by Ruth Belena

Created on: April 16, 2009

If you think you need to gain confidence in you writing ability, you are more likely to become a successful writer than an amateur who only writes what they want, how they want, or someone who thinks their writing is so good it can never be improved.

Any good writer knows that a first draft will never be perfect. Professional writers understand that everything they write can benefit from being revised and reworked, before it goes into print or appears online.

To become more proficient as a writer, you can take steps to improve your writing ability. The following five tips should help you to gain more confidence as a writer.

[1] Improve your vocabulary.

You need to understand the correct meaning of words in order to use them correctly.

Read and write as much as possible, every day. Check any words you are unsure of in a dictionary. You will build up your confidence as you gain a wider vocabulary.

[2] Develop your writing style.

You need to ensure you can express yourself well in writing, within your own clear and consistent style.

Find your own unique voice and develop your own effective use of language. You have the power to use words creatively, so never allow yourself to use standard cliches or common phrases.

[3] Accept criticism and rejection.

If your work is rejected, or criticized, do not be discouraged by it.

If the criticism is constructive, take notice of it. See if you can use the advice to improve your work. You also have the option to decide against taking the advice, if it is not helpful to you.

Rejection is not a sign of failure. If your writing is rejected, without being given a reason, it could simply be that you have submitted it to a publisher who is not looking for the type of work you produce. Consider submitting through a literary agent, who can send you work out to more suitable publishers.

If a writing assignment is rejected, and you have followed the guidelines closely, it could be that the client did not explain well enough exactly what was required.

[4] Never give up.

Some of the greatest works of literature would never have been published had the authors not been persistent. Some writers of best sellers today initially faced numerous rejections.

Unknown authors will always be at a disadvantage, and more likely to have their work rejected. Publishers are reluctant to take a chance on a new writer, unless they are certain there is a market for the book.

Write every day, and keep writing. The only way to be a successful writer is to be a prolific one.

[5] Be adaptable.

Never think that the only way to develop as a writer is to write works of fiction or serious books. Rather than spending months or years working on a manuscript, you could successfully be writing and submitting reviews, articles, short stories, commentaries, news items or travel pieces. Whatever you can write about, there is a market for it.

Use the Internet to find writing opportunities. Join Helium and build your writing portfolio, establish yourself as a writer, start to earn revenue from writing.

If you want to work independently, you can offer your services as a freelancer. You can write web content for business sites, get paid for blogging or posting in forums. You can write promotional e-books or make money with article marketing.

It not uncommon to feel a lack confidence as a writer, but the more you write, the more your confidence you will gain in your writing ability. When you see your work regularly appearing in print and online, and you are earning money with your writing, you should feel confident and be proud of your writing skills.

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