During your first draft, don't focus too much on cleanliness. Brainstorm your ideas and place them on the page. After you've got the basic ideas written, connect them in a clean and logical format. You may not always find this necessary, but it's helpful when you have problems getting started.
Limit paragraphs to one idea. When you disregard paragraph size, not only do you run the risk of rambling, but you also intimidate some readers. Begin each section with a topic sentence that presents the basic idea of the paragraph.
Avoid clichés. Such phrases as "break a leg," "raining cats and dogs" and "easier said than done" are clichés. When you're trying to add color to your voice, clichés are not the right approach.
Write in active voice to ensure clarity. Instead of writing, "The child was scratched by the cat," write, "The cat scratched the child." Not only is active voice easier for the reader to process, but it can also cut down on words. Sometimes, you may want to use the passive voice for sentence variety.
When editing your work, read each sentence aloud. Do the sentences flow smoothly? Trim redundant statements, overused phrases and unnecessarily long words. Watch out for words such as "just," "really," "quite," "that" and "perhaps." In many cases, you can trim these words without sacrificing meaning.
Not all writers use the same style. For example, journalists are required to incorporate the Associated Press style, while screenwriters have their own rules and format to follow. Learn as much as possible about the style required for your job. Always consider your audience. Are you writing for children, college professors or a general audience?