Mastering Writing by Learning from the Pros: My Journey
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Chapter 1: The Quest for Writing Mastery
Many people reach out to me through Topmate and similar platforms with a straightforward inquiry: How can I become a better writer? My response is simple: learn from your favorite authors. But then, they often ask, how exactly? In this post, I’ll share the steps, examples, and strategies that have worked for me.
To be transparent, I've spent over three years honing my writing skills and have generated a six-figure income from it. This isn't just boasting; I aim to illustrate that with the right approach, writing can be quite lucrative. Interestingly, I despised writing in school and never produced even a single paragraph for a school project. It wasn't until I began studying engineering that I discovered my passion for blogging about technology.
As I delved deeper into writing, I recognized the need to elevate my skills to truly profit from my efforts. I began following several prominent writers to gather insights and advice. However, many of them were more interested in selling expensive courses than genuinely helping aspiring writers.
Instead of investing in those costly programs, I chose to learn from established writers who produce content consistently. The saying goes, "To become a great writer, you must learn from the greats," and that’s precisely what I did. I focused on talented authors whose styles, subjects, and tones aligned with my writing objectives.
Once I curated my list of inspirational writers—like Sahil Bloom, Akshat Shrivastava, Tim Denning, Codie Sanchez, and Jon Brosio—I became intensely dedicated to studying their work. I subscribed to their channels, eagerly read every new post, and dissected their writing to understand their techniques.
While I didn't replicate their work—since plagiarism is unacceptable—I absorbed their strategies. I observed how they organized their pieces, the language they employed, and the tones they adopted. This deep dive into their work was essentially a free masterclass on improving my writing.
Reflecting on this experience, I realize that following these exceptional writers was one of the best choices I made in my writing journey.
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Chapter 2: The Value of Quality Newsletters
I must confess, I used to despise signing up for newsletters. Why? Because many of them just regurgitated the same unhelpful content repeatedly, making them a complete waste of time. However, I eventually stumbled upon a few exceptional newsletters that changed my perspective.
For example, Milk Road publishes daily articles about cryptocurrency. Although I don’t write in that niche, I admire their writing style. Another favorite is "The Rundown AI," which keeps me updated on the latest AI news and advancements. To clarify, this isn’t a sponsored endorsement; I genuinely appreciate their informative and well-crafted content.
What Lies Ahead?
The path to becoming a proficient writer demands consistent effort, a willingness to learn, and a desire to grow. While there’s no definitive route to success, I’ve gained tremendous insights by observing writers who embody the qualities I aspire to achieve.
Rather than falling for marketing hype surrounding expensive courses, I’ve devoted my time to studying respected writers like Sahil Bloom and Tim Denning. By examining their sentence structures and stylistic choices, I’ve deconstructed what makes their writing so engaging.
For instance, Bloom excels at using impactful phrases and offering unconventional productivity tips that capture readers' attention. Shrivastava skillfully intertwines personal anecdotes with his insights, making his ideas accessible and relatable.
However, simply observing great writers is just the beginning. Real growth occurs when you apply what you’ve learned to your writing practice. That's why I’ve committed to writing every day, regardless of my inspiration levels. Relying on perfect conditions for creativity leads to stagnation.
I hope you find this journey enlightening. Thank you for your time, and don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack for exciting content on AI, tech, money management, and side-hustle strategies. Your adventure awaits!
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