Beyond mechanics, what makes good writing or, writing good?' Mechanics are often considered a necessary but not sufficent component of good writing.
What types of writing do you prefer?
Fiction or nonfiction? Please, do not respond with the word, Yes.
When I worked in bookstores eons ago - customers, when asked the question, Is it fiction or non-fiction, many replied, Yes.
Yes, what? Yes, fiction? Or, yes, non-fiction. It cannot be both. You must choose.
Hence the question: What is good writing?
Is it more than gritty soul searching and soul baring? Do some have talent and others may not? Or, do we all have talent?
I believe in the latter.
So, what makes writing good? Or, should I say, well? I think not the latter, but the former, shall I say.
Is good writing visceral and intuitive? Meaning, you cannot say why you like something, but you can say that you like something. Good writing strikes you in the heart, the solar plexus, the gut. You may now know why, but you know. Perhaps it speaks to a past life, your karma, your parents, whatevertheheckyourtherapistsaidbutyouignoredbecauseyouhadto payhim/her; or, fill in the blank._______.
I believe good writing speaks to us as people: it has a certain universality of human experience; preferably, it is well said - that speaks to a je ne sais quois.
What types of writing do you prefer?
Non-fiction?
Rabble-rousing, devil-may-care, down-and-out-instigator non-fiction?
Fiction?
Do you prefer a story-teller style or a literary style? Both or somewhere in-between?
Do you have seasonal preferences? Meaning, do you take certain types of books to the beach and others to the winter cottage? if no beach or winter cottage getaway (believe me, I'm with you here), do you have seasonal preferences anyway?
What influences you to buy a book? Is it cover (oh my god) or blurbs (yes, marketing helps sell a book; after all, this is America), or, perhaps, you simply open a book in the bookstore and read.
How far do you read (words, paragraphs, pages) before you buy or not buy?
For myself, I prefer a literary style but also willingly entertain a storytelling style.
Yes, I confess to some seasonal preferencs. I love to curl with a good book, whether I am at the computer, the fireplace, or a virtual beach or winter haven.
What is your experience and opinion?
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 87
In non-fiction, I want something concrete and fact based, with an intuitive understanding of how to make the topic understandable to the general reader. Like in my "Me and Spinocerebellar Ataxia" article, I want to at least once have cerebellar atrophy described just a bit more to me, then I don't want to be bothered with more about it later. I want the author to give me some credit for intelligence. Right now I'm reading a book someone gave me, and everything it is trying to prove is based on assumptions, and I'm just about ready to tear my hair out. I love the person dearly, but can't believe they would so easily choose to believe something which chooses to prove itself by the same book, rather than bringing in any independent facts....
You say you want to have a cerebellar atrophy, but I doubt you'd actually want one, if you had one. I had one. Fortunately, I got over it. Took years.
Yeah, Larry - I AM asking you!!!
I very rarely read non-fiction. It isn't as captivating as a good story at least for me. I know there are people who love to read non-fiction, but I just can't get it to hold my attention. I guess that's why there are so many styles out there to pick from.
And I very rarely buy a book. I usually will head to the library and see what's on the best sellers list or go to my favorite authors and see if there are any new books to chose.
Love BIG, fat art books too...whether it be Ansel Adams or Andrew Wyeth...I like to read about how they find their subjects...
I don't know Kathryn...never really thought about it before...but when I go in Borders, I check out the paperbacks in the middle ....3 for the price of 2...if I find nothing, I go over to the history or art section. And I must admit...the cover will pull me in!!!! I know that's really superficial...! So now I have about 6 to 8 books...I go buy a coffee and I start reading...if the story...the writing...doesn't grab me by the end of several pages, it goes in the "no-buy" pile.
That's it!
Though I started my career writing non-fiction where I can't go out of the primary and secondary resources and I have to prove my self .I love writing Non-fiction.
But on the other hand talking of fiction I have seen some writers of fiction are best at plotting, some at writing, some at both. Unfortunately some aren't very good at either.
