Hello readers of 2coffee.dev. Writing is a skill that can be honed day by day. Learning to write is not difficult, but it requires a certain level of perseverance. If someone claims they are good at writing from the very first attempt, it could only be due to innate talent or the result of undergoing the 10,000-hour formula—emphasizing that the best, even geniuses, must go through a relentless practice process.
Before writing blogs, I had no idea how to write. I believed I lacked the ability to write because I couldn’t write like the articles I had read. But because of my immense passion for sharing, I decided to put pen to paper, regardless of whether it turned out good or bad. Initially, writing was very challenging because I couldn’t control my sentences; even when I had many ideas in mind, the output was far from what I imagined. At times, I felt like giving up, but fortunately, I discovered some principles that helped me improve my writing skills.
Below are 5 lessons drawn from over 5 years of blogging. These might seem basic, but when combined and repeated consistently, they will help you improve day by day.
Anyone starting out has likely heard the advice to read more. Reading is a way to learn; by reading, you build your vocabulary and learn how others structure their content. The more you read, the more you gather and make those elements your own. If you have many ideas in your head but can’t put them into coherent sentences, it’s likely because your vocabulary is insufficient. Always remember: to write well, you must first read a lot.
If you want to write about a specific genre, read many books on that topic. Additionally, you can read literature or novels to improve your word usage and rhetorical techniques. Reading is not just about skimming through text but also about reflecting and analyzing the author’s intentions. Jot down impressive points, and if possible, apply them immediately.
Start writing today, about anything you can think of. We can only improve by practicing. To make it simple, start with short, basic sentences. For example, try describing how your day went.
Let me try first with simple sentences:
"I woke up at 6 a.m. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I walked downstairs. I jogged until 7 a.m. and came back home. I got dressed to prepare for work."
One common mistake beginners make is writing long sentences containing too many ideas to convey in one go. After 2-3 such sentences, they almost run out of things to write because all their ideas have been expressed. This approach can make readers feel confused and tired, and writers feel stuck. They might realize the issue upon rereading but wouldn’t know how to fix it.
Using simple sentences helps convey ideas more clearly and coherently, like listing a sequence of tasks. As in the example above, the sentences are clear and logical. What’s missing is the “soul,” or in other words, the writer’s personal style. After practicing with simple sentences, it’s time to add “soul” to them.
"I woke up at 6 a.m. as sunlight streamed into my room, piercing through the glass window and illuminating the cozy bed tucked into a corner. I stretched, pulled the warm blanket aside, and slipped into the neatly placed slippers by the bed. A chill made me shiver. I slowly walked to the bathroom, still yawning. I brushed my teeth and washed my face while thinking about the important meeting today…"
If you’re wondering where these added phrases come from and how to come up with them, that’s when you need to read, read, and read even more.
I’ve read many articles, and the difference between a good piece and a bad one lies in how the writer conveys their message. A good article ensures that readers grasp all the writer’s ideas because only then will they find it engaging—and vice versa.
The truth is, no two people are alike. Everyone comes from different environments, leading to varied levels of understanding. If you’re a writer and want to write for everyone, how do you do it? For me, it’s by using simple and relatable language, assuming that not everyone will understand what I write. It’s akin to a method you might have heard of: explaining something to a 6-year-old child.
By writing in this way, you can reach a broader audience, make the content easier to read, and thereby make it significantly better.
Creating an outline—sounds familiar, right? That’s because it’s what we often did as students when writing essays. The same principle applies to writing anything.
An outline helps you focus on what you want to write. It’s like a compass guiding you toward achieving your goal. Creating an outline is quite simple—just jot down the points you want to include in your piece.
For example, here’s the outline for this article:
"This article lists 5 lessons the author has learned from over 5 years of blogging, aimed at those who want to write but don’t know where to start.
Briefly introduce myself
Emphasize that I didn’t know how to write and struggled with it
Discuss the 5 lessons:
Read, Read, and Read: The best way to write well is to read.
Write, Write, and Write: The best way to improve is to write everything down.
Never Assume Readers Understand What You Write: Write with the mindset of addressing everyone.
Focus on Content by Creating an Outline: Create an outline to stay focused on the main content and stick to the points you want to convey.
Reread and Improve Your Writing: The best way to improve writing skills is to identify and fix previous mistakes."
As mentioned, writing is a learning process, so the best way to learn is to recognize your mistakes and fix them. I have a habit of rereading my own work at a later time. There are pieces I consider excellent because they fully convey the intended message, have clear and concise sentences, avoid repetition, and are free of typos. At the same time, there are many pieces filled with common errors, such as unengaging content or poor delivery—issues that can only be spotted by rereading.
One thing I often remind myself is that if I can criticize my own writing when rereading it later, it means I’ve improved compared to the day before.