Gina Sares is a freelance writer and editor from Toledo, Ohio. Visit www.ginasares.com
When I was in the 7th grade, I learned the secret to great writing. It had nothing to do with syntax, vocabulary, sentence structure or tone. The secret was one word; one single, solitary command to be adhered to like a strict diet if you ever wanted to be a great writer. The word? Describe.
If I learned everything perfectly the first time around, I guess I wouldn't have needed all those extra books and English classes that consumed my time throughout high school and college. But, at 13, I didn't quite understand the importance of my teacher's words when she said, "Don't tell me; show me." That, right there, is the key to great writing.
At some time, all of us have heard someone tell a great story. We have sat straight up in our chair, completely enthralled in the words and movements of someone on the other end of the table. With eager eyes, we followed the swing of their hand gestures and noted every swift change of their facial expressions. We were like putty in their hands, eating up every word and ready to go wherever their story led us.
What is it about a good story that has this effect on us? Well, it’s not so much the story itself, but rather the delivery of that story. Anyone can tell a story, but not everyone can make you relive it. A great storyteller puts you in the action of the story, turning a memory, an idea, or a dream into an interactive experience.
In writing, we don’t have the option of great physical gestures or facial expressions. Everything we do relies on words. Therefore, our words must be powerful enough to stand on their own. They must be strong enough to place the reader in the story; to make them feel as if they are in the very shoes of the one who wrote or experienced it.
As E. L. Doctorow says, “Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader. Not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.” This distinction is what separates writing from good writing. It is what produces an effect on your reader that cannot be easily shaken. Sure, anyone can tell them it’s raining, but not everyone can make them feel it.
As a writer, my job is not to make you think of rain, or remember the last time you felt rain, but to have you experience a specific rain -- my rain. No, not the warm, gentle rain that lulls you to sleep at night. Not the cool and refreshing rain that sweeps in the crisp autumn air. The kind of cold rain that bitterly pecks at the back of your exposed neck like a hungry crane. Yes, that kind of rain.
Writing, in essence, is all about communication; and the clearest form of communication comes with vivid and detailed description. So if you want to be a good writer, don't just write for the sake of telling a story. Write for the opportunity of sharing the experience. Use your words to make those who read your writing feel and experience your story just as you have.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Write And Grow Rich
- The Art of the Storyteller - the Oral Tradition
- One Dimensional Writing-Using First Person Perspective
- Corporate Storytelling: Finding Story Resources
- The Gospel of Writing According to Marilyn, Chapter 11
- Narrative Therapy - Writing Your Way to Wellness
- Anne Lamott Style Storytelling
- The Quickest, Surest Path To Fiction Writing Success




How to Develop Good Writing Skills in English: 3 Ways To Become An Outstanding Writer
By: Michael Lee | 05/07/2009It is absolutely crucial for you to know how to develop good writing skills in English. Unfortunately, not everything can be learned from the classroom. This article shows you 3 proven ways to become an excellent writer.
Online Badmouthing Can Cause A Writer Their Career. Don’t Do It!
By: Stacy-Deanne | 03/07/2009An article focusing on why writers shouldn't badmouth agents and publishers on the Internet.
Unsecured Cash Loan- Unsecured Personal Loans With No Credit Check
By: Sarah Egelston | 03/07/2009This article is all about fast loans.
Quick Cash- How To Get Approved For A Personal Loan
By: Sarah Egelston | 03/07/2009This article is all about fast loans.
Personal Loan Rates- Compare Cash Lenders Online
By: Sarah Egelston | 03/07/2009This article is all about fast loans.
Coursework Topics
By: Eugene Atkins | 03/07/2009Coursework topics can be selected in various ways. But there are some rules that can help you in choosing the right topic.
Sociology Coursework
By: Eugene Atkins | 03/07/2009Sociology coursework deals with the different social relationships and the rules by which they are governed.
English Coursework
By: Eugene Atkins | 03/07/2009English coursework are those papers written in English and these types of papers are most sought after as English is the most popular language in today’s world. The effectiveness of the writing mostly depends upon the effectiveness of the language which may be employed by the writer. Good language doesn’t mean that the writer should make use of difficult words or complicated sentences.
Discover New Life Within yourself
By: Gina Sares | 04/01/2008 | MotivationalAs we get older, we are constantly trying to justify who we are to ourselves and others. Eventually, we become full of doubt and frustration, wondering if we are good enough and worried that we won’t live up to expectations. Imagine what would happen if we all had the chance to look at ourselves as a little baby. Our eyes would be opened to a fresh perspective of who we are and what we are capable of.
3 Keys for Writing a Strong and Purposeful Letter
By: Gina Sares | 19/12/2007 | WritingThere is more to a letter than knowing where to put the date and salutation. An effective letter is an invitation. It is an introduction that encourages and elicits a response from the recipient. Therefore, every word you use is influential in determining how you and your message will be received and if it is strong enough to generate the desired response. No matter whom you are writing to, these three keys will give you the elements of a strong and purposeful letter.