What does it Take to be a Great Writer

Bringing Emotions into Play

Many people define themselves as writers just because they write; “the cogito ergo sum” does not exactly parallel “I write, therefore I am a writer”.

Good writing takes more than just the ability to put words into sentences and communicate ideas. Great writing takes even more; it takes the audacity to attempt kidnapping the reader’s attention while having the courage to expose your own vulnerabilities and, most of all, it takes the natural ability to bring emotions into play.

Most creative writers live in a world of their own; not a better or worse than any other, just different.

The world of a writer is a rainbow, not only of colors, but also of nuances.

Every word carries with it a vibration and every vibration is part of the melody composing the song to be offered as a tribute of pain or joy, of hope or sorrow.

Writing is not a choice as much as it is a need to free oneself of the abundance and richness of the soul. A creative writer’s role is not to inform the reader, but to address that special need everyone has to be moved by words and made part of a “poetic universe”. Poetry is all around us, but we often ignore its power. It is the poet’s skills that will unveil the beauty of a well-guarded emotional secret. When the “secret” is out, when the reader is part of the emotional process, the writer fulfilled its destiny.

By poet I don’t necessarily mean people who write poetry; to a certain extent all writers are poets. Poetry is the art that can express in a concentrated and emotional, but mostly metaphoric form a universal truth as well as a simple and powerful human emotion.

Any form of great writing will bring the reader into the rainbow world of its master. Every emotion will open a door to the unseen and a window to the unknown. Good writing will make personal experiences resonate with millions of people. A talented writer is the voice of all humanity and will masterfully bring to the surface emotions buried deep into a silent world.

The mission has never been to address just the selected few, but to enchant the ones who never ventured into the poetic world so present around us, but still so hidden.

Some will argue that a writer has to keep us informed and share public concerns; I will say no to that. We have journalists and we have the internet, we have newspapers and television; they deal with facts and may stir passion and plenty of emotions, but not creative ones.

Information is great and Google is a master, but somehow it has always failed to emotionally engage me; call me old fashion, but I often get a pleasant thrill when I read a poem that takes me deep into the sunset and makes my skin feel the breeze of the sleeping sun as I hear the lullaby of the poet.

Is great writing a skill that can be learned? To some degree it is; there are some rules and there are some techniques that may be helpful and will probably turn a regular person into an average writer and may even turn an average writer into a good one. Learning and following certain techniques is a first step, but developing a creative spirit takes more. For the ones who believe that having the right ingredients and knowing how to mix them in proper order will ensure writing success, I would say “go ahead and bake a cake instead”.

When it comes to greatness, talent is what it takes. Talent is a gift that should not go to waste, so hard work is still required to bring a raw diamond to its full brilliance.

Practice is important and the benefits of hard work are plenty, but not sufficient; Salieri’s persistence as opposed to Mozart’s geniality is a perfect example.

 

 

Reviews

[lee von cleef]

A mission to give to people who don't know they can......feel, even as I question what right do I have to invade their minds and prick emotions they have so cleverly ignored? To expand a world closing in so fast ? To lay light their heavy hearts ? What right have I ? None, but I will spur their bellies, whip their loins, fan their embers,and quench the cotton of their thoughts. Choosing choice.

[Petra Vlah]

I am not exactly sure how to interpret your comment. The choice to pick up a book OR not is up to the reader and if they do decide to "get involved", it is precisely because they have a "need" to have their mind and their soul "invaded" by emotions

[lee von cleef]

I like your piece.I like peace too. And on that thought I struggle.What should be protected ? Innocence ? Youth ? Who has the right ? Duty to draw lines ? Barriers to save a soul ? Yes I struggle.on a lot of the grey world we live in.

[Petra Vlah]

Art, in all its forms, has always been about engaging the soul. In my opinion, artists are not supposed to protect innocence or youth or anything else for that matter, they are meant to stir emotions and reveal a hidden world, making it available to the ones willing to explore new dimensions of existence

[lee von cleef]

Give 'em a dull blade the first time you set them loose to whittle their Soul, Please.

[Vincent Moore]

Petra, I am thankful to have been among some great writers the last 3 years, I never wrote a lick of poetry before then. Writing to me was mostly business letters and the odd hand written letter to a friend of many years. However haven found my voice, I have been able to dig deep from my well of past experience to enable me to lay down words that appear to stir the hearts and minds of many of my readers. I am not a gifted writer, simply a man who wants to share what he sees before him. I visualize very well an my imagery plays a great role in how well my piece will come across to a reader. You have touch on so many exciting reasons on what does it take to be a great writer. I am so pleased to be able to read your work again as it appears here, you my friend are a very talented, gifted writer. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this subject. Many will be able to relate to it.

[Petra Vlah]

You should know by now that you are more than just a simple man, Vincent. Your gift for touching people hearts and minds (through poetry and prose alike) made you the success you are today and I am so very happy to see such well deserved rewards

[Vincent Moore]

Thank you my friend for your very generous words. Yes I have been inspired by many and you my dear certainly are one of my inspirations. I felt your work when I read it and those are certainly signs of a good writer, an experience with a writer on their journey. You take us always on an exciting adventure. I am very content after reading your work.

[Pete Langley]

Petra, you have it so right! I find your dissertation on creativity and originality in writing greatly insightful and illuminating. The ability to delve the very essence of emotion in words is rare...and rarer still is producing real music in those words, whether in poetry or prose. More power to your pen - and welcome. P.

[Petra Vlah]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for welcoming me to this community of creative writers. I will be over to read some of your work soon