3 Key Ingredients of a Great Writer
post by Michelle Griep
It's November. That means thousands of writers are pounding away at their keyboards this month, hoping their manuscript will become the next #1 NY Times Bestseller.
See what I have in my hand, kids? It's a pin. A sharp, pointy silver rod of death, and I'm stabbing balloon after balloon. Pop. Pop. Pop. Because the ugly truth is there's only one thing that makes for a great bestseller and that's a great writer. And there are three ingredients that go into all the greats. Look deep inside, little writer, and see if you have the makings or if you're short an egg or two . . .
3 Ingredients of a Great Writer
Guts
There's a fine line between knowing writing rules and being hog-tied by them. It takes courage to cross the line now and then and break those rules. That implies you must know what the "rules" are first, but at some point you need to let go and freefall into your writing. Take risks. Not care anymore if your story gets published. Write for the breath-stealing exhilaration of creation.
Reading
Great writers read. Excessively. And in all genres. There's something to be said for osmosis. Reading great writing tends to come out as great writing.
Time
This is the ingredient everyone wants to skip, especially all the bright-eyed newbies out there who think their first manuscript is God's gift to mankind. It takes time to become a great writer. Blood. Sweat. Tears. Lots and lots of chocolate and weeping. Granted, the timeline isn't the same for all writers, but it's a rare genius who gallops out of the gate into novel stardom. Most pay their dues one year at a time, critique by critique, workshop by workshop. Slow down, little cowboy, and enjoy the ride.
If you're missing one of these ingredients, don't despair. Just work toward the one you need most. Stick with it, because there's a kingpin of all ingredients inside every great writer: perseverance.
See what I have in my hand, kids? It's a pin. A sharp, pointy silver rod of death, and I'm stabbing balloon after balloon. Pop. Pop. Pop. Because the ugly truth is there's only one thing that makes for a great bestseller and that's a great writer. And there are three ingredients that go into all the greats. Look deep inside, little writer, and see if you have the makings or if you're short an egg or two . . .
3 Ingredients of a Great Writer
Guts
There's a fine line between knowing writing rules and being hog-tied by them. It takes courage to cross the line now and then and break those rules. That implies you must know what the "rules" are first, but at some point you need to let go and freefall into your writing. Take risks. Not care anymore if your story gets published. Write for the breath-stealing exhilaration of creation.
Reading
Great writers read. Excessively. And in all genres. There's something to be said for osmosis. Reading great writing tends to come out as great writing.
Time
This is the ingredient everyone wants to skip, especially all the bright-eyed newbies out there who think their first manuscript is God's gift to mankind. It takes time to become a great writer. Blood. Sweat. Tears. Lots and lots of chocolate and weeping. Granted, the timeline isn't the same for all writers, but it's a rare genius who gallops out of the gate into novel stardom. Most pay their dues one year at a time, critique by critique, workshop by workshop. Slow down, little cowboy, and enjoy the ride.
If you're missing one of these ingredients, don't despair. Just work toward the one you need most. Stick with it, because there's a kingpin of all ingredients inside every great writer: perseverance.