The Qualities of a Good Writer: What Are They Doing that You're Not? Part 1

What Are the Qualities of a Good Writer?

What qualities or characteristics do good writers possess that the average writer does not?

Well, I have thought long and hard about this, thinking back on all the past authors I have worked with to discover what the ones who wrote great work and went on to find success have in common.

What sets them apart?

So, today I will share the result of that contemplation and tell you what the qualities of a good writer are, based on my experience as a fiction editor over the last decade.

The most important qualities of a good writer are:

1. Taking your craft seriously

   1. Gaining a thorough knowledge of grammar and language

   2. Dedication and discipline

   3. A love of research

   4. Attention to detail

   5. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

   6. Good time management

2. Balancing the creative and analytical

   1. Imagination and creativity

   2. Strong observation skills

   3. Organization and structuring of complex ideas

   4. Clear, coherent, and persuasive

   5. A unique voice

3. Having the right attitude

   1. Empathy and curiosity about human nature

   2. Self-awareness

   3. Open-mindedness

   4. Adaptability and versatility

   5. Perseverance and resilience

   6. Ability to take constructive feedback
      

Whew. That seems like quite a hefty list, doesn't it?

Because it is a heavy boy, I will cut this post into 3 parts, starting with Quality #1—Taking Your Craft Seriously.

Part 2 will be Quality #2—Balancing the Creative and Analytical, then:

Part 3, Quality #3—Having the Right Attitude Toward Learning & Growing.

We'll deep dive into each of these, and I'll tell you why they are the qualities you need to possess to become a great writer. And I want to say right off the bat that I also think—no, I know—that each of these characteristics can be learned.

I don't buy any of the negative self-talk people tell themselves or the excuses that they give others. Everyone can learn to become better at anything. Everyone can change!

Viktor E. Frankl, in his book Man's Search for Meaning, tells a story about how a doctor he knew in Vienna had committed the most evil atrocities during WW2, unredeemable in his eyes. Later in life, he encountered a man who had met the same doctor in a POW camp. This man told him that he was the most wonderful person he knew there, spending his time helping others and bringing peace to the men who needed him.

From that day on, Frankl decided that everyone could change, even the most evil and damaged of us.

It's really one of the most important books you will ever read, but in retrospect, that seems like an extreme example to convince you that you can change your writing habits.

Oh well, maybe someone needed to hear it. Anyway, onward.

Qualities of a Good Writer #1: Taking Your Craft Seriously

When I say the best writers take their craft seriously, I mean that they look at writing as something that requires education, work, dedication, and all that other good stuff that comes with taking a career path.

They are not hobbyists.

I'm not saying that your writing can't be good if you are just writing for fun, but unless you are a wickedly talented individual, your scribbles will not be up to the standard of those who put the work in.

How would you approach becoming an electrician, for instance? Or an accountant?

You would go to school, invest a great deal of money getting the qualifications to practice and work under a mentor for an extended period, learning the ropes.

You would NOT go over to a light socket and start fiddling around! Though, side note, as someone who has electricians in the family, I hear enough stories of professionals going into houses where that was the case, and it's a horrifying thought.

The #1 quality of a good writer is that they treat their craft as seriously as you would any other career path.

So let's break this down into the key ways great writers express this quality in their everyday work habits.

Thorough Knowledge of Grammar and Language

Let me start by saying: do you need to be a member of the grammar police force to be a good writer? No.

But I do believe it is important to study the mechanics of writing because if you take this seriously, you should know the basics of your craft.

Great writers don't rely on editors and spellcheck software to tell them if they are writing well. They take their business into their own hands by understanding it through and through. You'll also notice that great writers often break those same rules they know so well. Because they are confident enough to do it skillfully.

You do not build this confidence without knowledge.

Some may argue that it's the editor's job to take care of these things. But as an editor, let me tell you, writers who allow the editor to take the wheel are more likely to let them make sweeping changes that detract from their overall vision, then come out of the process unhappy or give up altogether because of self-doubt.

There is a lot to discuss with this point, so check out the post I wrote about the pitfalls of working with an editor and what to watch out for during the process.

I have argued that there are no "rules" in writing. And while I still believe that to be true, I also think that you can't possibly make educated decisions on which to adhere to and which to break without knowing the whole story, as it were.

Don't rely on other people to make these decisions for you—take responsibility for your writing and ensure it represents you at your best by understanding the mechanics of your craft.

Inside and out.

If this is your path, take it seriously and learn the basics before jumping to the advanced stuff.

Dedication & Discipline

Dedication and discipline are crucial qualities that I have seen set exceptional writers apart from average writers. Writing is not a sporadic hobby for them; it's a commitment they honor with unwavering dedication.

They understand that success in any craft requires consistent effort and practice.

These writers are also a dream to work with as an editor. They meet or exceed deadlines and make real plans to apply your suggestions to their work.

Being a disciplined writer means setting aside specific time for writing, even when inspiration seems elusive. It means showing up at the desk, ready to put in the work, regardless of distractions or mood.

This level of commitment is what pushes writers to progress and grow, and they are always growing.

Writers who take their work seriously go beyond merely enjoying the act of writing; they are willing to endure the challenges that come with it. They embrace the ups and downs, the frustrations and rejections, and remain steadfast on their journey toward improving their stuff. But we will discuss this a little more in the continuing posts.

