| What makes a good writer? | | | | defined purpose. At other times, we need to |
| Yeah, we all know one when we see one. | | | | focus on the whole picture. While a third occasion |
| Actually, we all know when we read their book. | | | | requires us to see blocks of information and how |
| But what qualities does a good writer need to | | | | those blocks interact. |
| have? What makes them a good writer rather | | | | 3. A writer needs to be blessed with the gift of |
| than just a mediocre or poor writer? | | | | the gab. Good communications is an underlying |
| I believe that there are five generic elements | | | | quality that every writer needs. Forget kissing the |
| which need to come together to create a good | | | | blarney stone. Make love to it! Feel its coolness |
| writer. And I believe that we all have the ability to | | | | and hardness. Touch and caress it. (Don't really, |
| have those five elements. It just takes a bit of | | | | I'm being figurative here. Hanging upside down to |
| effort on our part. | | | | kiss a piece of granite isn't going to help your |
| So what are the five elemental groups of qualities | | | | ability to write. No matter what my Irish |
| that matter? | | | | ancestors believed. Besides getting arrested for |
| 1. The first group of qualities are personal work | | | | obscenity at an Irish tourist attraction is frowned |
| habits. A good writer must have a sense of | | | | upon). |
| discipline. No matter how good your system to | | | | 4. A writer needs to work on the technical |
| write is, writing is still hard work. And we must | | | | aspects of their craft. Writing is, at its core, a |
| learn how to motivate ourselves to sit and write. | | | | craft. You must master your tools. You must |
| Because the other thing about writing is that it is | | | | master your system of writing. Fortunately, we |
| a solitary habit. | | | | practice all the time. You see we speak. But you |
| 2. The second group is related to how we think. A | | | | still need to master your ability to use words. |
| good writer needs to be flexible in our thought | | | | Your grammar. Your spelling. Otherwise you'll |
| processes. At times in the writing process we | | | | spend everything you earn on editors. |
| need to be detailed oriented. Every little letter and | | | | 5. But most of all a writer needs passion and a |
| character must be in the right place and have a | | | | love of people. |