Four simple ways to improve your writing – immediately!

In this regular slot of writing tips for Christian books for children/teens, I have focussed on the content . . . today I am covering slightly different but no less important ground.

These four simple tips really can improve your writing. Taking a few minutes to prepare yourself before you sit down to write can improve your creativity and your output no end!

1. Exercise. Even just a few minutes of aerobic activity before you start writing can make your brain sharper, helping you to concentrate and come up with creative ideas. Fifteen to twenty minutes of exercise is ideal. You don’t have to go to the gym – a brisk walk around the block is fine.
2. Have a healthy meal or snack. Sharpen your mental focus with some good brain foods: wholegrain cereals, fruit, veg, salad, nuts and seeds, fish, lean meat, beans and pulses. Avoid fatty and sugary foods when you want to write, as these can make you sluggish. A square of dark chocolate can do wonders if you are craving something sweet – I always keep some in the kitchen cupboard!
3. Have a glass or two of water. It is a well known fact that dehydration can cause fatigue. Drinking plenty of water can help you think faster and clearer. Tap water is fine, but if you really don’t like the taste, try it with a squeeze of lemon juice, or try fruit/herbal teas. My favourite is peppermint!
4. Take a few minutes to pray. Let’s be honest, how often do we forget to pray until we’re stuck? But if we are writing to encourage and inspire children and teens in their faith, prayer is essential. After all, the God to whom we pray is the one who may use our stories to touch hearts and lives. That’s an awesome responsibility. Dare we write and not pray?

So there you go, four simple things you can do straight away to improve your writing!

Please leave your comments below, and if you have any tips for healthy snacks, please share them with us! It’s wonderful to be able to encourage each other. 🙂

Oh, and if you are feeling sluggish during your writing and need a break, do a mini version of all these four things again. Move around, jog on the spot, have a glass of water and a piece of fruit, then stop to pray. You’ll be amazed what a difference it makes.

I hope you have found this tip helpful! If you have, please tweet to your followers and share with your facebook friends – let’s work together to build each other up!

Kindest regards,

Janet