Writing is the best way to describe your thoughts, emotions and vision regarding any topic. Writing gives a precise shape to your abstract ideas. Whatever you think or feel about something can conveniently be shared with others through writing.

Good writing is meant to evoke sensations in the reader, not just the acknowledgement that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon. A skilled writer knows how to take control of their readers, making their writing effective and compelling to the point where it cannot be ignored. However, becoming a good writer is no easy task. It requires time, patience and dedication, as writing is not something everyone can do, it demands significant attention and consistency.

Consistency plays a crucial role in writing. If someone remains committed and consistent towards writing, it will become a habit. As the saying goes, “Practice regularly and consciously, and it will become a habit.” Committing to writing daily for 40 days will help cultivate the habit of writing and lead to unbelievable improvements in writing skills.

Writing is like music, always demands practice. If a skilled singer skips practice for even one day, no one will notice it. If they miss practice for a week, they’ll notice the difference themselves, and if it extends to a month, those around them will take note. Writing operates on a similar principle, continuous practice is vital because practice makes perfect. When you stop practicing, you’ll feel the change within yourself, as proficiency in any skill comes with practice and experience. Therefore, being punctual and regular in your writing endeavours can significantly contribute to becoming a proficient writer.

On the other hand, it won’t be wrong to say that writing is proportional to reading. The more one reads, the more one discovers about writing, as it enriches one’s vocabulary and knowledge.

Hence, to develop writing skills, it is essential to cultivate a habit of reading first. Reading, when combined with writing, becomes a valuable tool for aspiring writers as it imparts the ethics of writing, helps recognise diverse sentence structures that contribute to effective writing and allows one to learn from others’ works.

By following these guidelines and establishing a regular writing routine, one can become a proficient writer. Writing holds a unique charm; it encourages deep contemplation on various subjects, acting as a daily exercise for the mind, broadening one’s perspective and bolstering both mental ability and confidence.

As Francis Bacon rightly said, “Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.”

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 2nd, 2023