Skip to content

What makes a great writer ?

Post this topic on X

In Content & Inspiration

The IndiBlogger forum is now a read-only archive. Every public discussion is still here to read, but new topics and replies are closed.

Mayur
from goa |

For many days i wanted to ask this questions. What actually makes a writer great and his book a masterpiece?. Is it a great plot? style of writing? use of words? or implicatios in practical life?.

I am asking this because i like writing short stories (mostly sci-fi). I give them to my close friends for reading and take their feedback (you can get the best feedback from ur close friends because they are used to embarass and critisize u). They say the plot and concepts are really good. but they say the sentence formation needs work  because they think the flow of the story breaks sometime. So do u have any suggestions for that?

And also i want to ask does a writer really need a extensive vocablary? like does heavy words enhance something in the story and makes it look more professional? i ask this because generally i have a good vocablary but when sometimes i read some good book there are some words whose meaning i don't know this makes me feel inadequate and lowers my confidence.

Replies 1 to 12 of 12

Kristy Kumari
from Amritsar |

When I read I like to feel like I can se the story. More descriptions using words we don't hear every day help a lot. For example instead of saying "the beautiful rose made me think" it's more inviting to read "the stunning pink and white rose mesmerized me and and drew me into a daydream of thoughts" and stuff like that. Personalizing characters with things your reader can relate to. Try to model the characters after real life people. Maybe think about a character in a movie or a person you know in real life and use that person's personality for your character. It will help the reader see them as real too.

It's also better not to use words that are too big. The average reader prefers to read on and 8th grade reading level (in America anyway). It's more relaxing not to think too hard when reading. I think that would work best for you writing short stories. If you ever want to write a tech manual then you can break out the big, scary words.

For words you don't know go to www.dictionary.com and to get new words that mean the same thing as what you want to say but that people don't use everyday go to www.thesaurus.com. Those will help you out a lot! I use them all the time and I'm not a serious writer unless it's for work (I write professionally too) lol. You don't have to feel inadequate, the majority of the world doesn't know/understand most of the words in their language. That's why dictionaries came into existence, it's simply too much for anyone to remember.

Mayur
from goa |

Thanks really apreciate u taking time to reply.

I have a kindle it has vast dictionary and thesaurus so i wont be needing the sites. but really appreciate it.

umesh derebail
from Mumbai |

I believe when you are writing a science fiction the theme has to be futuristic and interesting. Secondly the if you can find a moral for the concept in terms of human interface than your short story will catch the attention of the audience. Let us say for example new technology ensures that human being can live upto 1500 years, what will be consequence of this extended life ? It would mean more people in old age group, burden on food resources, medical facility, etc.

abhin@v
from mumbai |

You should decide the language about the language in your stories based on whom you are targetting. For example chetan bhagats characters almost speak like the youth in real life. I think that helps in connecting with the readers at some level.

abhin@v
from mumbai |

*language in your stories. sorry for the errors :)

Mayur
from goa |

Don't get me wrong but don't know why, but i dont like chetan bhagat's. its like watching a masala bollywood film.

abhin@v
from mumbai |

I was just quoting an example on how successful authors connect with their readers.

TF Carthick
from Bangalore |

I had written a post on my blog regarding the same topic a few days back. Do check out my views. http://luciferhouseinc.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-write-story.html

R-A-J
from Bangalore |

lotsa friends whom he can force his writin on to...........

Smile

Mayur
from goa |

Sorry but i did not quiet get it.

Arti
from Mumbai |

Sometimes we go searching for that perfection...be it in combination of words, vocabalury, concepts, etc, etc when all we must do is write from the heart and let those words flow. If this is taken care of everything else will start to fall in line automatically.

Mayur
from goa |

Ya i know it all comes to that, but we can't altogether ignore the other elements of writing atleast if you want become a proffesional writer. Because at the end of the day the feelings should reach the reader and to do this we have to follow their rules and taste.

I totally agree with you if u are writing something for yourself like a diary or peronal blog.

Arti
from Mumbai |

Yep, thats true too. You need a certain bit of polish in your writings for a professional writer but if you clutter your mind with all these thoughts beforehand only when you sit down to write, then the stuff you churn out will always turn out to be substandard. So its better to just write from the heart as the first draft then you can always take the help of friends and family to make it better in terms of vocabulary, etc. I am no writer but this is how I see things to be :)

tys
from Sharjah |

to speak the readers language, to keep them engrossed in his tale or writing...ability to connect, to pique their interest, to make them part of the story...its a tough question...i guess for me a gud writer wud be someone whose work i love reading

RioZee
from Out of this yEt in this World |

Good writer and successful writer, there is gr8 difference. Some are born with talent and have words at their command.

Riti
from Hyderabad |

Very nice question and nice answers .........let me add a penny to it

whenever i write I never realize what and how I write just my core feelings  come out ........I notice whenever I want to change it or try give a professional touch I got stuck up ended with a mess --sometimes .....personally, I like raw flare of writing ......

So far, I feel writing during the ........ extreme bear strength of  feelings - I am in the best flow of it ......silence, peace and extreme of feeling(pain ,aloofness, love ,ditch ,anger, happiness,excitement ) ....rest all are additional advantages  and disadvantages  for the critic people or case study for literature person ........

Mohini Puranik
from Dhule |

I love to write from heart. Then it reflects when people read it. Sometimes I miss that way, my friends noticed that. About Vocabulary ....my blog may be the simplest wording blog. and people love it. Still about writing books I have no experience. 

I can't publish when can't have natural flow. You may not agree with me, but I believe in God's grace so it's my blog's name too Gurukripa. 

See, how Tulsidas ji has written, such a simple language still with love and devotion and i think 14000 or 19000 different words he has used in Shriramcharitmanas.