Just like no two fingerprints can ever be the same, no writer can exactly mimic the writing style or attain the depth a fellow writer may possess. Writers are like painters who use their thoughts on a clear canvas to create something unique in their signature style.
The content, the style, the vocabulary, the grammar, the sentence structure are all crucial determinants in deciding the quality of a writer. Being a fledgling writer myself a few years ago, the tips I would like to elucidate below may not guarantee you a great job or a lucrative project, as personally they do not define my concept of success. However, I promise you one thing and that is after going through these tips you will definitely scrutinize your writing skills and come to a logical consensus of your ability to express your thoughts, ideas, opinions and views with crystal clear clarity and emotion.
Know your domain: It is imperative for a writer to know what exactly is his/her area of expertise is. Variety is the spice of life, but this holds true only when you are absolutely confident that you can pull it off really well and with great élan. For example, all award-winning writers are sure of their skills and their ability to deliver in a single genre of writing: fiction or non-fiction.
Correct Grammar: Basic grammatical mistakes like incorrect subject-verb agreement, wrong usage of tenses and maybe even something as minute as the wrong plural form not only diminish the quality of writing but also obstruct the smooth flow of sentences. I’ve always felt that writing should be like the title of Paulo Coelho’s amazing and famous book: ‘Like a flowing river.’ Please do not let a logical area like grammar that is so similar to math in its underlying concept be an impediment. Maybe you can start brushing up your grammar by picking out the grammatical mistakes in this article. It’s all in good humor!
Good Vocabulary: Sprinkling a dash of spellbinding words all over an article that sound so very intelligent and regal is a common practice almost all writers indulge in. The best part is that appropriate usage of good words in the correct context will never diminish even with a rapid increase in their numbers in your repertoire, if you strive to ensure you have actually captured the true meaning and absorbed the true essence of all these words. So, use “big” words, but be prudent.
Regularity: What is common to a dog and the human mind? They both need regular exercise. Your brain needs to be wired so that it can think anytime and anyplace. Thinking creatively comes with ease only when the mind is forced into a disciplined routine. Most writers are born, but some become writers through sheer hard work and practice. You can design a good schedule yourself because only you know which category you truly belong to.
Clarity: The ability to clothe your emotions in words is the only real challenge you face as a writer. The interplay of all the factors mentioned above will make you a good writer. To be a great writer is a different ball game altogether. A great writer can weave his/her thoughts into a beautiful synchronized pattern elegantly and seamlessly. There is no crowding of thoughts, as you never spot any run-on sentences in their work.
This pretty much sums up all that has to be said about being a good writer. These five points, I hope, have done their job of a quick SWOT analysis to asses your writing ability. But, the most important thing above all is to have fun and enjoy yourself when you sit down to ‘pen’ down your thoughts. Happy writing!
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Soumya says, "I love to read, write and sketch and am a nature lover."
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