What makes a good writer?
It’s a question that appears to have some magical, formulaic answer. For better or for worse, it doesn’t. A Princeton graduate and accomplished writer, John McPhee (‘53), gave the best answer to this question: “Perseverance.†Of writing, McPhee said, “You have to stay with it.†Great writing doesn’t simply happen; it takes time, struggle, and a willingness to accept that sometimes you won’t know where you’re headed.
When will I know when I’ve gotten there (to where my writing is “goodâ€)?
As in any other pursuit (baseball, ballet dancing, painting, playing guitar), there is never a time where the mastery of the skill is “over.†Similarly, the challenge of being a better writer will never cease to present itself to every single one of us. McPhee puts it more eloquently when he says, “Writers are unique. It’s like DNA, a snowflake, or a thumbprint; there are no two writers alike. Therefore a writer can only grow as that writer.†Thus, you should never compare your progress as a writer to anyone else’s, but you should understand that if you don’t write, you’ll never improve at writing.
What makes a good academic writer?
Do you have a sense that to be a successful academic writer, you will have to ramp up your use of five syllable words? Or perhaps you think that the less intelligible your writing, the more likely it will be classified as “intellectualâ€? It’s okay if you answered yes to either of these questions. We seemed to have created a culture where one is presumed to be more intelligent the less accessible one’s writing is to a reader. Have you ever heard someone remark: “Oh, he’s brilliant. I can’t understand a word he says.†It’s humorous, but guess what? You may have fallen prey to it in your own writing (or, at least, have been tempted to). We all have. But try to remember this pearl of wisdom from New York Times correspondent Chris Hedges: “There’s nothing intellectually humiliating about writing clearly.â€
Our education in writing has stressed the complicated over the simple. But good writing is not decoration; it invites a reader to belong to something significant through the clear expression of original ideas. Sometimes we use that decoration to hide the absence of an original idea. Worse yet, we believe that this decoration is equal to if not more important than the idea(s) conveyed. Thus, good academic writing requires the accomplishment of a two-fold task. Chris Hedges (again) said it best with a second simple declaration: “It is not enough to write well; you have to have something to say.â€
In sum, it takes practice to improve as a writer, and that practice can at times be difficult and frustrating. But however frustrated and difficult you may find the task of writing, if you are invested in it and write around ideas you care about, your writing will move you to a place of deeper understanding—not just as a writer but as a person of the world. When you write more, you begin to notice more, and when you begin to notice more, your world takes on a whole new depth of meaning. That’s worth something, isn’t it?
February 6th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Awesome, PK. I really like the quotes.
There’s no magic formula; writers are unique; there’s nothing intellectually humiliating about writing clearly; you have to have something to say . . . all are pearls of wisdom. Thanks. I look forward to more.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:57 am
What you said towards the end is very accurate. I have always been told that i have great potential to be a good writer although i didn’t believe it until i wrote, wrote every week and every assignment with clairvoyant thoughts and diligent editing. The process that i took to pratice my writing was rather frustrating because i hate criticism. In the end, i found myself more deep and cultivated that every feeling and thought i felt was easily turned into words.I still don’t think i am good writer and still doubt what i write everyday but, i think thats what every writer feels about their pieces of work.
July 15th, 2007 at 8:48 am
is very easy to write an essay ? and is needed to alot of time or few?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
Sherine,
With the right guidance and practice, you may eventually have an easy time writing a high-scoring essay within the 25-minute time period.
August 17th, 2007 at 9:20 am
To be a successful writer, it takes alot practicing and time.Although essay writing to some people is difficult and sometimes to me too, but i always practise to be a good writer.After my reading ‘What makes a good academic writer’, it has really inspired me a lot and mostly words Chris Hedges:There is nothing interllectually humiliating about writing clearly and It i snot enough to write well, you have to have something to say.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
My Dream is to be a Nearly Famous Writer. I realize it’s a long shot when you hav’nt taken classes in College but the Few Short Stories that I’ve written are interested.Especially the one I wrote about a year ago centering on my WW1 hero Grandfather I never met. Yes some are True Stories and some are just plain ol’ FUN. My Question: Can I still achieve some kind of success from being the inexperienced wannabe Writer that I am? Thank You for Listening.
