So you want to be the best writer you can possibly be, right? After all, who aims for average? Not you, because why else would you be here? Well, there’s more to becoming a great writer than the ability to plot a great novel. You have to become the type of person who achieves these things. That includes cultivating the mindset and habits of a great writer. Well, hopefully these 12 tips will set you on the path to becoming the best writer you could ever be.

 

1. Sit down and write.
You can’t write a novel without first writing a sentence. Try not to focus on the big project ahead. Instead, focus on building the writing habit.

2. Be the writer YOU want to be.
It can be easy to mould ourselves to the wants of others, but it’s hard to become the best at something you don’t care for. Write what you want to write and don’t worry about what other people think you should be writing.

3. Forget shortcuts.
There are things that will help you on your journey, but in the end, you still have to take the journey! Make peace with the long road to becoming a writer.

4. Build your platform.
When you become the successful writer you deserve to be, you’ll need an author platform, but why wait until then when you could build your audience now? Whether you choose Twitter, Facebook, a website, or another medium, the earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to learn the ropes!

5. Take help when you need it.
No one truly makes it on their own. We all need help sometimes. Reach out to people. Find a mentor. Look for someone who’s been in your position and seek their advice. If you’re offered help, take it! Don’t let your pride prevent you becoming a great writer.

6. Don’t compare yourself to others.
Your journey is your own. Don’t compare yourself to other writers. Find your own style and tell your own story.

7. Celebrate the small successes.
Every success counts! Take the time to congratulate yourself for the little things because it’s the little things that add up to become the big things.

8. Be authentic.
Don’t pretend to know something or be someone that you’re not. Whoever you are, whatever you write and whoever you become is amazing just as it is. In fact, you’re all the more amazing for just being yourself.

9. Make peace with failure.
You’ll be seeing a lot of it on the road to success. Try to associate failing with being on the right path. If you’re not failing, you’re not pushing yourself hard enough. Live and work on the edge of your capabilities.

10. Look after your health.
This is an important one. You can’t enjoy any success in life if your health is compromised. Being a writer means you likely lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle, so it’s all the more important to get active when you can, eat well and take good care of your overall health.

11. Have another hobby.
It’s important to take a break from writing sometimes, but there are other great benefits to having a few hobbies. You’ll meet lots of interesting people who can inspire your work and acquiring knowledge in other areas will add depth and realism to your writing.

12. Help other writers.
Not only does this feel good, but I think that by teaching something, you begin to understand it on an even deeper level. Not to mention you could make some lifelong friends too!

I really hope these tips help move you closer to being the best writer you can possibly be, but just remember, there’s no rush. Writing should be fun! So relax, be happy and enjoy the journey. You’re going to learn some amazing things and meet some fantastic people along the way. But perhaps most importantly, keep writing, keep learning and build a better book.