What I feel whatever we write totally depends upon our skill, the plotting upon our imagination. Plotting comes easiest for me. It's the most fun part, as well. After that comes the work. It's important for all the details to be logical, no anachronisms, time sequencing has to fit, etc. The hardest for me is dialogue. I have to get inside the head of each character so I can know, not only what s/he says, but how s/he says it. I have a great imagination so writing, and coming up with plots is pretty easy for me. What I find a little difficult; is to be in each and every characters state of mind sometimes and say or write accordingly to what each individual would say or do. That is why it is very important that you visualize all your character and describe them as best as you can. You might think that I am crazy, but my characters come alive to me in my imagination, and when I write I find myself writing what they, the characters would say. It just comes naturally.I felt all thses changes when started writing fiction .....
I will choose fiction now..where I love the story-teller style with literary gems.Change is the law of nature so am I…
....we all are wrapped with different imagination..different attitudes..different aspects and with different perspectives.Writing is a blessing or talent is a big question itself ..but now a days writing is a skill…which could be improved following writing tips..
Seasonal preferences….honestly no…
My mood …Book's Title and a short reading influences me to buy that book…(though I take time to spend my $)I read it for 15 minutes before buying it..
A book is a 'good book' can be decided until and unless you finish it..I don't do injustice to any book on trusting others ...
for me, though, the killer app is the writing. I cannot say who, what, how, or why, just that it is or it is not. Writing, that is.
Anne, bio is great, too. Wharton, oh yes. Teachers like you and elizabeth e. have a great window on the world.
bonnie, I read a few pages, too. That decides it for me.
Heidi, I used to read fiction, exclusively. Then as a reporter, it was nonfiction, or perhaps mysteries, almost exclusively. Love a good story well told. Either way.
To your question, fiction, non-fiction, genre, seasonal, none of it matters to me if the material is not well written. I won't read something just because it is sci-fi, romance, political, etc. I like great writing, real talented writing. After that, we can talk.
This questions is exactly what I heard throughout all my studies in art. Patrons -- and sometimes fellow artists -- would utter the classic "I don't know art, I just know what I like." Granted, this vague reply is not at all helpful to the artist. But I am sure there is some psychology in there that speaks to the viewer's inate knowledge of what is "good". If that is true, than it emphasizes the artist's responsibility to be "good" above all else. If the artist/writer can feel satisfied with the quality of the product, the rest is just a matter of audience choice.
This is probably not helpful. And the age-old question still remains unanswered.
I also read non-fiction: biographies of lesser know people, animal stories, science discoveries, Civil War and Revolutionary War books. The Orphan Train books are some of my favorites. I like to see letters and diaries and journals included in non-fiction, to give me the flavor of the times, what everyday life was like, rather than just the facts.
Sometimes I buy a book recommended to me or because a friend wrote it. I like to read reviews and blurbs too.
Judi, yes, writing from the heart brings out a person's best.
flit, ah yes, a story, well told.
Judi, yes, a story from the heart; flit, a good story, well told, ah yes.
What I think makes for a powerful story is something that reaches deep down deep into my psyche and soul. The story challenges my views and makes me view the world in a different way. I have to care for the protagonist. I even have to care for the antagonist! The writer has to trust me as a reader and not write down to the 'average' population. So much more. . .
I read poetry, fiction and non-fiction.
As a former acquisitions editor I wanted non-fiction writing that hovered between extremely readable and relevance in the for of well-researched or supported information. The same is true of fiction, whether mainstream or genre fiction. Tom Clancy, for example, does everything that the writing workshops tell you not to do. He rarely uses "said," preferring verbs like "grumbled," or "snapped." But the thing is that Clancswriting fashion is irrelevant...you can't put his stuff down, and after you've read it, you nearly remember "seeing" the action as if it were a movie. He doesn't get reviews that say how fresh and daring his fiction is; reviewers are more likely to stress that he writes exciting, action-packed thrillers. Does that make mainstream literary fiction better than Clancy's? Depends upon whether Clancy's work being on or near the top of the best-seller lists, as opposed to limited sales but highly praised mainstream work makes a difference to you the reader.
