Five Ways to Improve Your Writing Immediately

Today I have  five simple tips that can improve your writing immediately. You might be thinking yeah, yeah… but keep listening and you’ll see!

So, taking a few minutes to prepare yourself before you sit down to write can improve your creativity and your output hugely.

I wonder what you’re thinking – what will these simple ways be? Reading, a practice exercise, turning off the internet? Well, those are all great things, but the five things I have for you today are much more basic!

1. Exercise. Yup, exercise! Even just a few minutes of aerobic activity before you start writing can make your brain sharper, helping you to concentrate and come up with creative ideas. Fifteen to twenty minutes of exercise is ideal. You don't have to go to the gym – a brisk walk around the block is fine! Anything to get your blood flowing is good.
2. Have a healthy meal or snack. Sharpen your mental focus with some good brain foods: wholegrain cereals, fruit, salad, nuts and seeds, fish, lean meat, beans and pulses. Avoid fatty and sugary foods when you want to write, as these can make you sluggish. A square of dark chocolate can do wonders if you are craving something sweet – I always keep some in the kitchen cupboard!
3. Have a glass or two of water. It is a well known fact that dehydration can cause fatigue. Drinking plenty of water can help you think faster and clearer. If you really don't like the taste of water, try it with a squeeze of lemon juice, or try fruit/herbal teas. My favourite is peppermint! (I grow mint in the garden, so it’s free. :-))
4. Take a few minutes to pray. Let's be honest, how often do we forget to pray until we're stuck? But if we are writing to encourage and inspire children and teens in their faith, prayer is essential. After all, the God to whom we pray is the one who may use our stories to touch hearts and lives. That's an awesome responsibility. Dare we write and not pray?
5. Remember your purpose. Look at a photo of the children you are writing for. Having these precious faces imprinted on your mind as you site down to write will help you with clarity and determination. You will also be thinking of them as you write your dialogue and your scenes – which will no doubt improve your story!

So there you go, five simple things you can do straight away to improve your writing!

If you’ve enjoyed this, please leave a review, and if you have any tips for healthy snacks, please share them with us! It's wonderful to be able to encourage each other. :-)

Oh, and if you are feeling sluggish during your writing and need a break, do a mini version of all these four things again. Move around, jog on the spot, have a glass of water and a piece of fruit, take a quick look at that photo, then stop to pray. You'll be amazed what a difference it makes.

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If you’d like further help with your novel, our Writers for a Reason Unite group is open for new members until Thursday 19th May. Check it out on write-for-a-reason.com/unite.

It’s an absolutely brilliant way to get your novel written – we have great fun, fellowship, teaching and you can ask me anything you like about your novel! There’s a special price for this week only – and we will be closing the doors again for a while