How to Tell If You Have Improved as a Writer

Have you just started out as a writer, or have you been writing for many years? Either way, writers will come across many roadblocks along the way, such as writer's block, rejection and harsh criticism. But many who stick with it, rather than give up, will improve over time and develop into the kind of writer they have always wanted to become. How can you tell if you have improved as a writer?

You Have Taken Constructive Criticism to Heart

No one wants to hear that their work is flawed, full of mistakes or that it is not what the client wants. But a good writer will develop a thick skin and take any constructive criticism that they are given to heart, using the advice to help them better meet the needs of their editor, publisher and target audience.

If you have noticed a change in attitude toward your work (not necessarily less criticism) then this shows you have already improved as a writer. Once you start to see where changes need to be made, it is only a matter of time before that is translated into action on paper, print or online.

Your Writing is Stronger

Strong writing comes through practice, fine tuning and even more practice. It does not develop overnight, but comes through diligence, hard work and persistence. If you look back to work you wrote when you first started out as a writer to your current style of writing, can you notice the differences in your work? If you are producing stronger, more engaging topics than you were ten years ago, then you have developed and improved as a writer.

You Have Found Your "Voice"

Developing a voice as a writer does not mean having a narrow focus with just a single niche. It means learning about the craft of writing, by taking in as much knowledge as you can through reading the work of others. Your writer's voice also involves finding a way of expressing yourself that is unique to you as a writer, just as a signature or a fingerprint is unique to each individual.

Once your audience has become familiar with your work, they should be able to easily hear your voice through multiple articles, books or poems, even if you write on a variety of topics.

Writers who persist in their craft will improve over time by taking constructive criticism to heart, writing stronger, more engaging content, and by finding their voice and staying true to it.