How to Become a Writer Using English if It's Your Second Language

If you are reading this article right now, that means you know English and you can speak it as well. If you want to become a writer, and English is your second language, you can do it by following these simple steps. Good luck.

Steps

  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Think about why you want to write in English.
    Perhaps you think English is more popular and there are more chances for your books to become a best seller, or perhaps you have problems writing in your first language. Whatever your reasons are, if you have made up your mind that you want to write your novels, books, facts, fictions or any article in the English language, then there is nothing to worry about because a language becomes yours if you fully master the language.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Examine your current skill by doing a simple test on the internet.
    Search on the Internet for English literacy tests and choose one which suits your style. If you are living in a country where people speak English, then you must have an idea how good your English is, so rate yourself, on a scale of one to ten, by judging your own skill in conversations and discussions. Once you have found out on which level your English stands, then find the root of your weaknesses in the language, such as grammar, spelling mistakes, vocabulary, and most of all, your style of writing. Writing mostly depends on your talent as a writer, and you can easily improve your mechanics.
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Make a list of things that you need to improve on.
    For example, if you need to improve your grammar, then work out the best way to improve it. If you don't have time to join a class in your area, or there is no course for your grammar needs, then purchase some good literature in English (both writing help and original literature).
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Read lots of books, newspapers, and articles in English.
    This will help you improve your writing, as well as help you learn the norms of English writing. Although reading other books will improve your writing style in English, bear in mind that you can't copy people's work (called plagiarism), but you can always learn from reading, and reading might inspire your writing as well.
  5. How.com.vn English: Step 5 Start writing your story using grammar and spell check on the computer.
    Also, read your work and be your own editor, work with patience, ask your English-speaking friends to read your story, and get their critiques in order to improve your writing.
  6. How.com.vn English: Step 6 Talk to native English speakers.
    This way you can learn how to write dialogue in your story.
  7. How.com.vn English: Step 7 Complete your work and decide if it is worth trying to publish.
    If it is, do not hesitate to send it to publishers. Do your best, but don't obsess about making it perfect before you send it, because the publishing company has professional editors to do that for you.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I do the speaking thing if I live in a country where native English speakers are rare?
    How.com.vn English: Mahmoud Abdi
    Mahmoud Abdi
    Community Answer
    Watch videos and try to find a native speaker. if you have an internet access, you can chat with a speaker whk lives in another country easily.
  • Question
    What if I'm not that good at English yet?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Read more books and watch some English movies or clips that use simple English. If you have a phone, laptop or a computer, download the app Dueling, which can help you improve with your English.
  • Question
    How do I write a research proposal on any topic?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Practice writing your English on paper. When you research use databases or trusted websites.
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      Tips

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      Warnings

      • Do not copy other writers in order to sound good in English.
      • Do not put yourself under too much pressure, it can be bad for your health.
      • Do not give up on writing if you get rejection letters, because most writers get rejected on the first attempt.
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      About this article

      How.com.vn is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 74,294 times.
      108 votes - 90%
      Co-authors: 15
      Updated: February 6, 2020
      Views: 74,294
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 74,294 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • How.com.vn English: Lucy Boscana

        Lucy Boscana

        Jan 4, 2017

        "English is my second language, and I struggle choosing what ideas are for writing in Spanish (my first language)..." more

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