The document outlines five practical steps to enhance writing skills: read good books to improve vocabulary and grammar, practice storytelling to effectively convey ideas, connect with fellow writers for support and insights, commit to regular writing practice, and invest in writing education through resources like books and blogs. Each step focuses on actionable strategies to build a better writing foundation. Overall, it emphasizes continuous learning and sharing within the writing community.

1. 5 Things You Can Do
Right Now to Be a
Better Writer
www.beafreelancewriter.com

2. 1. Pick up a good book
• Reading allows you
to appreciate the
written word
• It opens you up to
different writing
styles, thus
improving your own
Image: thejbird (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lac-
bac/4678566829/sizes/m/in/photostream/) www.beafreelancewriter.com

3. 1. Pick up a good book
• It improves your spelling and grammar
• It widens your vocabulary
Image: elginwx (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92239147@N00/462868700/sizes/m/in/photostream/)
www.beafreelancewriter.com

4. 2. Practice story telling
“I think telling a story is the best way to
make a point…Without a story, it doesn’t
stick with people.” ~ Barbara Corcoran
Source: Mixergy interview with Andrew Warner (http://mixergy.com/barbara-
corcoran-shark-interview/) www.beafreelancewriter.com

5. 2. Practice story telling
• Stories SELL, so learn
to story-tell.
• Stories can be used to
simplify abstract notions.
• Being able to put
concepts into words
(using stories) is one of
the most important skills
that any good writer
must have
Image: BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbird/19650368/sizes/m/in/photostream ) www.beafreelancewriter.com

6. 3. Hang out with the right writers
• Need ideas, tips, guidance, or critiques?
Writers—the ones who are out in the
trenches can give you what you need
straight up.
Image: izzyplante (http://www.flickr.com/photos/izzyplante/40464446/sizes/m/in/photostream/)
www.beafreelancewriter.com

7. 3. Hang out with the right writers
Writing blogs you can check out right now:
• Make A Living Writing http://www.makealivingwriting.com/
• The Renegade Writer http://www.therenegadewriter.com/
• Productive Writers http://productivewriters.com/
• Absolute Write http://absolutewrite.com/
• All Freelance Writing http://allfreelancewriting.com/
• The Well-Fed Writer http://wellfedwriter.com/
www.beafreelancewriter.com

8. 4. Practice, practice, practice!
• There’s no getting
around this one.
• Do it everyday, even
when you don’t feel like
it.
• Do it now. SERIOUSLY.
Need ideas? Search
#writingprompt on
Twitter and starting
writing.
Source: John Althouse Cohen (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johncohen/55582632/sizes/m/in/photostream/)
www.beafreelancewriter.com

9. 5. Educate yourself
Invest in your writing education. This will enable you to improve
your skills and get where you want to be while minimizing
mistakes.
• Read books on writing
• Find a mentor
• Bookmark the blogs
mentioned in this
presentation and be a
regular reader
• Take a course
www.beafreelancewriter.com
Source: sterlic (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sterlic/5559534294/)

10. 5. Educate yourself
Invest in your writing education. This will enable you to improve
your skills and get where you want to be while minimizing
mistakes.
• Read books on writing
• Find a mentor
• Bookmark the blogs
mentioned in this
presentation and be a
regular reader
• Take a course
www.beafreelancewriter.com
Source: sterlic (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sterlic/5559534294/)