What is good writing?
Good writing is one of those things that you know when you see it. You just have to read it. Explaining why a piece of writing is good is harder. To do this, you need to understand the techniques the writer has used.
This was one of the topics we discussed today during the first of four webinars that feature as part of my new workshop: You, your profile and other stories - how to write copy that will get you noticed.
For me, there are four key elements to good writing:
1. It’s interesting
Ultimately, the most important thing that you should be aiming for as a writer is that people want to read your material. If they are not interested in what you have to say, then you may as well give up now.
2. It has good flow
Structure, pace, the choice of words… These are all important factors in good writing. The words should be organised in a way that helps the reader follow your thinking as you move from one idea or topic to the next. Sentences should be fluent and easy to understand. Your chosen words should convey the right energy and should explain precisely what it is you want to say.
3. It has a voice
How will the reader feel when reading your words? Is your voice formal or casual; friendly or standoffish; uninformed or expert? Voice is the expression of the writer’s personality through words and is usually tailored to the audience they are speaking to.
4. It’s accurate, authentic and consistent
If your writing is full of errors, it will make you look sloppy and as if you don’t care about your work, which is not great for your credibility. Nor will it help the reader who will struggle to understand what it is you’re trying to say.
Equally, accuracy helps with consistency, and consistency is king when it comes to building a profile through written work. People like to know what they’re going to get, and by producing work that is dependable, it will help you build your authority in a particular field.
Authenticity is about showing the reader what you stand for, so they know what they’re going to get. You need to be genuine, believable and trustworthy.
Have I covered everything there? What do you think are the fundamentals that all writers need to have in place for their work to be considered "good"? And do you have favourite writers or work that you'd like to share? I'd love to hear from you if you do!
P.S. I'm really excited about this new course. Throughout the programme, we'll also be looking at the fundamentals of storytelling, such as audience and structure; the different types of content formats you might want to consider writing; what editors are looking for when they commission you to write for them and how to make sure your work gets noticed once it's published. If you fancy signing up for the February or March cohorts, get in touch: [email protected]