Writing is an amazing habit. I try to write everyday. Most days, the writing is average or below average. Once in a while though, the stuff that comes out makes me wonder … did I really write that?

Regardless, writing on a daily basis is a habit I recommend everyone ought to cultivate. You don’t have to write lengthy prose. Just write anything that comes to your mind. There are so many benefits to writing. Just google “benefits of writing“.

But, there are 5 tips I learned, from many different sources, that improves my writing. Hope it helps your writing also.

#1 – Delete the word “that”

You believe that I’m sleeping, but I’m not.

Now, let’s try again without “that”.

You believe I’m sleeping, but I’m not.

#2 – Avoid words that end in “ing”

The food I am eating is usually very disappointing. What are you eating?

Now, let’s try it without the -ing.

The food I eat usually disappoints. What do you eat?

#3 – Remove the words “I think”

“I think, this computer is faster” becomes “this computer is faster.”

The words, “I think” add no real value to the sentence.

#4 – Short Sentences, Shorter Paragraphs

Write short sentences. Write shorter paragraphs.

This tip is from Ernest Hemingway. Most classics have long sentences, longer paragraphs. Not Hemingway. His style came from being a journalist from Kansas City Star.

His best example about short sentences and shorter paragraphs is this:

For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.

Ernest Hemingway

A powerful six-word story.

#5 – Be positive, not negative

Another tip from Hemingway. Write what is, not what isn’t.

Instead of saying, this is painless, say, this is comfortable.

Instead of expensive, say economical.

In conclusion …

That’s it. Writing is a muscle. More you work it, stronger it becomes.

When I first discovered these rules, I had trouble committing them to memory. I still forget many. So, I created a printout I can keep on my desk for easy recall.

Download your copy of 5 Simple Tips that Improved My Writing. (no email required). Share it with others without changing anything.

Hope these tips are beneficial to you