Overcoming Writing Barriers: Tips for Aspiring Authors
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Identifying Writing Challenges
Over time, I've pinpointed three significant obstacles that hinder my writing. Thankfully, I've discovered some effective solutions that could also benefit you. Initially, I had one solution but needed to extract it from the academic context where it had been stored away. The other two require a long-term commitment to changing habits and mindsets.
The Struggle of Being a Non-Native English Speaker
Belgium, my home country, is multilingual, boasting three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Being from the southern region, my first language is French. I've never learned German, and my Dutch skills are not impressive—just ask my boss. Instead, I've always been drawn to Eastern languages, such as Japanese in my youth, Chinese during university, and recently, Arabic.
Before my university journey began, I often found excuses to skip English classes. However, it quickly became evident that mastering Shakespeare's language was vital for academic success. I'm thankful for the numerous English texts I had to analyze, as they significantly improved my language skills beyond what I had anticipated.
Now, I can communicate in several languages, even if my speaking and writing aren't flawless. Consequently, I rely on various tips and tools to ensure my writing is comprehensible. Here are three of my go-to resources:
- Grammarly: This excellent free tool provides insight into how your writing might be perceived. As a non-native speaker, it's challenging to predict how your text will resonate with those more fluent. Grammarly offers feedback on correctness, clarity, engagement, and an overall score for your piece.
- Thesaurus: I like to think of this as my treasure trove of vocabulary! I often find myself at a loss for words or repeating phrases. By using this resource, I expand my vocabulary with each visit.
- Hemingway Editor: My latest find! Similar to Grammarly, it also assigns a grade and evaluates the quality of your writing.
Confronting the Fear of Judgment
This fear can lead to writer's block and affect my day-to-day life. I hesitated to publish, particularly in English, due to the anxiety of being judged. I admire many writers in both French and English, but I believed I could never match their skill. As it turns out, I was right in that regard!
The reason? Their styles are distinctly their own, just as mine is unique. My humor, perspective, and expression of ideas are what set me apart. The key lies in inspiration; while I will always look up to those authors, I no longer seek to imitate them. Instead, I aim to draw inspiration from their work.
Ultimately, I've accepted that judgment is inevitable. I've categorized my judges into two groups:
- Malevolent Judges: These individuals criticize without a desire to help. They merely want to discourage you from improving. Their opinions no longer hold weight for me.
- Benevolent Judges: These critics offer constructive feedback. They genuinely want to see you grow. For them, I strive to put forth my best effort.
If you have any additional resources to recommend, please feel free to share! Learning is a collaborative journey.
Thank you for taking the time to read! ;-)
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