How do you know when you're a good writer?

1. 92

   cclitgirlposted 12 years ago

   How do you know when you're a good writer?

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2. 70

   Barnseyposted 12 years ago

   A fun answer to How do you know if you are a good writer? read more

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3. 68

   Jessi10posted 12 years ago

   You just know. I know i'm a good writer, when my work inspires other writers to create their own work, and when they can solve any problems that they had with their writing.
   
   You know you're a good writer when you receive positive feedback from others!
   
   Hope this helps!!

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4. 60

   MPG Narrativesposted 12 years ago

   A good writer has readers. If people are reading your work, giving positive feedback and interacting with you, then you're a good writer. Also, "good writer" can be subjective, what is good for some is not so good for others.
   
   A good writer knows about grammar and spelling, and is able to put their point across clearly.

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5. 69

   buckleupdorothyposted 12 years ago

   Given the subjectivity of the whole issue, I think the ability to get a point across clearly and effectively is the primary mark of a good writer.
   
   Of course, being able to do that requires a strong grasp of spelling and grammar - but it also takes some knowledge of your audience (intended or actual) and the ability to think through an argument/proposal/plot in a way that others will be able to follow.
   
   I kind of like that you asked 'when' you're a good writer, rather than 'if', because I know excellent writers who do, on occasion, write something that falls flat.

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   iamaudraleighposted 12 years ago

   I think you know when you are a good writer when you can put your hear and soul into a piece.  When you get positive feedback ...it's a reward for your hard work.

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   forallposted 12 years ago

   A good writer is the one who can make people understand exactly what he wants to say. He is the one whose text talks directly with people's mind and heart without intermediate.
   As a reader, I want to learn something new everytime I read an article, even if I knew the information it talks about, the way of presenting it differs from a person to another. We can write about the same topic, yours will find audience, mine not. The secret for me is in the way you choose to present your idea. The tittle you choose plays a role too, but not as much as the content does.

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   Dina Blaszczakposted 12 years ago

   I think awareness whether or not you are a good writer comes as you gain more experience.  Also you can compare your work to other more experienced authors and using your own honest opinion, you can work out if your writing is good.
   
   Regarding the amount of comments on a hub, in my opinion, it doesn't give a true evaluation of the quality of writing, because there are lots of people who come from the search engines just to get the information they want and don't bother to comment.
   
   Another thing to keep in mind is that different types of writing satisfy different people, some like a posh, highly intellectual type of writing, whereas others prefer to read information written in a fun easy way.

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9. 64

   jwwriterposted 12 years ago

   If your writing clearly communicates and people "get it", I believe that makes you a good writer.  If you have the skills to match your writing skills with the type of writing required, that too makes you  a good writer. 
   
   When your writing reaches out and "grabs" people and holds their interest that's good.  I like it when people take it up, read it, nod their heads, and think or say, "Wow, I enjoyed that.  Give me more!".  Then, clearly, that makes you a "good" writer.

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10. 79

    kenneth averyposted 12 years ago

    cclitgirl, to answer this question, a really good question, for me, when I write something a bit controversial that causes people to react either in a good or not-so-good fashion. Sometimes being good at something means we have to accept the "anti's" and well as the "pro's"

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11. 61

    rave1432posted 12 years ago

    I ave gotten my friends who do not like to read, to read my stories to see if they like it, some would not put it down and some asked for more. When people who do not like to read will not put it down, that is how you know your a great writer.

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    mewlhouseposted 12 years ago

    I would add that reading countless volumes of great literature, and recognizing what it is, will help you immensely to "know" when you yourself are writing it, no matter what any others say. It matters little to be published or read by others except for your own feelings for wanting to be acknowledged, which is natural and something most of the "great" ones have suffered through.

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13. 82

    phillippeengelposted 12 years ago

    No one can be a good writer. If every writer is a good one, will there be books covering a wide gamut of genres? We need writers of different penchants - those who are expert in non-fiction and others in fiction, in order to ensure that words are forever harnessed to express each and everyone's individuality.

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14. 63

    ladyhowto4uposted 12 years ago

    
    
    You know you are a good writer when writing comes to you effortless.  You see writing as pleasure instead of work.  You are able to evoke feelings and emotions from people based upon the written word, just as effectively as if you were talking to them in person.
    
    Early on I enjoyed writing and at one time wanted to become a freelance writer instead of working at a regular job. However, due to the sometimes low earnings potential of a writer, I had to opt for a different profession.
    
    When you are a good writer, you will receive compliments on your writing, sometimes when you least expect it.  Once I wrote what I thought was regular type correspondence explaining why I was leaving a company.  The secretary came to me and actually complimented me on my letter!
    
    That being said, there are writers of different calibers.  Some may write at an academic level, while others write just like the "man off the street."  A good writer can adapt his writing style to fit his or her reading audience.  He or she understands that all the expert writing in the world means nothing if the reader does not grasp the meaning.
    
    A good writer also knows that the written word sometimes is not enough to get his or her point across.  Talented writers are able to augment their writings with illustrations, pictures or other media to help the reader to dissect and understand the message.
    
    After all, the written word is just that -- a written word.  Without the skill to craft the written word into thoughts that can be translated and understood by the reader, a writer is unable to classify himself as a good writer in any context or sense of the term.

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