How to make your writing 1% better
6 strategies to oomph your writing skills consistently
The power of small improvements
Becoming a better writer doesn’t require a massive overhaul of your skills or endless hours of practice.
It only takes 1%.
Just like compound interest which can grow your savings exponentially, small daily improvements in your writing can lead to remarkable transformations over time.
The best part is, you can compound your writing skills by starting today.
Why focusing on 1% matters
We overestimate what we can achieve in a day and underestimate what we can accomplish in a year. Aiming for 1% improvement might feel insignificant at first, but imagine compounding that progress over weeks, months, and years. It’s the difference between feeling stuck and seeing steady growth.
Elite athletes or successful entrepreneurs don’t leap to greatness overnight. They improve incrementally, focusing on tiny changes that add up. Writing is no different. When you commit to small, daily actions, your craft evolves without the overwhelm of perfectionism.
6 strategies to improve your writing by 1% daily
1️⃣ Read with Purpose
Reading is a writer’s fuel, but the secret lies in how you read. Instead of passively consuming content, approach every piece with curiosity. Why does a particular sentence feel powerful? How does the author build suspense or evoke emotion? Annotate as you go, highlight phrases, underline impactful words, and take notes on what resonates.
Diversify your reading list. Explore genres or authors you wouldn’t typically choose. A science fiction novel might teach you about world-building, while a memoir reveals the art of personal storytelling. By stepping outside your comfort zone, you’ll absorb techniques and perspectives you can weave into your own writing.
Lastly, create a habit of applying what you read. If a metaphor strikes you, try crafting your own. If a story structure feels compelling, sketch it out for a project. Reading with purpose isn’t about imitation, it’s about learning to translate inspiration into action.
2️⃣ Practice writing short form
Even though I talk about in-depth writing resonating more than brief ones, you can sharpen your clarity by writing in fewer words.
Writing short is an art. It forces you to distill complex ideas into their essence without losing meaning. Start by summarizing something you know well, a movie, a book, or even your day, in a single sentence. Challenge yourself to capture the core while keeping it engaging.
This exercise sharpens your ability to prioritize what’s essential. To take it a step further, practice microfiction or write short notes containing big concepts. Confining yourself to a tight word count forces creativity. Each word carries weight, and over time, you’ll learn to make every sentence purposeful and precise.
3️⃣ Feedback loops
Feedback is the mirror every writer needs but often avoids. Sharing your work can feel vulnerable, but it’s the quickest way to identify blind spots. Start small, ask a trusted friend or join a writing group where constructive criticism is encouraged.
When receiving feedback, listen with an open mind. Resist the urge to defend your choices; instead, focus on understanding the perspective of your reader. They’re not critiquing you, they’re helping you refine your craft. Over time, you’ll notice recurring patterns in the feedback, guiding you to areas that need improvement.
Giving feedback is just as valuable as receiving it. When you analyze someone else’s work, you develop a critical eye that can be applied to your own writing. This exchange of ideas not only improves your skills but also fosters a supportive community.
4️⃣ Expand your vocabulary naturally
A rich vocabulary isn’t about throwing in fancy words, it’s about using the right ones. Instead of memorizing lists, let your vocabulary grow organically. When you encounter an unfamiliar word, don’t just look up its definition, explore its context and how it’s used in different sentences.
To make new words stick, try incorporating them into your writing or conversations. Use a word journal to track new discoveries, noting synonyms, antonyms, and examples. Over time, you’ll build a mental library of precise, vivid words to draw from effortlessly.
Remember, a powerful vocabulary enhances clarity and imagery. Instead of saying "very tired," you can say "exhausted." Instead of "happy," you might choose "ecstatic" or "elated." The more intentional your word choices, the more engaging your writing becomes.
My friend
take this to a new level with very special words and I continually learn new vocabularly from him, take for example:
5️⃣ Write outside your comfort zone
Staying within your comfort zone limits your growth. Pushing boundaries forces your brain to stretch, giving you new perspectives and skills.
If you’ve only written blogs, try poetry
If you’ve only written nonfiction, experiment with fiction
If you’ve only written articles, try a screenwriting script
Each new format challenges your creativity and broadens your skill set.
For example, writing poetry hones your ability to convey emotion and imagery in fewer words, while screenwriting teaches you to craft dialogue and action-driven narratives. These exercises force your brain to adapt, making you a more versatile and confident writer.
You don’t have to dive in all at once. Start small by mimicking the style of a writer or format you admire. Experiment with different tones, structures, or genres. The goal isn’t to master every style but to stretch your creative muscles and discover new facets of your talent.
6️⃣ Edit ruthlessly
Editing transforms your rough ideas into polished gems. The first draft is for expression, and editing is where clarity, structure, and rhythm emerge. Begin by reading your work aloud. Hearing the words helps you spot awkward phrasing, redundancies, or areas lacking flow.
Cut without mercy. Ask yourself if each word, sentence, or paragraph adds value. If it doesn’t, let it go. This doesn’t mean sacrificing your voice, it means eliminating anything that distracts from your message. Ruthless editing ensures every element of your piece serves a purpose.
Consider editing in layers. In the first pass, focus on big-picture elements like structure and content. On the second, refine sentence flow and word choice. Finally, polish grammar and punctuation. With practice, editing becomes a process of discovery, revealing the best version of your writing.
How to sustain the 1% growth
Consistency is your best friend in the 1% journey. Schedule daily writing sessions, even if they don’t get published. Don’t worry about creating masterpieces, focus on showing up. When you face setbacks, like writer’s block or a bad draft, remind yourself that even the smallest effort moves you forward.
Think of this process as planting a tree. You water it daily, and while you may not see growth immediately, its roots are strengthening. Over time, the results will be undeniable.
Have fun along the way
Whether it’s finishing a draft, mastering a new technique, or simply showing up consistently for a week, the reward comes from your experience in those things. The grind might feel boring while you are at it, but treat it as fun and view it as enriching.
This contributes to your growth by keeping motivation high and self-doubt low.
The journey to mastery
Make the intentional choice to improve daily, even by the smallest margin. By committing to the 1% rule, you’ll not only see growth in your craft but also build confidence in your ability to evolve.
Start today. Improve one sentence, one paragraph, one page. And watch how 1% turns into 2%, then 4%, then 8%… Master the art of writing, one step at a time.
Start your 1% betterment today.
Dare to fail so you can dare to win - Moon AricaExpand your comfort zone here, tell me your thoughts:
Try to tell a story in 3 sentences. Make it interesting and enticing.
Have you tried writing outside of your comfort zone?
Articles on writing:
Thanks for reading.
I am learning to edit ruthlessly, like a barbarian attacking a small village. Rip and tear! Question the validity of every silly idea I've got. The pile of sentences slain stacks up like Dexter's victims.
More fabulous advice. My favourite was the idea of editing in layers.