What are effective ways to continue growing your writing skills after mentorship?

Consider creating a swipe file that contains content which stood out for you. Revisit it and break it down. For eg, a post’s hook may have stood out for you. Pick that hook and create something of your own and see if it’s works for you. In short, begin A/B testing!

No one can develop their technique and tone of voice overnight, that's where reading comes in. You read, analyze, critique, and form a general idea of what you can add that's new and unique. Alongside constantly writing, soon enough you'll be able to develop a voice of your own.

Reading blogs and articles on the internet is one of the best way to learn how to write. Once you start reading and putting those takeaways in practice, that's where you start a learning and writing journey. You don't have learn and then write. Do both side by side. It'll be amazing and wonderful!

As someone who has both been a writing mentee and mentor in multiple spaces, the most important thing to do is to keep writing and submitting that work to a person who is qualified to take your skills to the next level. Even after a year or two of working with someone, you should be looking at who you can work with next. You aren't going to continue to get better unless you have feedback from someone who sees what you can be instead of who you currently are as a writer (and usually as a human, too). Don't make the mistake of thinking you don't need outside help to continually develop your skills as a writer. And don't think you can recognize your own voice without help.

In my opinion, writing is something that is way beyond just a mentorship session. I believe that in the formative years, one should focus on learning the craft, be it by reading legendary writers’ work, watching thought-provoking screenplays, or attending insightful seminars, as it will not only add value to your life but will also expand your worldview. What truly differentiates an extraordinary writer from an ordinary one is their perspective - that doesn’t build overnight but with mindful reading, peculiar observations, and insightful conversations.

Keep writing. Never stop. Even if you’re writing your thoughts in a journal. Keep writing! Review your mentoring notes. Re-listen to your sessions if they were recorded. Find writing groups to join. Online or in real life. Immerse yourself with others who also embrace the art and joy of writing. The worst thing you can do is stop writing! If you see writing as your skill or gift, or even desire, keep writing. Don’t make a drama out of it!

One option to wisely practice your writing after mentorship is to review what you learnt and write reflection for each lesson or message that is impressive or helpful for you. When sharing about that, you can add your perspectives and your suggestions to make it better. Thanks to this, you will not miss or forget valued knowledge from your mentor and that maybe what others are looking for. This is one of the great meanings of writing - upgrade your writing skills and bring value to others.

Writing regularly and diversely is a potent strategy for honing your skills. Consistent writing cultivates discipline and confidence, enhancing your craft. Diverse writing experiences, spanning various topics and formats, stimulate creativity and broaden your perspective. Whether crafting fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or scripts, and adapting to different lengths and tones, you uncover your strengths and areas for improvement. Embrace this diversity to refine your style, explore new avenues, and connect with varied audiences, nurturing your growth as a versatile and skilled writer.

The saying "The more we learn, the more we grow" holds truth, yet true learning comes from applying knowledge. Simply learning without practice isn't complete learning. Consider mentorship programs for writing; they're valuable, but their worth lies in practicing what's taught across various topics. It's like planting seeds but not nurturing them to grow into trees. Without application, the essence of learning remains incomplete.

Reflection on what you have written is a very important tool. You can only improve if you understand where you have gone wrong or where you need to put more work in etc. It is okay if things don't go write the first time, that's why writers have many drafts no matter the purpose of their work.

To decide who to get feedback on can be difficult. It depends on your intended audience and purpose of your work. Peers and relatives can be useful tools. I always felt that as my mum was not an expert in my field, if she could not follow my point then no one could. She did not need to understand the whole context behind the piece to be able to identify where I had gone off on a tangent.

I started my career as an English to Persian translator at first. those days i didn't have much experience on translating and my work was mediocre. then one of my father's freinds started to give me some advice on my work and for that i will never stop thanking him. his feedback and revision of my work made me a very good translator and then i started to work for some print and web magazines.

Without getting feedback for your writing, you will be like stagnant water. Always listen to what your readers have to say. - Ask them why they love your writing. - Ask them what type of content they love readers. The more you get feedback, the more you can write content that aligns with your reader's expectations.

