Improving writing skills

[Shotgun Rider]

Can anyone recommend any books on how to improve writing skills. I feel that my grammar and spelling is ok but I'm struggling to get what's in my head out on paper. It doesn't help that more often than not I struggle to get what is in my mind out of my mouth!

[jas xjr]

Rather than looking for a book to teach you the skills you might need , just read more .
I have noticed amongst people I know that people who read less can sometimes struggle

[Shotgun Rider]

jas xjr said:

Rather than looking for a book to teach you the skills you might need , just read more .
I have noticed amongst people I know that people who read less can sometimes struggle

I read a fair amount as it is.

[randlemarcus]

So use that reading to try and identify a style that suits the way you think, and then steal it. Write down what you like about the style, and how it is used to construct sentences, and impart meaning.

Then practice - write things about random subjects, and put them away for a while. When you go back to them, a week or so later, use the analysis to see what worked and what didn't.

As for getting things out of your head, onto paper, try using an interim step - use mindmapping or doodles and diagrams to get the thoughts out, then translate those into words.

[dojo]

It also depends what you read.

Get a word of the day app and each day try to incorporate it into a conversation.

Getting your You're and Your, weather and whether, practise and practice etc correct when writing does make a positive impression IMO.

[davepoth]

dojo said:

Getting your You're and Your, weather and whether, practise and practice etc correct when writing does make a positive impression IMO.

Stupid though it may sound, arguing on the internet helps me a lot, certainly in terms of being able to frame thoughts as concise statements. Do it on PH (especially in NP&E) and you'll get pulled up for grammar and spelling mistakes in an utterly merciless fashion.