<p>Can anyone give me good websites or ideas on how to improve my writing skills to become more creative on par with college level? I am an entering freshman this Fall.
Thank you :) And good morning to you all early birds today!</p>
<p>The best methods I have found are (1) reading writers who write the way I want to write, and (2) writing.</p>
<p>I'm not sure exactly what you're after here when you say "creative" but if you're trying to become a better nonfiction writer, you might try reading works about academic subjects but written for a popular audience. On the other hand, I've enjoyed reading fiction to help with my writing: what matters is how the writer uses words, not what the writer is talking about. You're going to want a certain precision when you write in college and you may find yourself repeating the same technical terms over and over, but it's possible to write in a manner that will keep your audience interesting.</p>
<p>Many textbooks (in my opinion) are written in a mind-numbing way, so when you're in gen-ed classes you may want to always be working on a book. If you post some of the subjects or genres that interest you, people here might be able to recommend books they think you might like.</p>
<p>Maybe you could keep a journal or blog over the summer, including a lot of reflections on your reading, and do your best to post every day in order to get more practice writing.</p>
<p>you can't learn to be creative. you have to write without restrictions. Write things which you would normally hold back, don't be afraid to dabble in the insane.</p>
<p>this is for a college essay but i find this advice to be true. U.Va</a>. Office of Admission Essays</p>
<p>I think it's easier to write creatively if you've had a lot of interesting life experiences. Take a look at some of the stuff by Tucker Max - he really emphasizes just putting yourself out there.</p>
<p>I agree mostly with poster #2 though. Write, write, write. But don't let that hold you back from living an interesting life.</p>
<p>Well, I do want to prepare myself for English classes in college i.e. like some creative writing classes or literature. I have written a lot during this gap year for scholarships and stuff, but I feel my words are too mechanical and stilted. Even my book reviews I feel need some soul u know.</p>
<p>If you feel that your words are too mechanical or stilted, study some vocabulary (to add to your reservoir of words) and read some writing that depends on its colorful language. What Would Tyler Durden Do?, With Leather, and Cracked are good sites for the latter.</p>
<p>Try free-writing each day...It helps you loosen up in expressing your thoughts and stuff.</p>
<p>contextualize, make everything universal, apply philosophy and psychology</p>