Comments on: What Makes a Good Writer?

By: Dara Solomon

Dara Solomon — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 04:18:11 +0000

Thanks for the post, I completely agree. I have been providing affordable academic writing (essays, thesis, even doctoral dissertations), editing/proofreading of such documents, business writing/technical writing, resume writing, you name it- through my freelance site (linked in my name above). People do not seem to understand THE SHEER AMOUNT OF TIME it takes to properly research, write, trash, re-write, revise, edit, revise again. We do not get the respect we deserve.

By: amanda devine

amanda devine — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:14:32 +0000

I would love to be good at something, anything. I was always seen as average by my mother and I think this stuck with me. The one thing I did get praise for was my ability to write. SO now I am left with this fanatasy I built in my head, a protection if you like from the fear of my own averageness. It is a fantasy of one day being able to stand up and say, but I can write.
Who knows if that will ever happen, sometimes I think I am too deeply attached to the saftey of the fantasy.

By: aloberto

aloberto — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:55:02 +0000

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 .

By: J.D. Devereaux

J.D. Devereaux — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:08:19 +0000

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.

By: Karl

Karl — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:00:50 +0000

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.

By: Lu

Lu — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:40:57 +0000

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!

By: Karl

Karl — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:25:30 +0000

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.

By: robert clark

robert clark — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 02:57:28 +0000

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.

By: Bismarck

Bismarck — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:20:23 +0000

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.

By: Karl Schellscheidt

Karl Schellscheidt — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 02:03:51 +0000

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.