How to Become a Better Writer (Without Spending Money)

For many beginner writers, the first struggle they need to overcome is actually writing something from beginning to end. But it’s not the only challenge an aspiring writer can face. Once writing a complete manuscript is no longer an issue, you soon find yourself faced with a different kind of question: how to improve as a writer, and ideally, without spending money on it?

Whether you’re writing as a hobby or attempting to publish your books for the whole world to see, somewhere deep down (or plainly on the surface), you want to be acknowledged, and for people to like your books. But to be acknowledged, you need to be good, and oftentimes (especially when you’re just starting out), you’re not. At least, not yet.

Luckily, good writers are rarely born—they’re made.

And luckier still, you don’t need to get a doctorate in literature to become one. In fact, there are many things you could do—absolutely for free—to improve as a writer:

1. Read like an editor

2. Ask for feedback

3. Utilize free resources

4. Write more

Let’s dive in.

Read Like an Editor

It’s a known fact that while not all readers are writers, all writers are readers. And while reading is often said to improve your vocabulary and fire up your imagination, there’s more to it than just getting lost in a story.

When you’re reading something you love, it’s easy to lose track of time, and while that’s a wonderful experience, it’s not the most effective way to improve your writing.

A famous person (whose name, sadly, I can’t remember) once said that every book should be read twice—and I believe that to be true. The first time you read for pleasure. The second time, you read to learn.

The idea is to slow down. Find the words that resonate with you. Notice the style—what makes this writer’s voice so compelling? Analyze scenes: what makes a conversation feel alive? Why does a certain moment tug at your heartstrings? Pay attention to the pacing and how major events are broken down and placed throughout the story.

Keep a notebook nearby when you read (I personally find that an old-fashioned notebook, especially for late-night reading in bed, works best) or take notes on your phone—whatever works best for you.

Read slowly and jot down your observations. Over time, you’ll build your own personal guidebook for your next novel or short story.

Ask for Feedback

If you’ve read Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (and if you haven’t, I highly recommend it), you might remember his approach to feedback.

Not every comment about your story means there’s something wrong that you need to fix. At the same time, ignoring all constructive criticism will keep you locked inside your personal echo chamber—and that will stall your growth as a writer.

So how do you know which feedback to accept and which to ignore?

According to Stephen King, the answer is to look for trends. The exact number of readers doesn’t really matter (though more is better), but whether multiple people point out the same thing.

So if Sally says the dialog between the two dragons in the forest drags on a bit too long, however, Kelly and Tammy don’t mention the dragon scene at all, but both agree that the part where the goblin emerges from the sewers wasn’t entirely clear—you tweak the sewers scene.

Everyone has opinions—and in writing, there’s rarely a single “right” answer. But when multiple people flag the same problem, it’s worth paying attention to.

Be particularly wary of feedback that relates to:

• Clarity (your readers need to understand what’s happening)

• Interest (if readers get bored, they won’t keep reading)

Get Free Tips

There are tons of great resources for writers online—many of them completely free. You don’t have to pay a dime to start learning how to sharpen your craft.

I’ve spent a lot of time on Writer’s Digest, reading articles like this one on building characters, or these two on writing better dialogue, and avoiding cliches.

And Writer’s Digest isn’t the only one. Sites like this one also offer fantastic advice from experienced writers, editors, and publishing professionals. If you’re willing to search, you’ll find plenty more.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Learn from people who already have the knowledge and experience you’re aiming for, and you’ll start noticing writing nuances you might have missed before.

Write like the Wind

Write often—and finish what you start.

It may sound obvious, but it needs to be said—plant yourself in your chair (or stand, if that’s your thing) and write. Even if it feels clumsy. Even if you don’t like what comes out.

Only through writing do you learn what flows and what falters, how to pace events, and how to tie up loose ends. Completing your work teaches you to resolve plots and reveals that you have more control over the elusive muse than you might think.

Writing forces you to choose words carefully, plan scenes thoughtfully, and revise sentences repeatedly until they feel just right. These are the experiences that build the skills to reach the level you aspire to.

Final Thoughts

We like to romanticize writing: call it a gift, pray to the muses, and basically, evade responsibility.

The reality may be more boring, but also more empowering—it’s a skill we can hone. And while some people might get a better starting point than others, writing is something we all need to work hard on to get better.

And the path to getting better as a writer is quite straightforward—you can focus only on:

1. Learning to read like an editor

2. Listening to constructive criticism

3. Using available free tools

4. Writing more

And you’re on the right path to write better (yes, that was on purpose).

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