Absolutely, seeking feedback and revising your work is invaluable for growth. Feedback from peers, editors, or readers offers diverse perspectives, highlighting areas for improvement and providing valuable insights. Embrace constructive criticism to identify errors, gaps, and refine your writing. Remember, feedback is a catalyst for improvement; its true value lies in your willingness to act on it. Revising your work diligently sharpens your writing, clarifies your message, and refines your unique style, paving the way for continuous enhancement in your writing journey.

Would I say feedback is the bees knees, I don’t know. I am not averse to having someone rip into my work, however, I do caution on who looks at your work. I wouldn’t just pick anyone. Take into consideration what they read. For instance, if you are writing to magical realism, someone that reads fantasy a lot may be good choice. Yet, if you are writing like Haruki Murakami, but your peer is a Sarah Mass fan, he/she may not understand what they are looking at when they read your work. A reader needs to be just as experienced as the writer. Good night and good luck. Coyote Gunnyon, MFA, MA

To evolve as a writer beyond mentorship, maintain a disciplined writing routine. Explore diverse genres and formats, embracing challenges. Actively seek feedback from peers and editors, and diligently revise your work. Invest in learning new skills like grammar and storytelling, utilizing writing software and online resources. Stay updated with industry trends, adapting your techniques to engage modern audiences effectively. This ongoing commitment to growth ensures your writing remains dynamic and resonates with readers.

About a year ago, I downloaded and listened to Chuck Palahniuk’s book on writing called “Consider This.” It had been a while since I read or listened to a book on writing. His words are very concise and he gives a very straightforward philosophy on writing. Your writing is like a mixed drink he says, it should contain “three parts description. Two parts instruction. One part onomatopoeia. Mix to taste.” Reading his words in such a way made me rethink my own approach. So my suggestion to you is go out and buy a book on writing or listen to one. It is important to take the time to refresh our minds. Take a class on style. Buy a thesaurus. Keep up on what you are doing. It helps. Good night and good luck. Coyote Gunnyon,MFA ,MA

Don't be like a traditional writer, be a digital writer. A digital writer uses: - AI to ideate. - Tools for productive writing. Apart from these, learn additional skills. Spend an hour every day to improve your writing skills. "The more you learn, the more there is to learn!"

For me, I don't consider AI writers as tools, they're here to just help us get the research part done in reality. However, there's always a need to learn new skills even when it comes to AI: you need to understand how you can leverage it and what prompts work best. So what skills can you learn? -more vocabulary -new writing styles -SEO elements -using keyword research tools and more! There's always something new to learn.

Do writing exercises. I'm a mentor, and that's the most valuable thing I've been passing to my mentees: writing exercises to help them unlock things inside their brains. Also, writing prompts help us to get the engine running. And please, please, don't believe in the bullshit of "writer's block". That's a fancy name to say you're just lazy, and all you want is to go do something else. Start writing. Let the first 3/4 paragraphs come out as they are. As the rubbish they need to be. It's ok. You can throw that away later.

Networking is always key. You learn so much from other experts especially if you're new. My favorite networking spot is of course LinkedIn thanks to its broad opportunities. You can find the right specialist from the right location and with the right expertise.

Engaging with a writing community offers valuable insights and support. Through forums, events, or online platforms, connect with writers who share your interests. Communities provide motivation, inspiration, and a platform to learn from others' experiences. Actively participate, seeking advice and offering your expertise. Networking within these circles opens doors to collaborations, mentorships, and meaningful opportunities, enhancing your writing journey

Rigor and discipline in writing are essential to have quality content. As for creativity, it can come from our imagination, from our readings, our experiences, and exchanges with others. That's why it's important to always read, write, and exchange ideas through professional networks. It's the best way to continue to grow in writing.

