What does it take to be a good writer - in your view?

1. 76

   Shil1978posted 15 years ago

   What does it take to be a good writer - in your view?

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2. 59

   kgnatureposted 15 years ago

   Three things that I couldn't do without are the ability to focus on a project without getting distracted, a thorough knowledge of grammar and punctuation and a wide range of life experience that you can bring to your writing.  There are lots of other things that help but I find these three things absolutely essential.

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3. 59

   Southern_Smileyposted 15 years ago

   Objectivity for non-fiction. A free spirit for fiction. And patience for poetry.

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4. 71

   Arthur Windermereposted 15 years ago

   The first step is to be a good reader. If you only read junk, you'll only write junk. That goes for anything, non-fiction, fiction, or poetry. If you don't read the best, you'll always be mediocre or worse.
   The rest is hard work, thought, solitude and inspiration. In that order.

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5. 80

   Wayne Brownposted 15 years ago

   Wouldn't it be nice if it was just 'desire' alone?  I have experienced that with music.  I have the 'desire' but not necessarily enough 'talent' to gain the momentum that I would like to have in order to call myself a musician.  At the same time, I have learned that practice, practice, practice does improve on the outcome and I am getting better at the craft.
   
   I think it is much the same with writing.  There are those who are schooled in the mechanics of it but lack the emotion and creative edge to put the tools to work.  When they do, they come across a 'mechanical writer'.  To some degree, I think there are some who are born with natural talents that work well in writing.  When they add some formal training to that, it tends to work although sometimes the emphasis on employing the tools can easily overshadow the creative intent of the writer.
   
   Thus, I think it comes back to finding a 'balance' between to tools of writing, creative inspiration, emotion, and awareness of your reader.  When you can orchestrate those items in proper balance the end product is usually very good.

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