Discipline means you must maintain writing routines, whether daily word counts, deadlines, or project milestones. It's about holding yourself accountable, respecting deadlines, and valuing the craft enough to put in the necessary time and effort.

Because you realize it is not easy, it is not merely sitting down and putting words on paper. It is a craft or art form if you prefer, that takes time and effort to get good at.

A Love of Research

A love of research is something you cannot brush past and often is the sole difference between a great writer and a mediocre one.

But it is not just about putting in the necessary work to get the facts right either—it is having a genuine passion for uncovering the nuances in whatever you are researching and finding the intricacies within it.

It is about looking for details that bring uniqueness and authenticity to your writing.

Great writers embrace research like a detective. But rather than unearthing vice and criminals, they are trying to unearth hidden gems of knowledge that will take their work from meh to wow.

And this section isn't titled "do their research," I said, have a "love for research."

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They soak it all up like happy little campers because they perceive research as a gateway to inspiration, use it to fuel their creativity, and know that it enables them to write stories that feel real, relatable, and alive.

Mediocre writers view research as a necessary pain in the behind.

Attention to Detail

The ability to meticulously observe, analyze, and refine every aspect of your work to ensure precision and accuracy is a quality that every writer needs to cultivate.

Even the most minor nuances can significantly impact the reader's experience, positively or negatively. Great writers take the time to carefully craft their sentences, fine-tune their word choice, tweak dialogue and more.

They pay attention to every movement their character makes, every plot turn, every beat, the rhythm of their words, the images they are creating, and the turns of phrase. They do not take anything for granted in their own writing.

By paying attention to detail, writers create a sense of immersion for their readers. The book becomes a whole greater than the sum of its parts, and the reader stays in it longer. Every scene, dialogue exchange, and narrative element is thoughtfully constructed to aid the purpose.

Most importantly, attention to detail shows you have respect for your craft and your audience.

It demonstrates a commitment to delivering the highest quality work and an understanding that every detail matters.

Because remember, a great writer knows that writing is serious business.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

Fiction writing is a subjective field fraught with creative obstacles (we'll talk about the other kind of obstacles in a later part). No one said this was easy.

Actually, I said at the beginning that it is NOT easy, and that is why you need to take it seriously. I can't believe you forgot that already.

Great writers have a precious quality that many average writers do not. They possess the ability to find ways around the obstacles. Writers with strong critical thinking abilities are great at analyzing their work. They can evaluate information, identify underlying themes, make logical connections, and do a bunch of other handy things.

This way, they can delve deeper into complex topics, unravel intricate plots, and explore thought-provoking concepts with clarity and depth....without losing the plot.

That was a terrible joke. I'm sorry for that.

Writer's block and being unable to come up with anything unique and creative are real problems. But these problems can be easily overcome by learning good problem-solving techniques and developing strong critical thinking skills.

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Good Time Management

Good time management is an essential quality possessed by all successful writers. Being able to effectively allocate and prioritize time for writing, research, editing, and other necessary tasks, ensure productivity and progress.

Great writers know that time is a valuable resource and organize theirs accordingly. They establish realistic goals and deadlines, break down larger projects into manageable tasks, and work steadily toward completion.

And they make effective writing routines to stick to these goals.

By managing your time efficiently, you can avoid procrastination and stay focused. You can balance productivity and rest, incorporate breaks and still manage to get everything done. Meaning they are less susceptible to burnout which inevitably is followed by self-doubt.

But time management goes hand in hand with discipline and accountability. Great writers hold themselves responsible for adhering to their schedules, meeting deadlines, and consistently producing quality work.

Summary: The 1st Quality of a Good Writer

Taking your craft seriously is a fundamental quality of a good—no, I should say great—writer. It goes beyond mere enjoyment or your basic hobbyist mentality. It's about treating writing as a career path that requires dedication, education, and commitment.

Like any other profession, writing demands a certain level of time, effort, and continuous learning (ie: investment in yourself!). I'm not sure why we refuse to invest in our craft as writers. I mean, people will fork out tens of thousands for a university degree they will never use and starts off their careers with a wack of debt. Heck, I'm one of them.

But when it comes to making an investment into learning to write and developing the skills required to do that well, they balk at a $14.99 price tag on a book!

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Don't get me wrong, I actually believe that education should be mostly free. The point I am trying to make is that you need to change your perspective on what writing means to you. If it is something that you can see yourself doing for a long time—something you want to be successful at, it needs to be something worth investing in.

You need to be something worth investing in. Whether that is in money, time, or that numb-legged feeling you get after sitting at the computer to long.

It is not enough to rely solely on natural talent because you'll find out quickly that even if you are the most talented person in the world, someone with no talent who works harder than you will run you over in a second.

Not that writing fiction is a competition..... :? I'll leave my opinion on that in the ether.

True excellence in writing comes from honing your skills. You must expand your knowledge base and consistently put in the work.

By embracing the idea that you have to be a serious writer, you take on the perspective of a student and a businessman alongside your natural creative mindset.

You acknowledge that success is not handed to you on a silver platter but is earned through perseverance, discipline, and a willingness to continually challenge yourself.

If you are set on becoming a good writer, treat your craft with the dedication and respect it deserves. Embrace the challenges, strive for mastery, and never stop trying to improve. In Part 2, we will further explore the qualities of exceptional writers, delving into the importance of balancing the creative and analytical aspects of writing.

Next: Part 2 - Balance