How to Expand Your Writing Skills ������

HELENA RAMADAN

MS, RDN

GUEST AUTHOR

As an aspiring blogger, I have started - and stopped - several different blogs� Each time, I learned more about who I am as a writer, who my intended audience is, and how I want to serve them� Although these attempts did not result in money in my pocket, they helped me find my voice, and they increased my confidence in putting my work out there� Here are some realistic strategies to use to help you come into your own as a writer�

ACTUALLY WRITE

If we want to get better at writing, we actually need to spend time doing it� Sounds obvious, right? However, in my life, making the time to write has proven to be one of those things that is simple but not easy�

What has worked for me is a tweak on the typical advice of setting a daily writing target� I choose a few days when I know I will have time to write, and then I set a Pomodoro timer and get to it� Real life being what it is, some days go really well and others don’t� But those days balance each other out and I eventually arrive at the finished product I was striving for�

TRY WRITING IN A DIFFERENT GENRE

This tip is a little different than the usual, but hear me out� Try writing something completely new and different, even fiction, poetry or just journaling� There is something magical about this, because it can

help move us out of our comfort zone

and into a more creative space�

I came by this strategy inadvertently when I started writing a children’s book for my son� I realized that, even though I am still writing, fiction requires something totally different from my brain� If I need a break from my blog, I work on the book� I can then return to my original work with fresh eyes and new ideas�

FIND YOUR COMMUNITY

It is easier to thrive when you are part of a supportive community� To that end, I recommend finding a writing group that suits you, whether virtual or in-person� The group members can help improve your craft by providing answers, advice or even moral support�

I have been a member of NE DPG since I became an RD, and during that time, I have found this group to be incredibly encouraging and supportive� If you are not doing so already, consider utilizing the resources of the NE community, from connecting with other writers on the NE Hub, to requesting a mentor, to exploring the Author’s Toolkit�

PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE

One way to practice writing while simultaneously building your resume and brand is to try freelance writing� This does not have to mean pitching to The New York Times; what I am referring to here is just volunteering to write something, anything, for someone who would benefit from your work and expertise�

As a dietitian, you are already qualified to do this type of writing, or to write for publications such as Ventures, Today’s Dietitian or Food & Nutrition Magazine� Another benefit of putting yourself out there this way is that it will give you a deadline, which can often do wonders for productivity�

If we want to get better at writing, we actually need to spend time doing it

KEEP AT IT

The beauty of writing is that it can provide us with more than just income� It can also allow us to reach, teach and heal a much wider audience than we would otherwise be able to� Wherever you may be on your writing journey, keep at it� The more that you write, the more you will learn about yourself and your craft�

Helena Ramadan, MS, RDN, is a mother of two spirited boys, an avid reader and a fitness enthusiast� A second-career dietitian, she also holds a B�A� in English from the University of Virginia� When she is not blogging you can find her exploring the redwood groves of Northern California with her sons