
It’s human nature to hide our weaknesses from others, but the hard truth is that if we try to cover up our flaws in writing, it will keep us from success.
I know those are hard words to hear. None of us like to be judged, and we all know that our writing can be improved. But here’s the thing: writing weaknesses are normal. We all have them, no matter where we are at in our journey. But it’s okay because there is no finish line, no point we reach where we’re “good enough.” No matter how adept we become at writing, there will always be room to grow. And that, my friends, is a wonderful thing!
So, how can you grow and become an even better writer than you are now?
Attitude
All writers share a common epiphany on the writing path. I call it Staring Into The Abyss. This experience happens when our writing has strengthened to the point where blissful ignorance rubs away and we begin to realize just how much we don’t know.
It’s a dark moment, a bleak moment. We feel shock. Frustration. Despair. Some stop right there on the path, their writing spirits broken. Others take a micro-step forward, progressing toward the most important stages leading to growth: acceptance and determination.
Once we come to terms with what we don’t know, we can set out to learn it. Taking on the attitude of a Learner is what separates an amateur from a PRO.
Asking for help

Writers can strengthen their skills on their own, but it’s a lot of hard work. Reaching out to other writers will shorten the learning curve considerably. Critique partners can help identify your weak areas and offer strategies to improve. They also will know of resources that might help.
There are MANY great sites where you can find a critique partner or two. I highly recommend The Critique Circle (free & safe to post work, and where Becca and I met!)
The no-brainer: Read
No matter what areas need to be worked on, books can help. Find inspiration through your favorite fiction authors and writing ‘how-to’ books (here’s a great list to start with). Pick up a few and take notes.
If you can, pair up with another writer to read the same book and then discuss it. Learning together gives you a better chance to fully understand any topic. Becca and I did this for an entire year, and our understanding of writing craft soared. It was time well spent.
Resources, resources, resources
There are thousands of articles on writing that can teach strong writing techniques. Plotting, Story Structure, Voice, Description, Showing vs Telling, Style, Dialogue, Characters…whatever areas you want to develop, there is content to help you.
If you would like to see what we have, go here and look for this section:

The trick is finding the best nuggets of information without wasting your whole day online. This Search Engine for Writers is a good choice, too. Pay attention to great article round-ups like Maureen Crisp’s excellent one.
Think outside the monitor
Many of us are introverts, and it’s easy to get caught up on the keyboard and screen. There’s nothing wrong with this unless your rectangular life preserver is holding you back. writing groups, conferences, workshops, and retreats are all excellent opportunities to hone writing skills and meet mentors. Writing events need not be expensive–get involved in a local writing group and see what events have a low or no cost for members.
When you’re looking for opportunities to learn, don’t forget the movies. So much can be gleaned by watching films to see what makes them work. Some of our biggest epiphanies as writers will come from studying screenwriting. I highly recommend reading Save the Cat & Writing Screenplays that Sell (affiliate links). These books are pure gold. Trust me, your writing will thank you!
Write and rewrite
Transforming writing weaknesses into strengths will take time. Choose learning strategies that work best for you, and never stop writing. Each step of the way, apply newfound knowledge to the page. We learn most of all by doing, so always make time to write.
Chances are, you have more than one area where you can grow as a writer. If you feel overwhelmed, take it one facet at a time. Hone your skills in one area, then shift your focus to the next thing you want to start to master. Remember, this isn’t a race. Bit by bit, you will elevate your writing and feel proud of how far you have come.
Happy Writing!
Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.
I love your words about reaching the point where we realise just how much we don’t know: “It’s a dark moment, a bleak moment. We feel shock. Frustration. Despair”.
Oh ain’t that the truth!
Thank you for this article, much appreciated.
Very glad it struck a chord, Lisa! This is definitely one area all writers hit sooner or later, and it can be easy to lose hope. Support is so important!
I love this article! It’s something we all need to keep in mind when it comes to writing and this is fantastic: Once we come to terms with what we don’t know, we can set out to learn. Taking on the attitude of a Learner is what separates an amateur from a PRO.
Anisa
Thanks Ansia! I think most writers are natural learners, but it is the epiphany that learning will never stop that they also need to embrace. We tend to get hung up on the concept of being “good enough” but the reality is there is always more to absorb. 🙂
Really resonated with this post, and had a moment exactly as you describe. Sent my crappy first draft off to a friend of a friend who is an editor. I received a very detailed critique of first two chapters and realised I had much more to learn. I have the imagination and all the other skills I need to work on. So I am taking an online editing course and enjoying every minute of it. Each stage I come to, I educate myself as much as I can. It is a very slow process but I would rather share something in the end that is truly the best of me. Thanks, bookmarked this one for every time I need a remind myself if I can’t do something I can always take another course.
Kath, you have a great learner’s attitude, and can’t help but succeed when you apply yourself like this! Becoming a strong writer does take time and a lot of work. And there is always more to learn, but I think that is part of the fun when you love words like we writers do. 🙂
Hi, thank you so much for the links. I will check out the Critique site and the writers’s search engine. I need as much help as I can get!
Laura
writer’s search engine, sorry for the spelling error…
Laura, hope you find some great resources here. I love Critique Circle…it is a great site run by wonderful people. 🙂
All wonderful points to keep in mind, for sure, Angela 😀
Thanks Donna!
Wonderful advice as usual!!
Thanks track!
Love this. Thank you. And YAY for Save the Cat!!
Thank you so much for this post. It came at an important time for me. I read something yesterday written by a writer I admire and could see how amateurish my writing was. I felt like I would never come close to being able to write like a pro- and cried for hours feeling like giving up. The book I am trying to write is about love, family, and not being alone. It is important to me on many levels so to give up would have broken my heart. Thank you for putting me back on the right track – and for reminding me how much help there is out there and what a warm and sharing “family” the writing community is.
Judi
Oh wow, there’s so much great information here I can barely wrap my brain around a fraction of it. Thanks!
This post has great ideas and writing resources!
Thank you so much.