So, as Kathryn mentioned, wildly successful storytelling vs top notch quality, original literary fiction each have their place in the publishing industry. Make it anything but boring.
I prefer to read the blurbs and/or reviews on a new book of any sort, fiction or non. Publisher's Weekly and the tabloid handouts from the major booksellers are always welcome at our house. I also read the NY Times and New Yorker reviews.
I want to see and smell the smoke rolling out of the chimney...
I want to feel the chill on my toes as they touch the water and the sting of the sweat as it rolls over parched skin in the heat of the summer sun...
I have loved reading Ray Bradbury and Steven King( older ones) with the enticing webs they both can weave so well....twisting and turning you...holding your attention even when you dont really like the subject..( The Stand)(Something Wicked This Way Comes).. but not sensationalism...
I want characters to be real,REAL REAL, not jerry springer real....
Color Purple real....Helen Keller real...Anne Frank real...
even if they are part of a fantasy
Everyday...I like to read cookbooks..those with factual historical references and pics...
how to books....you know learning material....and shorts about political historical type people..
NO ROMANCE...horrible stuff LOL....DO not want to rad about women who fall in love with the men that abuse them....
NOw Shakespear...Taming of a Shrew....thats real romance.....
A picture can paint a thousands words...but a great author can take a thousand words and create a masterpiece, where everyone can choose their own colors no matter what the season!
I prefer fiction, but that may be because I prefer to write fiction. I understand many non-fiction readers read to learn something specific. In a way, I'm doing that when I read fiction because I always feel that I learn something about writing itself when I read novels -- whether I like them or not.
I tend to read a mix of novels I want to read and those that are popular, just to see what makes them click. A mix of classics and new works. It doesn't really matter where I am or what season it is, but each year I try to mix in a little bit of everything.
I like good literary fiction -- the type that's not too stuffy, that flows well, but that can move you not just with what's happening, but with the way someting is described or said. I like fiction that makes you care.
Thanks for asking.
Eric, a very insightful comment and dead, spot-on.
I've been told that my writings are of the metaphysical type and this is why they generate so little interest here in Gather. That's too bad but that's the way it is here. On another site, they give good rep points which are exchangeable like those here. My total count there is over 2 billion points and my cash availability is over $ 1400.00! I'm saving it for a rainy day though I have twice donated sums of $ to others who requested it. I wish we attracted the type of people in gather who appreciate profound thought in writing but it's not to be.
But maybe some day ...
I'd recommend connecting to way more people, personally.
I remember your icon from months back when you joined. Most interesting. When you joined, there were about 100,000 people - in October there were that many or that few, relatively; by January, there were 200,000 and by March, there were 250,000 members on Gather. Now, there are about 339,000 members.
People to whom you've connected in the past may not even be around much, so unless you spend regular effort in connecting, people may not even be aware of your work.
it's worth a shot~
Even though I cannot put my finger on what it is that distinguishes good writing, I think I can identify great writing writing when I see it.
In his book 'On Writing', Stephen King makes a statement that I have been rolling around in my head since I read it. He said (I am paraphrasing here) that there are great writers, good, writers, competent writers and bad writers. A competent writer can learn to be good, but a good writer cannot learn to be great. A bad writer will never be anything but a bad writer.
I read equal amounts of fiction and non fiction. I like the intellectual challenge of learning new ideas and information from non fiction. Sometimes I just want some fluff, and will pick up a detective novel. Other times I want to wallow in the language, so I dig into a classic. I find most contemporary fiction unbearable, and generally avoid it.
I don't really hear much from those I'm connected with unless it is a request for another review and for more points. LOL!
