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Blogs by Ed P Zaruk
What is Good Writing? 2/21/2009 9:06:26 PM
Many people I meet at book signings tell me they want to write a book. Most never will, but I respect their dream. Here are a few words to help it along. Tim Sandlin once said, 'Poor writers can become good writers, but good writers can't become great writers.' This category is reserved for an elite few: Dickens, Hemingway, Edgar Allen Poe, and yes, I hate to admit it, Bill Shakespeare. Great writing is not always the most popular. The Da Vinci Code was extremely popular, but barely climbed into the good writing category.
Most of us can improve our writing by doing more of it. It is said that one needs to write a million words to find their voice. Voice is how you perceive the world. It will reflect your inner expression of the environment around you. The style with which you put words on the page will bring this inner self out for private introspection. The great challenge comes when you give your writing to others to read. Here you bare your soul to the world, and people have the opportunity to look into your very being. If you're not prepared to let others into your personal world, then I suggest you write for self.
Personally, I prefer to write for my friends. I feel, as does James Patterson, who did an interview for the recent issue of Writers Digest, that story telling is paramount. “You’ve got to write a story that they will pay money to read.” I try to do this by keeping up a fast pace, and telling an engaging story that draws people into the world I imagine. Alexandra Fuller (Author of Scribbling the Cat,) once suggested, 'Supply your readers with enough facts to hang their imagination on.'
When writing, always remember that passion is a greater motivator than money.
