Reply #5: Practice. [View All]

[XOEnterprises]

You'll naturally fall into a better cadence of language if you work at it every day. When I take forced breaks from writing (as in, I'm writing too many damn papers for class), I feel off when I try to start working creatively again. I sound like a bloody textbook for at least a week.

Also, don't try to emulate another writer completely. Recognize their talent, but don't copy them. If it helps, don't read immediately before writing; I tend to pick up another author's voice if I do that. You have to find your own mode of expression, and sometimes that can be difficult when you have someone else's tone in your head.

I love the suggestion about reading bad writing when you feel down on yourself. It sounds mean, but when I feel like I'm never getting anywhere, I end up reading something and thinking, "...Okay, so I'm doing all right."