Today I elaborate about improving your Writing Skills. Most of us would go to great lengths in school to research material for essays and find suitable quotations to begin them with. (I personally remember Photostatting an entire book, which had great quotes given topic wise, so that I would never have to hunt for one again.) When was the last time we read anything that we did not need to?

In the course of our work we read letters, emails, reports, proposals, notices, meeting minutes and memos. Who says we don't read anything. We do. We read a whole lot of rubbish that we must know, but we don't read anything that we could relax with. We don't pick up a book of Robert Frost and decide to read a poem a day to rejuvenate ourselves. We just about have time to manage the cartoons in the newspaper!

So when there is no time to read what we would enjoy, where is the time to write anything? Again I suggest you leave aside the business communication that you are obliged to write and think when was the last time you wrote a note to a loved one? Remember those cards that we would fill out with personal wishes for a friend on his birthday in school? The poem we wrote for Ma on mother's day? You get my drift...don't you?!

So here's what you can do to connect with your creative side and improve your written communication.

Tip No # 1 - Maintain A Diary

The minute you start recording your thoughts in a diary you feel like using different words. You make an effort for it to be an interesting read. Especially if you plan to share it with some close people or feel like converting it to your memoirs later in life. It will help you get started writing regularly.

Tip No # 2 - Write A Paragraph

It can be on any earthly (or otherwise heavenly) topic that interests you. Be as eloquent as you can but restrict yourself to 300 words. Revise it as many times as you like till you are satisfied that it conveys what you want to. It will help you learn to be economical with your expression and put across just what you mean.

Tip No # 3 - Dialogues for Stories

We hear jokes or anecdotes all the time. Try and pick one interesting one and write it out in dialogue form. Sort of like a script for a skit. You can imagine enacting it out on stage. This will help you use colloquial words that help you express yourself better orally.

Tip No # 4 - Write to Your Friends and Family

Now be honest, when was the last time you wrote a good old fashioned letter and posted it by snail mail? Rediscover the magic of hand written letters and reconnect with your dear ones. It will also help you articulate emotions better.

Tip No # 5 - Write a Review

It can be for anything from a book you read, a restaurant you visited, a tourist place you went to with the family, anything at all. Grade the place in terms of how you enjoyed it and what all could help improve the experience. It will help you think up creative solutions bedsides improving your turn of phrase. You can also send it to a magazine to be published.

I guess that's all I have for now. Will keep giving new material soon enough. In the meanwhile get out those pens and start writing.

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