3 Writing Exercises to Sharpen Your Storytelling

Published 27 Mar 2025

Talent is less important than you think. Maybe you have it, maybe you don’t. But keep in mind that storytelling is a skill, and like any other skill, you need to train it. 

These three exercises will improve your vocabulary, writing clarity, speed, and descriptive skills. Great writing depends on all of these components.

Writing, like any skill, benefits from focused practice on different aspects of storytelling. Doing these three exercises will boost your vocabulary, clarity, writing speed, and descriptive abilities, vital for compelling writing.

So, grab your notebook, set aside some time, and let’s dive in!

1. Strengthen Your Vocabulary

Goal: Expand your word choice and refine clarity

Words are a writer’s most powerful tool, but using them effectively requires practice. While it’s tempting to fill your writing with elaborate words, clarity always wins over complexity. The best writers use a rich vocabulary in a way that enhances the story, rather than confuses the reader.

This exercise will help you expand your vocabulary naturally, so you can develop a strong command of language without forcing it.

How to Do This Exercise:

  • Learn a new word daily. Subscribe to Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day or use a vocabulary-building app.
  • Write 3-5 sentences using the word in different contexts. Challenge yourself to write one as a news article, one as dialogue, and one as a novel description.
  • Use the word later in the day. Whether in an email, journal entry, or conversation, reinforcing the word helps it stick.

Why This Works:

You won’t remember every word you learn, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t memorization, but familiarity. Over time, your vocabulary will expand, and you’ll naturally reach for stronger, more precise words.

Bonus Challenge:

  • Once a week, write a short paragraph using 3-5 new words you’ve learned.
  • Try rewriting a sentence in simpler language—this reinforces clarity alongside vocabulary growth.

2. Practice Freewriting

Goal: Improve writing speed and fluidity

Most writing involves thinking, planning, and editing. While essential, these steps can sometimes slow you down. Freewriting—also known as stream-of-consciousness writing—helps bypass overthinking and lets ideas flow naturally.

A well-known form of this is morning pages, where writers fill three pages with whatever is on their minds first thing in the morning. This clears mental clutter and loosens up creativity.

How to Do This Exercise:

  • Use pen and paper. Freewriting is often more effective by hand.
  • Set a goal: Choose either
  • A time limit (5-10 minutes) OR
  • A full page of writing.
  • Write freely. Don’t edit, don’t judge, and don’t worry if it makes sense. Just get words onto the page.

Why This Works:

  • It trains you to write faster, making writer’s block less intimidating.
  • It helps clear your thoughts, so you focus better when working on structured writing.
  • It encourages creative risks—your best ideas often emerge when you’re not trying too hard.

Bonus Challenge:

  • Try themed freewriting: Give yourself a one-word prompt (e.g., storm, regret, discovery) and write from there.
  • Set a daily challenge: Freewrite every morning for a week and observe its effect on your writing flow.

3. Master Descriptive Writing

Goal: Create vivid and concise descriptions

Strong descriptions don’t just tell the reader what a place looks like—they transport them into the scene. Many writers struggle to balance vivid imagery with engaging, concise prose. This exercise will help you observe and capture real-world settings effectively.

How to Do This Exercise:

  • Visit a public place. Go to a park, café, or busy street where you can observe your surroundings.
  • Spend a few minutes just watching. Take in the sights, sounds, smells, textures, and even tastes around you.
  • Take quick, bulleted notes. Jot down:
    • What you see (colors, movement, light/shadows)
    • What you hear (conversations, background noise, music)
    • What you smell (coffee, rain, perfume)
    • What you feel (temperature, textures)
    • What you taste (if applicable—maybe you’re sipping a drink!)
  • Write a descriptive paragraph using your notes. Focus on the most striking details rather than listing everything.

Why This Works:

  • It trains your eye for detail, making both fiction and nonfiction more immersive.
  • It forces you to filter information, picking only the details that enhance the scene.
  • It strengthens your ability to use all five senses, creating a richer reading experience.

Bonus Challenge:

  • Write two versions of your description: one poetic and vivid, one concise and direct.
  • Describe the scene from a specific character’s perspective—how would a detective, a child, or a poet see the same setting differently?

Why These Exercises Work

Like any art form, writing improves with practice. These exercises target three key areas of storytelling:

  • Vocabulary and Precision: A strong vocabulary lets you express ideas with greater nuance and impact.
  • Speed and Fluidity: Freewriting helps you write quickly and develop a natural flow.
  • Description and Style: Observing the world sharpens your ability to create immersive scenes.

By practicing these regularly, you’ll develop stronger instincts as a writer. Over time, your writing will become clearer, more vivid, and more compelling.

Final Thoughts: Writing Is a Skill—Not Just a Talent

Many beginners assume that good writing is purely a talent. In reality, writing is a skill—just like playing an instrument or painting. The more you practice, the better you become.

Remember:

✔ Not every writing session has to be perfect. Some exercises will feel awkward—that’s part of the process.

✔ Progress happens gradually. Small improvements add up over time.

✔ Enjoy the process. Writing is meant to be explored, experimented with, and enjoyed.

Now, it’s time to put these exercises into action!