Sometimes, the best writing tip is simply to read really good writing. Good writers inspire today’s writers to aim for the best. When I write, I like to immerse myself in my favorite writer’s voices and channel them into my own writing. These three passages are some of the most beautiful passages currently published.

The land seemed full of creaking and cracking and sly noises, but there was no sound of voice or of foot. Far above the Ephel Dúath in the West the night-sky was still dim and pale. There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.

- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King

"The sun had not yet risen. The sea was indistinguishable from the sky, except that the sea was slightly creased as if a cloth had wrinkles in it. Gradually as the sky whitened a dark line lay on the horizon dividing the sea from the sky and gray cloth became barred with thick strokes moving, one after another, beneath the surface, following each other, pursuing each other, perpetually."

Virginia Woolf, The Waves

"I am the sum total of everything that went before me, of all I have been seen done, of everything done-to-me. I am everyone everything whose being-in-the-world affected was affected by mine. I am anything that happens after I've gone which would not have happened if I had not come. Nor am I particularly exceptional in this matter; each "I," every one of the now-six-hundred-million-plus of us, contains a similar multitude. I repeat for the last time: to understand me, you'll have to swallow a world."

Salim Sinai, Midnight's Children

If these aren’t enough beautiful passages for you, this post has 9 more beautiful passages in literature. Happy writing!

If you’re a writer (and today, everyone is a writer to some extent), you probably know at least the very basics of grammar. All sentences should have a subject and a verb, for example.

However, did you also know that even the best of writers often fall into these grammar traps? Find out 5 common grammar mistakes everyone makes and how to fix them below:

There are 14 cows in the field. There are 12 birds. There are eight ways to tie your shoe.

All of these sentences start with “there are” and all of the sentences are boring. Sure, “there are” is an accurate statement in many cases, but too much use of the phrase sounds lazy and boring. Even if there are 14 cows in the field, try to make the sentence a little more exciting. “14 cows stood in a single line in farmer Jo’s field” is a more interesting sentence.

Some writers are not sure when to use commas, so they avoid them altogether. This becomes a problem when you have a sentence like: before the students arrived the teacher cleaned the desks washed the windows and straightened the chairs. Your brain doesn’t know how to arrange the sentence, so you feel weird while reading it. Put the commas where they belong. Before the students arrived, the teacher cleaned the desks, washed the windows, and straightened the chairs.

Did you lose your loose change? Go find it then. I find this is normally a typo error, but it still is important to remember. Lose means to misplace, loose means not tight.

When you make a list, all of the verbs should agree. The kids washed the windows, drove to the store, to eat candy in the parking lot. This makes your brain hurt a bit, which should be avoided, if possible. Change that to eat to ate, and you’re good. Try to end all words with the same modifier, such as by using all “ing” words, or “ed” words.

Passive voice is the use of “to be” verbs. Instead of the subject doing the action, the subject is being acted upon by something else.

This is passive: The paper was signed by all the children.

This is active: All the children signed the paper.

 Passive writing sounds sluggish and boring. You can’t always avoid passive voice, but try to keep it to a minimum.

What common grammar mistakes do you make most often? 

Didn't see your grammar error here? Find 10 more common grammar errors here.

When it comes to writing tips, there are thousands of tips out there. Even though there are thousands of posts out there covering the same topic, many of these writing tips offer the same advice.

Today, I’m sharing with you a few unconventional ways that I’ve found work well to motivate yourself to write even when you don’t want to or don’t feel good.

Music is a powerful mood-lifter, and it can also help you concentrated by blocking out unwanted noise and distractions. Some music acts like a sort of white noise that is ideal for writing and focusing. I’ve shared before how I like to listen to Biffy Clero, but there are thousands of artists out there that have created perfect music for writers. I particularly like these hobbit-themed songs.

If you dress poorly, you won’t be motivated to do anything. I find that putting on something nice can dramatically improve my productivity, even if I really don’t feel like doing anything at all. Try it next time you sit down to write. Rather than wear comfy clothing, put on something you would wear to the office. You may be surprised at the difference.

It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but transporting yourself to a new location can work wonders for your productivity. I like writing at coffee shops, bookstores, and even swimming pools. You will get even more done if you don’t sign into the wifi.

Bored of your current writing style? Why not try something different? If you always write news-style pieces, try writing a fiction piece instead. If you always write blog posts, try switching to magazine feature pieces. This not only keeps you from feeling bored, but it also expands your marketable skills.

Reading the work of others is inspiring in two ways, according to Orson Scott Card. One, it will inspire you to try your best to create something amazing like that writer. Or, two, it will show that even *I* can write something better than that. Both of these views are powerful motivators.

What unusual motivation methods do you use?

As writers, it is our job to think. But in the age of distraction, finding the ability to focus is becoming a lost art.

I have worked as a writer for home for seven years. During that time, I’ve found a few tips and tricks that help me focus, eliminate distractions, and become a better writer.

As a writer, a lot of my job is in my head. I have to have periods of quiet reflection to plot out my words. My writing is 1,000 times better when I have had time to reflect and think about what I want to say.

I do a lot of thinking at night after the children go to bed. This planning time enables me to clarify what I need to do for the next day.

The Internet is amazing, but it is also the Queen of distractions. I don’t use these, but I’ve seen some pretty cool apps that you can download that will actually prevent you from accessing the Internet during certain periods.

I have to have online access for research, but I try to avoid time suckers like social media and e-mail during my writing time.

You know what causes distractions from writing? Hunger.

Not only does your brain not function as well without food, but if you are hungry, you’ll be thinking about how you want a sandwich, not about your work.

I often have trouble with this one, because when I get into the zone, I want to keep going until I finish. However, if I equip myself with food in advance (and sometimes snacks while I’m working), then I won’t lose focus due to hunger.

Want more tips on how to stay focused while writing? Comecheck out my companion post at Daily Mayo!

It’s a new year! Happy New Year everyone!

I thought today I would share with you my favorite Coffee-Addicted Writer Writing Tips posts from 2014. Enjoy!

10 Simple Writing Exercises to Improve Your Writing Skills

Music to Listen to While Writing

Tips for Writing Horror from 5 Horror Masters

5 Sites that Will Help You Improve Your Grammar Skills

5 Signs of Weak Writing

6 Songs that were Made for Writers

5 Tips for Starting Anew

How to Give 100 Percent to Your Writing

Editing: Necessary or Not?

Grammar Rules Explained by Internet Memes

Here’s to a healthy, successful writing career in 2015!