most likely you will concentrate on your flaws and the other person’s strengths.

The right approach should be to become comfortable with imperfection while taking more practical steps to become a better writer.

2. Be ready to grow

Growing requires humility and admitting that you do not know it all. Identify, accept, then work on your weaknesses to become a better writer. As a beginner or whichever level of growth you are as a writer, the worst thing you can do to your career is to think you can learn nothing. Everybody, including experts, can always learn something and realizing this will make you a better writer faster.

This, however, does not mean you become self-critical. It means that just as you identify and work on your weaknesses, you notice and make use of your strengths too.

3. Learn from others but remember who you are

An essential part of growing as a writer is to learn and cultivate your style. While there is nothing wrong with learning other styles - in fact, this is good - you need to bring out your voice in your writing. What makes you different from everyone else? How are your stories different? Can a loyal reader identify your work when presented with different options? These are questions that need to be at the forefront of your mind when thinking about growing.

4. Make your work comical, humor sells

No reader wants to get bored. No person would want to listen to a conversation if they knew beforehand it was going to be dull and disengaging. Unless you are writing professional pieces that require a higher level of formality, do not take yourself too seriously. Include a few jokes, funny details or quirky characters that will have your readers smiling, or better still, roaring with laughter. Everyone loves a good joke.

Remember the many voices you are competing with out there, and that your reader has many options to choose from, including trending memes, jokes on social media, the constant “breaking news” headlines, and many more. Make your work entertaining. If you are tackling a serious topic, include characters who develop the themes while still entertaining the reader. It could be the way they dress, their experiences, the way they speak or their backgrounds. Anything to keep the reader hooked.