What makes a good writer?

Success as a writer;
Skill; you must develop it. And, develop it you can.
Hard work; without it no critical mass will be achieve; Getting onto ‘the network’ of readers and influencers (the hard work must be smart work, and part of the smart working is getting onto the network).
Luck; there is no doubt that luck plays an important role in success, being seen or not being seen, being at the right place at the right time. But the hard work, with its increased exposure, will help in growing lucky exposure
               … and, to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling;
               …yours is the publishing world and all that is in it.
                And what is more you will be a best-selling author, my dear.

​

British author Pat Barker (Silence of the girl) spoke about self-doubt when writing. To mitigate this, she first does all her research, and thinks deeply about it. When ready to write, she starts and writes as quickly as she can to ‘outdistance’ the voice within. She claims this method works for her.
There are similarities of the spontaneous writing and Barker’s method.

• zYou must be organised – otherwise you will miss deadlines.
• Be creative.
• Have a belief in your ability to entertain readers.
• As for all skilled people, you must have pride in your work.
• A storyteller.
• Have things to say, perhaps from life’s experiences.
• Have something to say about an issue.
• Enjoy writing.
• Have the time to write.
• A good grasp of grammar, or the ability to learn as you go.
• You need to be disciplined – if not, it is unlikely that you will Sit down each day to write.
• Determination is another requirement.
• Understand the importance of editing your work to make it as ‘clean’ as possible.

Have you realised that there is not one characteristic in the above list that you cannot cultivate? All are achievable and are taught in How to Write – Right!

---

Words as things, tangible as the fibrery paper and the liquid ink, almost like small objects, rocks, or gems. Words as stones, as stars, as seed, tracks, doors, words as mountains, words as skins. Words as colours....
(J Ruth Gendler)