Adapted from a chapter of my upcoming book with Ella Ritchie of Stellar Communications (Houston): Write. Publish. Sell.: The 3-Part Blueprint for Getting Your Book into the World (working title)
Writing a book is an act of courage.
But if you want that courage to result in a book that actually works – a book that moves your readers, earns their trust, or helps them solve a problem – then you have to do something even braver:
- Invite critique.
- Cut what doesn’t work.
This is true whether you’re writing prescriptive nonfiction, a memoir, or even fiction. The sooner you learn to embrace feedback and revision, the stronger your writing will become.
Let’s talk about what it really means to level up your writing and what you need to let go of along the way.
Your Editor Can Only Do So Much
Imagine handing a trained chef a pot of stew you made without a recipe. She might be able to salvage it (add some salt, chop the vegetables a bit more finely, adjust the seasoning), but no one can turn a lumpy mess into a five-star meal.
The same is true for editors. Even the best among us can only work with what we’re given. A good editor can take fair writing and make it good, but she probably can’t make mediocre writing great unless the author has done some serious prep work.
That means you, the writer, need to practice your craft before you ever hit “send” on a draft.
You don’t need to be perfect. You do, however, need to be intentional.
What does that mean?
You Write Like You Read
One of the best ways to improve your writing is to read excellent writing. Just as we learn to speak by mimicking the voices around us, we learn to write by absorbing the rhythms, pacing, and tone of the books we love.
Jack London reportedly spent hours copying passages from Rudyard Kipling by hand to internalize his structure and language.
You don’t have to go that far (though it couldn’t hurt), but you should read authors whose style you admire. Then, read a little slower. What makes their writing work? Is it their tone? Their clarity? Their pacing?
That’s step one.
Step two? Start writing… then actually let people read it.
Why Critique Matters (Even When It Stings)
Here’s the thing about writing in a vacuum: you get really good at hearing your own voice… but not how it lands with a reader.
That’s where critique comes in. Whether you’re sharing a post on social media, workshopping a chapter in a writing group, or submitting to a contest, feedback is how you grow.
You won’t love every comment. Sometimes you’ll get vague praise, weird opinions, or even unkind remarks.
But buried in all of that is insight you need: what’s working? What’s confusing? What’s missing?
Over time, you’ll learn to separate:
- Helpful critique from harmful opinions
- What’s truly “off” vs. what’s just a matter of taste
- What needs revising vs. what needs deleting
“Kill Your Darlings” and Don’t Look Back
Stephen King famously said, “Kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart.”
What does that mean?
It means you’ll write passages you love (clever turns of phrase, personal anecdotes, elegant metaphors)… only to discover they don’t belong in your book.
It’s hard. But when you learn to cut what doesn’t serve the structure, tone, or message of your book, your writing becomes cleaner, clearer, and more powerful.
This is where good feedback becomes crucial. You might not see that your favorite part of the story derails the flow or confuses the reader, but someone else will.
And if multiple readers agree?
Cut it. Save it for another book, a blog post, or your journal – but let it go for this work.
Understand the Rules Before You Break Them
We’re not saying every piece of feedback is gospel. In fact, some of it won’t make sense. But rules matter.
If you’re going to ignore advice or bend the rules, do it because you understand them, not because you never learned them in the first place.
Think of Picasso. Before he created cubism, he mastered realism. He didn’t start by painting abstract figures; he worked his way there with skill and intention.
Want to break writing “rules”? Great! But make sure you know what your audience expects first. That way, if you want to subvert something, you can do so with confidence.
Bottom Line
Improving your writing takes work and courage.
- Read authors you admire. Let their voices shape yours.
- Share your work. Even if it’s scary.
- Welcome critique with curiosity.
- Cut what doesn’t serve the story.
- Learn the rules of writing and your genre before you bend them.
If you do these things consistently, your writing will improve. Even better, so will your book’s chances of reaching the readers who need it most.
P.S. Want help getting started?
- Join a writing group (local, online, or genre-specific)
- Try publishing on Substack or your blog
- Enter a contest and read the winning entries
- Pick a favorite book, copy a passage by hand, and then write your own in the same style
And stay tuned for Write. Publish. Sell., coming soon!
Need support with your own book?
Whether you want to write it yourself with a coach by your side or partner with a ghostwriter who can bring your ideas to life, I’m here to help.
I specialize in working with coaches, counselors, memoirists, and ESL speakers, people who have meaningful stories and powerful expertise but aren’t sure how to turn that into a book.
Let’s make your message readable, relatable, and ready to publish.
Reach out to learn more about my ghostwriting and writing coaching services, or simply book a free consultation.