Improve your writing

Easier said than done ... natch ... but oh, so worth it!

Gary Bloomer | SHAKING THE TREE # 226

Improve your writing

After publishing 225 articles in two years, here’s what I’ve learned about writing:

1. Write less, mean more

Forget about writing every day. Forced writing leads to bad habits.

Write when you feel like wirting.

Write the sorts of content you want to read.

2. Steal like an artist

Don’t copy—dissect. When you read something great, reverse-engineer it. Why does it work? Learn, understand, then adapt your approach accordingly.

3. Write like you talk (but better)

First drafts should sound like conversations, not lectures. My best posts started as messy rants—refined later for clarity.

4. Embrace the Ugly Draft

Perfectionism kills creativity. Get your ideas down first, then fill in between the gaps. You can’t polish what doesn’t exist.

5. Stop trying to be “good”

Writing to impress is exhausting. Write to express instead. Authenticity beats forced brilliance.

Progress isn’t straightforward

Some days, your writing will flow.

Other days, it will be a struggle.

Both are normal.

Learn to walk away when you’re stuck—the best ideas strike off-screen.

Now go write something you’d actually enjoy reading.

As always, thanks for reading.

—Gary

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P.S. If you found this useful, share it with another creator who needs an ego check (in a nice way). Want more unfiltered takes on content creation? Join my newsletter. No fluff, just the stuff that works.

Next time on Shaking the Tree: Being OK with letting go.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Originally from the U.K., Gary Bloomer is a writer, branding advocate, marketing specialist, and an award-winning graphic designer.
His design work has been included in Creative Review (one of the UK’s largest design magazines). Since 2009, he has answered over 5,000 marketing and business questions in the Know-How Exchange of MarketingProfs.com, placing him among the top 3% of contributors. He lives in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.