Diversify Your Writing

Writers are often advised to stick with what they do best. In other words, if your strength is writing nonfiction, then play to that strength. There is wisdom in this advice. If you discover your niche in writing and hone your skills in that area, you multiply your chances for success. However, there is something to be said for diversifying your efforts and branching out into unfamiliar territory. For instance, if your strength is nonfiction, you may want to try writing fiction or poetry and vice versa. Many of the skills you have honed in one area of the writing craft are transferable to other areas of writing. For instance, pacing and climax that are used to create tension in fiction can also be utilized by nonfiction writers to create that same level of reader involvement. Rhythm and meter that are used in poetry to create flow and transition can also be used to create fluid prose. Trying different creative pursuits broadens your skills as a writer and opens up more opportunities for you because you are perceived as more valuable to readers and editors. This makes you more competitive in the challenging world of publishing because a diversified writer is relevant to a wider audience. So, while it is good to play to your strengths and hone your skills in the type of writing that comes naturally to you, don't eliminate possibilities for expanding your creative horizons and diversifying your skill set.