Porträt Baudelaires by Gustave Courbet |
I’m always fascinated by what makes artists tick.
It’s not always a rational pursuit, in fact it’s usually the opposite of a rational pursuit. It’s not something you can prove ahead of time in numbers or formulas or a plan you know is going to work. You’re operating on gut instinct and some ideas and a whole lot of faith.
So what’s the most important quality a writer can possess? What do writers have in common?
There are a lot that spring to mind, but I’m going with determination.
What about you?
TeresaR says
Definitely going with the others who said "insanity".
A. A. Attanasio says
Imagination is an obvious candidate, that distinctly human trait of disordering reason in a systematic way that provokes real emotion.
Elisabeth Grace Foley says
Imagination to begin, perseverance to keep on going.
Susan Tuttle says
For me, its the ability to grow and change – as both a writer and a person. Without that, you're just rehashing what you've already written. (Of course, persistence, passion and the ability to laugh at yourself help, too!)
Robena Grant says
A strong sense of adventure.
EKBalesteri says
A vivid imagination, belief in your work and confidence in your ability.
shadowkindrd says
Gawdawful, sheer cussed stubbornness. That'll get you through all the ups, downs, upside-downs, right-sides up, and everything else that is the writing craze.
Also, knowing WHEN to quit. That's the next thing.
EKBalesteri says
and listening…
EKBalesteri says
and listening beyond just hearing…
Carol Riggs says
Yes, I agree with persistence and passion, but the first thing that came to my mind was: a love of words. 🙂 (ha! my word verification is "happi" LOL)
Sharon Hamilton says
Well, since insanity was already taken, I'd say:
Being easy to start and hard to stop.
Robin Connelly says
knowledge of the ABCs and how to form words with it
wry wryter says
First you must dream of what it is you want to do; then believe you can do it.
Dream.
Believe.
From those two qualities comes all the rest, tenacity, persistence, thick skin, passion, determination, persistence, every single quality stems from the dream and the belief.
Marilyn Peake says
Deep love of creativity and writing.
dcamardo says
coffee
Wendy says
Courage, I think. Putting yourself out there, having faith, having persistence and having determination all ultimately make up courage.
enermazing says
Resilience – to bounce back and stay on track 🙂
marion says
PERSISTENCE!
My first thought, along with JMCooper (who gets the first comment prize) & so many others.
I think that's the only way I'll machete my way through the wilds of revision. In spite of leeches, tsetse flies, etc.
But I still have to listen to my muse, or there's no point.
I agree about feeling misunderstood. But I think it's more a passion to make other people understand your protagonist.
I agree with everyone else, too. Especially about madness.
Congrats. to Jonathan Auxier on publication!
[Verification word: deculath, which is a length of wood I use to connect you with the deck. I mean, I swing the wood and knock you down.]
Melissa Adams says
Feeling humbled to comment when so many erudite writers have already expressed my thoughts, I think the most important quality for a writer is the ability to see the world in an original way + the voice to share that vision with words. Good writers connect the dots creatively, presenting the world through a lens that offers a unique perspective. Like Hemingway, "My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way."
simplysam says
I'm going for blind faith…
Ellis Shuman says
Having something original to say!
S J Bradley says
Bloody-mindedness. And determination. Ok, so that's two, but they sort of cross over.
Adele Richards says
This is all quite intimidating, so I'm going to say that the most important quality for a writer is a love of sandwiches.
What do you know? I qualify.
Phew.
Anonymous says
Courage. Being scared crapless and going forward anyway.
You can't be persistent or passionate or thick-skinned or any of these things if you're not courageous first. They all require major courage.
And you can not be persistent or passionate or thick-skinned or any of these things and still come out okay. You can lack them and be successful.
But not courage. You can't lack courage and ever come out okay.
Karen A. Chase says
Writers have to be comfortable with solitude. In order to really write, we have to spend a lot of time by ourselves. It doesn't mean we are all introverts, but if you don't like your own company, or you can't stand being alone, there will be no time to write.
Lauren says
I'd have to say determination for sure, and perseverance, and a whole lot of faith…
You know who says
Thanks. I needed to hear this today!
Ishta Mercurio says
For me, it's self-motivation combined with discipline. Without those things, I'd never start to write anything. But once I start, I need patience – patience with myself and with the slow process of just getting the story down, patience with critiquers who take time to get back, patience with the editing and revision process, patience while on submission, patience while waiting for the book to reach the shelves once all my work on it is done…
jongibbs says
The ability to enjoy what you're doing, even when it's not fun.
Shilpa says
For me, its persistence. That is so necessary!
Ulysses says
A tough question. I think "most important" depends a lot on what aspect of the writer's life we're discussing. The "I have an idea for a book" state may require one thing above others, while the "Time to promote this book" stage requires something different.
But you said, "writer," and I'm interpreting the question as "what is the most important quality for the production of quality written work?"
Obviously, from the above, it's the ability to use quotation marks around things that aren't actually quotations…
Beyond that, I believe the most important thing is a work ethic. It's the ability to sit down and work, to produce. It's a combination of discipline and dedication. Writing is easy. Writing well is not, and it is easy to be discouraged, to be distracted, to apply only a tiny fraction of the effort your writing requires to become all you can make of it.
Without that, I believe our success becomes less likely. Without that, success becomes a matter of luck or raw talent (much more scarce than luck). It stops being something we can count on or control.
