There is only so much writing practice you can do in a day, but there are also a lot of non-writing activities you can do that will make you a better writer.
1. Read
This one is pretty obvious-good writers are also good readers. For more reasons on why writers should read, check out this blog post.
2. Learn Grammar
This could be taking a class or simply reading a grammar book (or browsing The Chicago Manual of Style!). Learning more about grammar and punctuation will make your writing cleaner and more readable.
3. Exercise
Exercise can clear the mind, give you energy, and release endorphins, leaving you ready to write.
4. People Watch
The people around you can provide inspiration for characters and plots in your novels.
5. Go Sightseeing
Whether it’s near or far, sightseeing can make you a better writer because you’ll have more knowledge of different places to draw from when writing. Sightseeing can also give you ideas for stories and settings, or set you in a new direction that you may not have even thought about exploring before.
6. Learn a New Skill
A boring person can’t write interesting books. Learning a new skill will help you write a better variety of characters and plot lines.
7. Try Meditating
Meditation, or just relaxing and thinking, can help you develop your thoughts into fully formed ideas that you can then use in your books. So much of life is go-go-go, but taking time to stop and think can work wonders.
Originally published at https://mybookcave.com on February 26, 2020.
