Comments on: Writing professionally

By: How can you pick a good writer? « Word Constructions

How can you pick a good writer? « Word Constructions — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:14:56 +0000

[...] the writing for a project, how can you select a good writer to help you? Yesterday, I sparked a discussion on writers being professional and skilled so Ithought it best to help you recognise good [...]

By: isabellagladd

isabellagladd — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:58:05 +0000

Interesting post. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way.

Simplicato: You succinctly describe the act of writing with the words– flair, intellect and efficiency. Well done.

By: tashword

tashword — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:05:50 +0000

It’s great to know your limitations, Melissa - leaves you more time to get on with what you are good at!

Flare, intellect and efficiency - I’d never though of it quite that way, simplicato, but I agree that there are essential aspects to good writing.

By: simplicato

simplicato — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:20:40 +0000

Just like any other hobby or profession that requires skill in order to suceed, writing is no different. A person that has the capability to fuse sentences with flare, intellect, and efficiency possesses a rare and special talent. I believe those are three of the most pertinent and necessary attributes that a person should incorporate into their writing. Can the average person do this? To be short and to the point, no. However, there is nothing wrong with that. I agree in full with the above posts. Not everybody is a basketball player, pilot, doctor e.t.c. But writing MUST be put in this category, because it is absolutely a skill that you can’t just expect to have.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:16:08 +0000

Very good points all of you. This is exactly why I hire a writer to write many things for me - because I know I can’t write about myself.

It is also sad that he is minimising the industry. Surely he should be building it up, if nothing else to increase his business.

By: tashword

tashword — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:06:46 +0000

You’re right Cliff- it does sound ridiculous whan you put it that way!

And I wouldn’t want a job like that either, Phyllis.

I’m so glad you both agree that not ‘anyone can write’!

By: Phyllis K Twombly

Phyllis K Twombly — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:48:21 +0000

Not everyone should try to write, just as not everyone should try to be a banker or a professional basketball player. True, anyone can play ‘bball’ and we all have to deal with at least a bit of money. But perhaps the reason so many books never sell well is because of this attitude that ‘anyone can write.’ Perhaps this fellow is having a tough time finding writers, never mind good writers. Sadly enough, many people have an ego larger than their actual talent, and these are most likely the kind of ‘writers’ such an ad will appeal to. As a published author, I wouldn’t want that kind of job.

By: Cliff Burns

Cliff Burns — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:12:45 +0000

…and sometimes people publish on-line because no traditional print place would touch them with a ten-foot barge pole. The problem with computers and the internet is that it gives everyone the mistaken impression that they can be writers too. Wrong! Writing is a skill set and a level of determination to persist at the task of improving as a scribe despite all the world’s indifference. If anyone can be a writer then anyone can be an airline pilot. Sounds ridiculous when you put it that way, doesn’t it?