I might be writing a short column from time to time on new books I like...if I have time...
I love to read poetry from the classics to the modern. I like the richness of language, use of metaphors and imagery.
Nowadays I try to write reviews too. I have found out that the sports pages of our newspaper contain he best of vocabulary. So there is much to learn from there.
Writing? Well I am learning that. I am learning to write different forms of structured poetry. Long way to go...
Sports writers in America often have the best language; terse, crisp and they can wax about the magic of the sport.
You may be right about everybody having a talent, but I've read some talented writing that is absolutely soulless.
It must be a combination of being able to tell a story well, and having a story worth telling.
And, of course, soupçon of blind luck....
that was the question?
Oran, thanks for stopping by.
How about this? À Á Â Ã Ä Å Æ Ç Ö ¿ « »
Accented Characters for the PC and Mac
I love it when you ask questions and I love it when I read the variety of answers. So you can see I love any kind of writing. Even questions and answers, if they are thought provoking , is good writing for me.
There probably is some truth in that. But I still believe that mutuality in point sharing is more of more significant consequence than merely making connections. Granting points should always be a two way street.
BTW, when I wrote of this last night several people that have long been recipients of my point giving finally commented on my writings and gave me compliments!
YAAAAYY!!
Lalitha, how are you? I was missing you!
Jean j, sounds good to me.
A: Substance.
Q: What types of writing do you prefer?
A: Literary
Q: Fiction or nonfiction?
A: Fiction
Q: Is it more than gritty soul searching and soul baring?
A: Eh, by adding the word "more" you're reducing the implications. I think recently I called it "The exposition of one's passion or soul in words".
Q: Do some have talent and others may not? Or, do we all have talent? I believe in the latter.
A: Everybody has talent, but not everybody is a talented writer.
Q:Is good writing visceral and intuitive?
A: I don't know. My writing is purely intuitive but if I don't write well, then that doesn't answer the question, does it?
C: Meaning, you cannot say why you like something, but you can say that you like something.
A: I can usually tell you why.
Q:I believe good writing speaks to us as people: it has a certain universality of human experience; preferably, it is well said - that speaks to a je ne sais quois.
A: I say good writing is eternal and universal.
Q: Do you prefer a story-teller style or a literary style? Both or somewhere in-between?
A: Literary.
Q: Do you have seasonal preferences?
A: No.
Q: What influences you to buy a book? Is it cover (oh my god) or blurbs (yes, marketing helps sell a book; after all, this is America), or, perhaps, you simply open a book in the bookstore and read.
A: I read the back cover; if it sounds interesting, I peruse the book for style. If it is well-written, I consider purchasing it.
Q: How far do you read (words, paragraphs, pages) before you buy or not buy?
A: I usually scan the entire thing - check the first few pages and somewhere in the middle.
........had ya there, didn't I?
That's my point. A good writer has the ability to create a "gotcha" moment in his/her writing.
Fiction or non-fiction, it doesn't matter. It has to grab the reader's attention and make him/her want to turn the page.
Dolphi, I so enjoy your comments: they are refreshing, well-written and written by someone so mysterious and talented as you are. The culinary analogy was particularly apt.
Since you like history you might like to read "Barnes Review" magazine. Their stated goal is to report history in accordance with known facts by authors who were there.
So much of history is fiction written by government hacks and people perpetuating myths that seem romantic that it is hard to believe most of it. As Joseph Stalin stated "Historians are dangerous people and must be controlled" Governments of all countries promote history that makes their administration look good. It is our job as citizens to dig for the facts and promote the TRUTH.
I can't say my reading tastes are seasonal, but there are times I seek out fiction, not my usual fare. When I do I want a particularly good one. I read the reviews, the back cover, and the proloque, and scan the beginnings of two or three chapters.
Debbie, a good method for selecting a book. It is how I choose, too - a taste.
A: Interest. A desire to read more
Q: What types of writing do you prefer?
A: Edgy
Q: Fiction or nonfiction?