Talk to people and learn from them! Reach out to a community and remember they are not entitled to reply to you. Everyone is fighting with their personal challenges. But yes! If you respectfully present your thoughts and request them for a self-development conversation, the community will speak back. Most importantly, ask the right questions and be very precise. :)

This truly depends on if you can work alone or if you depend on people. A lot of writers work alone and do just fine. Does a community help? Yes and no. You will have to seek one out that may share your common interest in writing, such as genre. Problems can occur in group that doesn’t share your common interest and they may end up sending you on a rabbit chase. Good night and good luck. Coyote Gunnyon,MFA,MA

Like any other skill worth mastering, writing requires deliberate practice. Most people think good writing just happens. You're either born a wordsmith or you're not. Although talent helps, the truth is anyone can learn to write well. That's why mentorships exist in the first place. Once we are ready to write on our own, we need to be very deliberate and disciplined about how we continue to hone our craft. That means practicing every day and consistently tracking our progress. Some writers set a minimum daily word count or page count. Others set aside a minimum number of hours each day. Personally, I have a one page per day minimum and a high performance planner where I track my progress and goals. That's just what works for me.

I find that it's better to write consistently every day, even if it's just for half an hour, rather than writing for hours once a week. Set time aside on your calendar and protect your writing time, just as you would a business meeting or trip to the hairdressers. Write in your car if you have to, just get that quality, uninterrupted time in at least five days a week. But don't stress over it, writing is meant to be enjoyable. There's no better feeling than getting lost in your creative world. It will come in time. Keep a sense of perspective and don't get overwhelmed. Write for yourself first, your readership will follow. Definitely set goals, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly. Adjust accordingly. The main thing is to keep writing!

The sun has a goal to show us light and the moon has a goal to show us love. Technology has a goal to elevate our civilization and you should have a goal to achieve as a versatile writer. Start with byte-size progress. I am doing this and I highly suggest keeping your objectives short. And along the path of gaining something, please enjoy the process. :)

The truth is that everyone writes. They've been writing through elementary school, secondary school or high school till wherever they stopped. They still write letters for official purposes, they still write on social media, on messaging apps to their friends. We've all been writing. If practice was what made perfect, why isn't everyone producing very elegant and articulate pieces? It's not the fact that you practice. It's the fact that you're actively and deliberately practicing, and that you know what you're trying to improve on at every point in time. That's what makes great writers.

Establish clear writing goals for yourself, whether it's improving your grammar, enhancing your storytelling skills, or expanding your portfolio. Regularly monitor your progress, reflecting on your achievements and identifying areas that require further attention. Setting goals and tracking your development will help you stay motivated and focused on your growth journey.

Familiarize yourself with writing software that can streamline your writing process. Whether it's word processors like Microsoft Word or specialized writing tools like Scrivener, understanding and using the right software can significantly boost your efficiency.

Keep working on yourself obviously! Before a writer, be a reader. Your words are simply thoughts manifested on a paper. And how do you get them? Yes, you got it right, by consuming right content. Gain as much knowledge as you can. Do it for yourself. Do not expect anything. But believe. And keep putting on those brainy muscles. Watch documentaries, read books, play games. And most of all, socialize. You cannot learn everything from somebody, but you can learn something from everybody.

After my mentorship refining advanced writing techniques, I initiated a self-project named 'Write-It-Simple.' This initiative aimed to simplify complex methods into easily digestible content, adhering to the Federal Plain Language Guidelines. I selected intricate concepts such as 'show, don't tell,' 'developing compelling characters,' and 'crafting engaging dialogue.' The approach involved breaking down these intricate techniques into clear, concise explanations using relatable language, examples, and everyday analogies. These were transformed into a series of short, user-friendly articles and infographics, ensuring accessibility while following the principles of plain language.

I love the quote of William Faulkner that says: "Don't be a writer, be writing". For me, that sums it all up. Writing is the most wonderful and powerful form of expression we have in our species. Love the work and do the work. Get it done. And then go do something else. Remember this: we are all going to die! So, make the best of every time you sit your ass to write something.

To continue growing your writing skills post-mentorship, immerse yourself in a variety of writing styles and genres. Read voraciously—books, articles, blogs, and research papers. Write regularly to maintain a disciplined practice, experimenting with different forms and voices. Seek feedback from peers and consider joining a writing group to stay accountable and gain diverse perspectives. Embrace revisions as a path to refinement. Additionally, leverage online courses and workshops to learn new techniques. Stay current with industry trends and publishing standards, and challenge yourself with writing prompts to expand your creativity. The key is consistency and a willingness to learn from every piece you write and read.