A bunch of other things I think are important:
– Tough skin
– Persistence and stamina
– Willingness to learn
– Ability to learn
– Willingness to make mistakes
– Knowledge of at least the basics of the language
– Creativity
Deri says
A mere few weeks ago, I would have said something along the lines of what has already been said, such as determination, persistence, tenacity, insanity (lol), etc.
However, in light of a recent development, I have to use a word that most people might consider a negative: stubbornness! I have been called stubborn many times for a variety of reasons, although I'm usually a pretty easy going, docile person. I only get stubborn when someone gets in my face and tells me what to do. Well, unfortunately, that has happened to me recently with my writing, and from the single closest person to me.
I was told I was wasting my time, that my pecking away on some silly story wasn't going to get me anywhere, that nothing I was doing would ever amount to anything. I needed to "get serious and be responsible" even though I've been the sole breadwinner for the last 6 years (and I've supported myself financially since I was a teenager.) When confronted with those sentiments, I shut did down in a way, but I kept writing, because I didn't care what he said. That person's words ring in my ears every time I sit down to write, which frankly only pisses me off so that I write that much more. So for right now, the most important quality for me to have is my stubbornness.
Mira says
Deri – wow. That sounds intense – and good for you for keeping on!
I think what you're talking about is fairly common, unfortuantely . In the Artist's Way she talks a bunch about people who will try to kill your dream – usually because they are denying their own dream. And she stresses and how important it is to trust your own creative force, as well as finding voices that will support you in that.
Deri says
Thanks Mira! I was shocked because he'd been supportive before. But now I realize that he thought it was a phase that would pass. I've had some positive things happen to me recently writing-wise, and I think it may just be abject jealousy. I've dealt with negativity before, but nothing like this. I'm so glad I've found an online community to lean on!
Jen P says
Whilst all of these posts touch on characteristics which can help you as a writer, I believe it is the ability to perceive and translate the everyday, the comic and the tragic and the every essence of our existence through words, into something more – whether it is more fun, more understandable, more meaningful, more connected, more disconnected through escapism or more informed, depending on what kind of writing you produce. It is Joan Miró who sums up for me what it is all about: 'I understand that an artist is someone who, in the midst of others' silence, uses his own voice to say something and who makes sure that what he says is not useless, but something useful to mankind.'
Miró in common with many writers, started (painting) using lots of detail, close to a realistic impressionism but his surrealistic work progressed throughout his life continually paring away the forms, his characters, down to their barest elements, he analysed the importance of each stroke in his work and had a tireless energy and creativity. He couldn't not paint, and was sensitive to everything in the world going on around him, from a swaying blade of grass to world politics. That heightened perception and an ability to translate it through art into something that adds value and makes a lasting impression, perhaps even a life changing one, on the viewer and leaves something permanent, is a quality all artists seem to a greater or lesser degree to possess and strive towards, with a greater or lesser degree of self awareness as Miro. He knew what he was doing, and why he was doing it, and he always had a purpose, but he didn't let that purpose get in the way of his creativity. 'The painting rises from the brushstrokes as a poem rises from the words. The meaning comes later.' I think it is a critical quality for a writer – to understand yourself as an artist, to understand your purpose and have that same understanding of others and the world around you.
(As an aside, it was Hemingway who bought Miró's The Farm and said of it, “I would not trade it for any picture in the world.”)
Daniel McNeet says
Nathan,
Discipline. Writing has to be an enjoyable task and incidentally you may make a dollar. If it is money first you will be in a prison for which there is no escape.
Thank you for the post.
The Pen and Ink Blog says
Courage. It's not enough to write it. You have to submit it. And when the contract comes, you have to sign it. Even if it includes the terrifying bit about what happens if someone sues you and the publisher saying you you plagiarized the work.
Ted says
Can't argue with persistence and imagination as critical traits.
But I'll say being a good reader is the most important quality. You have to love the way words look and sound, and love the process of converting them into moving pictures in your mind.
Anonymous says
A good chef needs (inner) charisma. So does every author.
Chantelle Smith says
I'd have to say "talent".
Everything else stems from that.
Matthew MacNish says
Humility.
wendy says
Speaking from personal experience, I'd say that persistence will get you nowhere without faith. I persisted for decades without much hope or confidence. .I now see the error of my ways, but I don't have the determination/passion anymore.
Brett Henley says
I'd offer up "fearless."
Writes toil and struggle under a pile of rejection letters, hopping on the publishing merry-go-round … why not make your own game, and ask for forgiveness later?
Pamala Owldreamer says
Perseverance and a thick skin!
Anonymous says
Your blog has become boring.
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
That may have something to do with my real life being the opposite of boring at the moment.
Alice says
Intelligence. Same as any other art.
Ann M says
Great question, Nathan! And I think your answer might be the most important, too. Because, without that, anything else won't really matter.
I think another good quality is also flexibility. Being open to the changes that your story will (most likely) need to undergo. I'm constantly reminding myself that the story as a whole is more important than any one part.
Suma Subramaniam says
Its got to be passion. Then persistence.
Thanks for sharing your view Nathan!
Best,
Suma.
Matthew Wright says
A writer's most important quality? Can't render that to a word; lots of qualities come into play. Persistence. Enthusiasm. Determination. Optimism. Drive. Marketing skills. Helpings of polymath. Why? Writing's not a single-trick skill – it draws in the whole of a person. And should speak to the whole of a reader. Ideally, anyway – and it's a personal journey, too.
Matthew Wright
https://mjwright.wordpress.com
http://www.matthewwright.net