A: Fiction
Q: Is it more than gritty soul searching and soul baring?
A: Soul enjoyment.
Q: Do some have talent and others may not? Or, do we all have talent?
A: Ambition can drive talent. Magic Johnson V Larry Bird debate should follow.
Q:Is good writing visceral and intuitive?
A: Purely intuitive.
Q:I believe good writing speaks to us as people: it has a certain universality of human experience.
A: Some writing works sooooo well. Ya know.
Q: Do you prefer a story-teller style or a literary style?
A: Story teller.
Q: Do you have seasonal preferences?
A: No.
Q: What influences you to buy a book? Is it cover (oh my god) or blurbs (yes, marketing helps sell a book; after all, this is America), or, perhaps, you simply open a book in the bookstore and read.
A: I look for the concept.
Q: How far do you read (words, paragraphs, pages) before you buy or not buy?
A: I read 5 pages.
Some average Nines think that they are Fours because they have artistic talents and creative inclinations of one kind or another. As in the case of love not being the sole domain of Twos, artistic capacity is not the sole province of Fours. Other types can be, and often are, artists.
Even so, the artistry of Fours is much more personal and self-revealing than that of Nines. The art of Nines often expresses idealized, mythological, and archetypal worlds–usually the real world glossed into something fantastic and wondrous. Nines are often gifted storytellers in which "...and they all lived happily ever after" is assured. (There are no unhappy endings in the Nine's world of make-believe.) By contrast, the art of Fours is generally more personal and realistic, the expression of the Four's (and of everyone's) deep longing for love, wholeness, and meaning. Fours often deal in the tragic, finding redemption in self-transcendence; Nines deal in the commonplace, finding comfort in ordinary lives and simple situations.
Fives may have intense feelings but share them with few people. Their feelings tend to fuel their thoughts and their imagination, leading them to more abstract or fantastic forms of creative expression. Their work is less autobiographical, and more often portrays their vision of reality. ("I paint what I see!") Fives tend to be more experimental and outlandish in their artwork. Although both types can explore personal darkness more thoroughly than most, Fours tend to focus on their disappointments in love and with their childhoods and their attendant pain. Fives tend to focus on inner emptiness and feelings of meaninglessness. Fives are more driven to penetrate the surface of things to understand, Fours to get in touch with feelings and cathartically express them. compare Fours Ingmar Bergman and Anne Rice with Fives David Lynch and Clive Barker.
I think a good writer is one of two things:
Someone who can share knowledge of a specific subject in the form of non fiction. Doing so with some type of style that keeps the reader involved or interested enough to obtain the desired info is useful, but not necessary. If they are unable to include personality, then you must present your information in such a format that the access can be quickly looked up (as in reference). The plan there, is usually to locate info from several sources, not spending much time focusing on any one source. Therefore, mechanics must be impeccable.
Another type of good writer, is someone who can entertain a reader. In whatever format (ie, mystery, suspence, etc) that interests the reader, they must want more. When you keep them entertained in nonfiction, they will forgive a lot of the mechanics. (blogs/Social network formats. Howver for serious publication consideration, your mechanics need to be in check here also.
I think what determines What makes for a good 'writer', is dependent on the format of the material in question.
*WendyWorld Msg* only my opinion, for what it's worth, a'course)
I have an easier time recognizing good writing than saying what it is. I think of true wordsmiths--authors who carry me along with a powerful narrative while creating an experience for my senses through nothing but my mind. Examples of writers I consider wordsmiths include Pat Conroy and Barbara Kingsolver, Neither paint the scene so heavily that I'm bored, yet each make the narrative so lush and evocative, that I savor each paragraph. There are authors who lose me with the description. There are authors who are trying so hard to be literary that they forget to tell a good story. Some authors carry me through the narrative and tell a story I cannot put down--but not one I savor. Each author has his/her strengths.