August 30th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Yes, Robert, you can certainly achieve success if you pursue your passion — writing. In fact, I believe that if you follow your heart, you are most likely to distinguish yourself. Here’s the advice I often give the teenagers I tutor:
Get an education and earn your degrees. Once you are out of college, get a job in the field that interests you most. Among other things, the job will allow you to (1) make some money, (2) experience the industry first-hand, and (3) help you decide if its really the one for you. If you like the industry, stick with your job until you are ready to branch out on your own. If you don’t like the industry, try another. Your college degree will make switching industries a viable option.
I hope my advice helps. Good luck.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:40 am
I realized I loved writing – and was good at it, when I was
about 14. Obviously, the things I write now are far better the
30 or so page story I wrote when I was 14.
It takes a long time to write a novel length book. I am 18, and
write stories and then stop and start another one. I guess I’m
still trying to direct the flow of it in a more structured way.
Writers need that structure too. Even if a lot of us (including
me) aren’t exactly structured.
I feel confident that I will one day publish a book. After all
I’m on 18, and if the drive for me to write something very
seriously into a novel as been there since 14, I know I will
get there.
I agree with the DNA, thumbprint quote. Writing like any
creative art is not something you can just have because you
want it. Usually it’s a unique thing, but we can improve and
grow. And as it was said above, no two writers are alike.
I love that. I love reading other writers unique style.
It’s hard to know what others think of your writing though.
A while ago I joined fanfiction.net for practice and to
hear what the reviews says helps. Two of the fics (oneshots)
that I wrote, received comments both saying this was the
best one they had ever written. To get comments like that
blows me away and makes me wish I could just hurry up
and stick to a story, develop it and finish it!
March 16th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Lu,
Thanks for the comment. I too like the unique styles of different writers. If you stick with your passion, I’m sure you’ll be published one day. (Then I’ll get to say that I knew you before you became a famous author!) Good luck.
January 1st, 2010 at 9:08 pm
This small article was very useful for me. I don’t consider myself aa writer but I do have something to say. Whether it is my personal outlook on life, my past, or just common fanfiction based off another story, I have something to say. I’ve tested my writings out to other people and they like it. Sure, I expect the criticism and I look forward to it. But my biggest issue was that I get easily frustrated when writing. I guess that happens when I actually care about the stuff I’m saying and how it comes across. See, I am my biggest critic. I’m harder on myself than any of my readers. If I don’t like a direction my writing is heading in, I don’t write it. After reading this article, I now see that I was doing things all wrong. I’ve written stories that I planned in my head, but when I wrote them down, they didn’t go the way I planned them to go. they don’t always go in the direction I would like for them to go. Now I see that I should just continue to write, whether it be rough drafts or just thoughts…I’ll just write it down. It doesn’t matter if it makes sense to other people…as long as it makes sense to me, that’s fine. There really is no right or wrong way to become a writer. The main concept, in my opinion, is to write it., Whatever it is you have in mind, write it. There is no right or wrong, and don’t let anyone ever tell you so. write what’s in your heart. Find someone who can correct your wrongs and continue to be who you are. I love writing and this article has inspired me to write everything out.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Writing is one of my greatset joys . I would love to have someone evaluate my writing . I have limited education , however I continually write “letters to the editor” over a period of 15 years I have had about 100 published . It is very rewarding when someone has said that they have read my letters and enjoyed them . However I am most gradified when I am told that they are waiting for my next letter and are looking forward , wondering what the subject matter may be . Yes , writing to me is sometimes better than physical love , if I may be so blunt .