5 Writing Tips for Illustrators
Odds are if you’re glancing at this post, then you are probably an artist and may be thinking:
Why do I have to learn how to write?
It doesn’t make sense to many why an artist would have to learn anything other than their craft. Is yours pottery? Watercolor? Oil Painting? or wood carving? Some claim it takes 10,000 to master any skill. That is a lot of time invested in becoming an artist. Every skill can potentially turn into a trade. For example, accountants quantify financial risk. Administrators facilitate organized progress. Writers reproduce information efficiently for a specified audience. And artists create visual experiences and messages. So, why do artists have to learn additional skills when it seems like most fields are focused? Unfortunately, artists also have to learn marketing and branding. Marketing involves learning how to present yourself. Branding is the visual identity and messages associated with your body of work. Some artists have gotten by with only creating video content, but most artists have to write, and even the artists who create video content have to write a story for their videos. No one can really get away with not learning how to write today.
Since that is the case, I’m going to give you 5 tips on how to make yourself look like a pro at writing. There are many common mistakes writers.
5 Tips for Writing
Limit Prepositions.
Prepositions are the devil. If you use them, he may come after you. Have you ever gotten lost in someones writing because of how long the sentences are? I had a professor who gave me the best advice in grad school EVER. Slash your prepositions. Not only are they not needed, but they make the main ideas in your sentences difficult to understand.
Keep it simple
Simple sentences are the key to marketing a clear and effective message. The most effective tagline and titles for blog posts only utilize 3-4 words.
Brush up on their, they’re, and there.
It’s great once a month to brush up on your grammar skills. Grab a quick guide and just browse a chapter. It’s not a riveting read, but it will ensure you don’t get rusty.
Stick with one style
Pick a format for everything you write and stick with it. If you’re going to use MLA or APA, make sure your articles all use this format. Readers will begin to expect a writing style and a format. I think a lot of writers forget this these days. I also see a lot of articles not using citations consistently. Grab a pocket guide like an MLA guide book to make sure you’re following a format.
Keep it professional
I read so many articles online every day. They aren’t credible sources of research material if they do not cite where their information is coming from. I think it’s extremely important to reference information you have found consistently (with the same style in every post) and accurately. If you’re going to reference something, please cite it in text and below the article in a references or works cited list. It shows the reader you not only look up more than one site for information, but you can also back up your arguments with valid information.
I went back to school to acquire an MA degree in English because I realized I needed to learn how to write effectively. It was a skill that meant a lot to me. Since then, I have used my writing skills at every job I have had. It’s a skill that can advance your career because every higher level management position requires the ability to communicate effectively.
If you cannot study English, and don’t have a lot of time to brush up on grammar, then I highly recommend the Grammar Girl: Quick and Dirty podcast by Mignon Fogarty. I’ve learned so much from her daily grammar bites. You can also subscribe to my newsletter as I post on topics for illustrators.