Regarding seasonal reading? I read new books during the winter and reread favorites most summers. Oh, I read the newest Harry Potter book in the summer--generally within the day I buy it, but most summers I reread Jane Austen, Lucy Maude Montgomery, Edith Wharton, James Michener, Catherine Marshall, Louisa May Alcott, Shakespeare, Orson Scott Card, CS Forester.
Poetry is both the easiest to write and the most difficult to write well. I am a poet at times myself. I love the poetry of Cummings, Williams, Dickinson, Shakespeare, Frost . . . but I am rarely moved by student poetry. The vast majority of modern poetry, even modern professional poetry, is either too distant, too trite, or too angst of the week.
What makes me buy a book? A good blurb on the cover, a great intro, smooth creamy pages. (Silly I know, but I hate reading a book that's written on paper that is too porous and soft--nor should it be too white or too brown. And the font should be clean and have a decent margin.) Often I will buy a book based on someone's recommendation. Most of the time I get hooked on an author and read everything by that author until I've exhausted the list.
I cannot end this post without speaking of my favorite books, the books that exemplify the qualities of what I think is good writing: To Kill a Mockingbird, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Prince of Tides, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, Beat to Quarters, Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood, Christy. I'm sure there are others, but these are the ones that stand out in my mind this evening.
A good writer to me, is someone who writes from the heart and soul, and lives what they write about. I also think that everyone has talent, it just may lie undiscovered in many people.
Since all I buy now is non-fiction for historical research, I think that pretty much sums up why I buy a book.
So far as good writing,
Great job, all!
My other fav in fiction is Ayn Rand, my mom turned me on to the Fountainhead when I was in 8th grade and I've probably read 6-7 times since then and of course Atlas Shrugged and We the Living were also exceptional..
As far as non-fiction, I'm pretty much with Ron on that...I really enjoy history, military history especially (no surprize there huh?). I just recently read a book on "Storyville" Storyville was the area right outside the French Quarter at the turn of the century and into the 30's and early 40's that housed all the best Jazz clubs, music halls and of course the best bordellos in the city...LOL...Extremely interesting book, as a matter of fact PBS did a documentary based on the book and it was excellent....
Let's face it good is good and bad is bad no matter what the genre, but at the same time it's all subjective....Thanks for making me think once again Kat....
Jules, I, too, prefer good writing, regardless of genre. For many years, I was a 'fiction girl' only; after becoming a reporter years back, I added non-fiction.
Your words, " Fictively speaking, good writing makes you laugh, cry, and root for the protagonist. A good writer puts the reader right into the story so that you see it, and feel it, as if you were there. If the writing is really good, you'll read it more than once." so true.
I am currently reading The Autobiography of Mark Twain and just finished a bio of Diego Rivera. I'm trying to branch out, but also found a box of HQ books in the garage a couple of weeks ago (leftover from a yard sale after my mother's death) and am surprised at how many I am enjoying, although a number of them are trash and quickly discarded. I also am a visual person and tend to "judge a book by it's cover" and the blurb.
Thanks for the article.
I will not say that raw words have no effect, but I must certainly say "It is red" is much different to, "The tree had deep burgundy hues hidden within its leaves, hinting at something more."
I love literary devices; metaphor, simile, onomatapoeia (or however it's spelled, it's nearly midnight and I am NOT checking on it), alliteration, etc. They give an ocean of depth to objects, scenes, and characters.
I know I definitely do not like transparent plots. I do not like dry writing, either. I've fallen asleep on book 1 of the Wheel of Time series on 8 different occasions!
I like both fiction and non-fiction, but the non-fiction definitely has to be on a subject that intrigues me. I like to learn, especially about psychology, art, music, as well as many other subjects.
You want to BE the character or be WITH the character.
If your child wrote: I pomise I be guud todey. You would treasure it as the best of all possible works.
If it's non-fiction you want to be the person doing or discovering or be with the person for the same reason. That's why most educational material falls short.
David - excellent comments thank you.