Whether you are a full-time writer or a hobby writer, there is always room for improvement. Even legendary writers have had their works rejected.

There are three things you need to do to become a better sportsman or sportswoman — practice, practice, and practice. But when it comes to writing, things are a bit trickier. While practicing is critical, it is not enough. You need to do more if you wish to become an accomplished writer. Here is what to do if you want to take your writing to the next level:

Read Voraciously

If you do not like reading, here is some bad news for you: you may never become a best-selling or award-winning author. Ask any successful author. Stephen King reads, and he advises people interested in the craft to read.

Read widely. Do not just read one type of content. Read journalistic pieces, poetry, and the classics. Becoming familiar with new styles and subjects exposes you to different writing techniques. You might get inspired to become the best version of your writing self.

Decide to read something new every day. Slowly but surely, you will begin to see your writing improve.

Use Writing Manuals

Manuals help us operate things like phones, television sets, and microwave ovens. They can help you improve your writing skills. Reading writing-related books is an integral part of a professional writer’s journey to success.

You may want to read, “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B White. You may also benefit tremendously from Stephen King’s “On Writing.” Reading these works is like getting guidance from people who have successfully done what you want to do.

Pay for an Online Course

You can teach yourself almost anything you want on the Internet. But getting expert explanations on important concepts has its benefits. Maybe you are busy building a career and would find it hard to attend classes physically. You are not alone, and your situation should not keep you from benefiting from the knowledge of others.

There are many effective and affordable online courses on writing. If you want to better your writing skills, consider spending some money on training. Training helps you learn things and tricks you would have taken forever to master on your own.

Hire a Tutor

You can find English tutors, schools, and classes online through several outlets. Typically, tutors offer their services online through video conferencing software. Each tutor is a specialist in a specific subject and teaches lessons related to his or her area of expertise. You may want to read through a potential tutor’s advertisement to find out the software they use.

Write Every Day

Practice makes perfect. Writing is in some way like physical exercise. It is difficult at the beginning but gets more comfortable with time.

Everyone’s typical day is different. Some people have a lot of free time to hone their writing skills. Others may not spare more than an hour. No matter how tight your schedule is, try to practice writing for at least 30 minutes every day.

Some writers write best late at night when everyone else is sleeping. Others choose to write early in the morning. The idea is to come up with a schedule and commit yourself to it. Write when you feel like it and even when you sense resistance inside of you.

Gather Feedback

You need to have someone else examine your work. You cannot objectively determine how good your writing is. That is the reason even seasoned writers work with editors.

Have other people look at your work. Attend events where you can meet other writers. Join offline and online writing groups. You will get opportunities to receive honest feedback.

You can also consider asking your family and friends to read your draft and give feedback. But the problem here is that they may not want to hurt your feelings. Now, this may sound unkind, but your spouse’s and best friend’s feedback may not always be helpful.

Becoming an excellent writer is difficult. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Most successful writers read diligently. They use manuals. They connect with and get feedback from fellow writers. And they are willing to spend some money on training.