It comes as no surprise that every writer has a hero – an author, screenplay writer or poet that inspired them to get into writing in the first place. We tell ourselves their literary genius was unique, their work ethic impeccable, their ability to craft the perfect sentences was, and always will be, their domain. Worldwide, you will find statues dedicated to them, museums that house their best works and even gravestones covered in red lipstick kisses from avid admirers (Oscar Wilde), but in reality, we’ve got more in common with these literary greats than we think.
Previously, we’ve mentioned the interesting habits that set some of the world’s best writers apart – like the strict daily exercise routine of Japanese writer, Haruki Murakami and Ernest Hemingway’s innate desire to type standing beside his chest of drawers. But there’s also no denying that there are common traits and characteristics that we, as writers, all share. So, join Wordsmith as we delve deeper into the 5 traits that make a great writer.
1. They’re detail-orientated
For writers, the devil is in the details - literally. Great writers are perfectionists and pay close attention to ensure everything adheres to proper structure, punctuation and syntax while adding that much-needed splash of flair and creativity. However, you’d be a fool not to consider doing a bit of housekeeping with a second draft. To some, being observant, meticulous, and thorough in proofreading and editing comes naturally, but others might need a little work perfecting this skill – and that’s okay. Even British Novelist, Roald Dahl, agreed, explaining, “By the time I am nearing the end of a story, the first part will have been reread and altered and corrected at least one hundred and fifty times. I am suspicious of both facility and speed. Good writing is essentially rewriting. I am positive of this.” Re-reading your work is crucial. If you have time, come back to your work and read it with fresh eyes, as if you’ve never read it before. If you aren’t satisfied with it as a reader, then go in and fix it as a writer.
Detail-orientated writers also know that they need to adapt their copy for different channels – particularly online audiences. In today’s ever-changing landscape, research shows that we, as humans, create and upload roughly 1.5 quintillion bytes of content every day, and this content creation rate will only continue to accelerate. Because of this significant content shift and increasing competition for online real-estate, we’re seeing that the lines are blurring between content marketers and copywriters. Punctuation isn’t the only detail to watch out for – making sure your content resonates and converts online audiences is another essential skill writers need to add to their repertoire. If you’re a blog writer and want to transform your website into a must-read resource for your key audiences – we’ve got some tips to get you started.
2. They’re excellent storytellers and writing chameleons
Rupert Scofield, Co-Founder of FINCA International explains, “While this might seem self-evident, you've got to ensure the person you're hiring is a good writer! Great writing needs to have a narrative, it needs to tell a story. Analytical ability can only take you so far.” And we have to agree with him. You can never underestimate the power of a good story. Any writer worth their salt will be thorough with their research, check all their facts, and have impeccable grammar – but truly great, magnetic writers combine this into a compelling, memorable narrative that keeps their readers hooked, regardless of the topic or length. Looking for some inspiration? We’ve cracked the secrets of some of the best brand storytellers here.
Some writers also wear many different hats – like us. Writing for world-leading financial institutions in the morning then swapping to craft press releases for luxury brands in the afternoon is our bread and butter. But this talent isn’t reserved for copywriters alone. Non-fiction writers, bloggers and journalists, also wear many different hats when it comes to mastering the writing process itself. You embrace the madman in the brainstorming stage; become the architect by refining your topic; build your paragraphs and arguments like a carpenter and measure your prose like a lawyer, reviewing the facts before releasing the information for the jury to decide. Tom Van Winkle, CEO of Hinsdale Humane Society and Forbes non-profit council member, encourages writers to avoid being plain vanilla. He says, “All the right information might be there, but the writing does not match the ask. Sometimes business language is needed, while other times an emotional twist is required. Having a person who excels at the art of writing is priceless.”
3. They’re passionate readers
You’ve heard it before from many acclaimed authors: the more you read, the better the writer you’ll become. The more you read, the better exposure you’ll have to a broader vocabulary, interesting perspectives and innovative ideas that could potentially shape your writing for years to come. Some say it could even make you more successful. Bill Gates who reads 50 books a year, and business magnate, Warren Buffet, who religiously reads 500 pages every day, can attest to that fact.
So, what if you’re not an avid bookworm, and you want to be? How do you incorporate reading into your daily routine? You do it by starting small. Read a timely news article or a collection of short stories to build the habit, and write a short review about the lessons each piece taught you. Soon, you’ll build your own library of writing tips to refer back to. This will not only make you a better writer, but it also gives you inspiration when you’ve hit a creative roadblock. Real-life anecdotes, factoids, information snippets – consume them all, because sometimes the best, most memorable stories come from real people, from all walks of life. William Faulkner urges writers to “Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it's good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out of the window.”
4. They have their focus routine down pat
A writer’s ability to focus is a precious resource, especially in a post-covid world where most of us have all shifted to working remotely on a permanent basis. With limitless distractions pulling your focus, writers throughout the ages have gone to bizarre lengths to train their brains to get in the zone, and you can too. You just need to find out what works best for you.
Luckily, everyone’s different and there are loads of productivity hacks out there to help you write faster. From the tried and tested Pomodoro technique to allowing your inner creative run wild during periods of daydreaming, the world’s best writers find their groove and stick with it. American author Jon Land sums it up, saying “Everyone procrastinates to some extent. But creative procrastination is a positive thing. Some of my best ideas have come when I wasn't sitting at the computer. I might be at the gym; or watching a movie, but these connect-the-dot moments arise from creative procrastination.”
5. They connect the dots and find the perfect hook
Impeccable writers are writers who connect the dots. They find breakthroughs in their research; they articulate arguments that no one else has thought of; they tap into emotions and they bring characters to life. These literary core shakers aren’t a dime a dozen. No. It takes a remarkable writer to not only connect the dots and find the perfect hook for their readers but to also make comprehension feel effortless. It’s a fine balance, but an important one.
“The most important sentence in any article is the first one,” wrote William Zinsser. “If it doesn’t induce the reader to proceed to the second sentence, your article is dead.” Zinsser, acclaimed author of “On Writing Well” and contributor to the New Yorker (among other leading magazines), knows a thing or two about the importance of hooking audiences. It’s all about grabbing their attention – and keeping it, which is easier said than done. If you’re looking to create “wow moments” that will not only hold your readers' attention but keep them coming back for more, click here.
So it turns out you’re probably not worlds apart from your childhood literary idols. But what truly determines a great writer is how they use their personal traits and characteristics to take their writing to the next level. It may take some practice to finesse these skills that come naturally to some, but believe us: the journey is worth it.