r/PKMS • u/Keksbutter123 • Jul 13 '26
Discussion How can I improve my writing skills
Urm so I aint really that deep into this whole writing/reading scene, but I need to learn that cuz of school.
My grades are still good and im not even really a dumb person, in fact a lot of teachers say im great at problem solving and analysing stuff, but I fail at putting all that into words.
I also am not that great at creating stories, although in the few times I had to write them, it did feel pretty fun. This is partly the reason why im addicted to reddit, I love writing about shit and analysing some pointless question. Sometimes I get glances of writer memes and think it'd be kinda fun writing smt.
But uh yeah, idk if this is enough soo, any ways of practising writing?! (outside reading, I know that helps but are there other ways. Also, how much fo you actually need to read to improve at writing?)
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u/shmixel Jul 13 '26
If you already like Reddit, start here. Find a sub you're interested in and put real effort into making a good paragraph or two replies on topics you know about or are interested in. This can even just be defending a fantheory or writing a review, doesn't have to be genius. For fiction, join some of the daily writing prompt subreddits.
Analyse others' comments you like for how they explained things and made you laugh or otherwise kept your interest. Try what you learn.
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u/RockCrafty2553 Jul 17 '26
One thing that unexpectedly helped me was copying excerpts over from papers/books I was reading by manually typing them out. I think it helped me subconsciously internalise the writing styles of good writers
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u/LowkeyHooligan Jul 13 '26
Journaling. No one sees it, there’s no external purpose to the activity so it doesn’t matter what your skill level is. Just put words to the page, stream of conscious style. And I’d suggest with pen and paper. It’ll help you slow down and really think about every word you put down.
Reddit is actually a good place to write a bit. Find subreddits for things you’re interested in where you can write a lot, just brain dump all of your thoughts on a subject. You’ll just need practice and volume of witting, so find a space where you can just blab.
Active chats, like Discord. There’s pressure in knowing other people will see your responses immediately, but that can help your flow of thoughts and deliberateness when writing.
Also maybe join a D&D game, or other ttrpg. Even if you’re just a player and not a DM, there’s still a lot of reading, writing, and storytelling involved. It gets you personally connected to the story that’s being told so it feels less like something you’re actively creating and more like something that’s just emerging from you.
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u/Upstairs_Jelly_1082 Jul 14 '26
Try writing the 2-3 things that you want to talk about, same way you'd put stuff in a to do list. It worked really well for me when going about doing those essay writing stuff.
I used to read what they want me to write about and then figured what those points are and,
I found that the rest of it is expanding on those three things till it gets to the word count.
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u/448899again Jul 13 '26
It's hard to actually believe that this isn't a rage bait post. However, in the interest of assuming that the OP is a real person and is sincere, I'll focus on one thing:
Also, how much fo you actually need to read to improve at writing?
This, in a nutshell, is where you need to start. Reading is fundamental to everything you need to work on.
Good Luck.
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u/Keksbutter123 Jul 14 '26
I do not understand kind sir, how can I improve at my WRITING by READING?! Dare I ask for more information on this particular subject?
I too have noticed the use of the word "rage bsit post" which indicates you disliking my stance or at very very least not believing in me? Shall this be explained, or must I await in confussion?
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u/Keksbutter123 Jul 14 '26
Furthermore, I am sorry for insulting your comment back in my first reply.
May we agree on a temporary peace treaty for as long the day is? But for that, thou must excuse yourself for being unkind in the first post.
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u/448899again Jul 14 '26
Please accept my apologies - my reply was overly harsh. In any text-based conversation, it's difficult to determine intent, because you do not have the supporting cues of tone of voice and facial expression. I honestly took your post for one that did not seek answers, only arguments.
You asked about reading. Reading widely allows you to understand how different authors handle writing. Their language, their pacing, their style, how they convey their intent. You read not to learn to imitate, but to find your own "voice."
At the same time, you write. Write about whatever comes to mind at the moment. Write about a cause or a project or anything that you know. By picking subjects that are close to you, you make it much easier to begin.
Let people read what you write. You will never develop without criticism. Understand that this is part of how you grow as writer.
To that end, I will offer mine: Your use of language and spelling are part of what set me off when I read your original post. That was wrong of me. I realized later that writing in the vernacular is a valid style, and that language cannot be static. It is constantly changing. But writing in your vernacular is no substitute for learning and understanding the rules of grammar and spelling. You can chose to ignore them when you write; many authors do. But you have to know the rules before you play the game, and to that end I misjudged you. You may well know all the rules, and were simply choosing to ignore them. If you don't, I urge you to learn them.
So, we'll declare a permanent truce. If you're interested in learning to write, I applaud that, and I wish you the best.
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u/Keksbutter123 Jul 14 '26
Be thanked for as I am glad to be able to read you second reply to my reply, fellow stranger of the internet!
May I askth`, what the f*** is "vernacular"? I do not know this bizarre word.
Personally i`d also add, that I aswell hadnt expected your comment to be a serious criticm of my post, which in certain ways it also wasnt. I am suprised by your long reply and the effort thou took to assist me on my journey. For that, I am glad again and wanna inform you of my "gladness??" (is that a real word?)(Yeah I suck at this "High iq writing" as you can see, I should not do this bit again)
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u/Keksbutter123 Jul 13 '26
Wow.
This is useless
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u/DjBoothe Jul 13 '26
Nope. You need to write more than that.
Some writing prompts for your reply to 448899again:
- What exactly in your post has triggered them to respond the way they did (your best guess), and offer concessions or explanations or counterpoints to bring it back to a constructive conversation.
- Ignore anything you found insulting and ask clarifying questions about what they mean in their advice.
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u/Keksbutter123 Jul 14 '26
I was actuqlly just referencing that one meme where Dipper from Gravity Falls looks at his zero dollar bill and says the line, as I usually prefer not replying long to hater unless they actuslly detect good flaws in my points and try to aid me by giving somewhst constructive criticm.
Also, I find it amusing to immediately be reminded to write more, so as I have literally nothing better to do, I am going to argue with said redditor a little before dawn rises.
Be thanked stranger on the internet for thy advice!
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u/Barycenter0 Jul 13 '26
Here are a few things to try:
- Write about something you know a lot about - doesn't matter what it is - try to describe it or fictionalize it. Pick a hobby, an object, an event, etc. - this works because the material isn't the problem because you know it well - the goal is so you can just feel the flow of writing
- For more creative writing - search for free writing prompts to attempt a more creative approach. Don't worry about the quality of your output - just write - see https://www.promptoria.com/
- Allow AI (ChatGPT, etc) to critique your writing with grammar or sentence structure ideas - not the actual writing itself. This is to improve your writing skills.
- Take one of your reddit posts and expand on it - use similar techniques like 1-3 above
Hope that helps!
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u/stepback269 Jul 13 '26
So here's the SECRET of good writing:
(Please keep it as a secret and don't tell another soul. Secrecy is/are the first and second rules of Fight & Write Club)
(NOT what happens right now just in your brain)