7 Traits of Remarkable Writers
Over the course of my writing time, over ten years now, I’ve met many writers, read many books, and studied authors. And I studied more than how they applied the craft to their stories. I studied how they applied themselves to their writing.
The truly remarkable writers I’ve met all seem to have character or personality traits that make them stand out. And this doesn’t apply to only published authors. Many aspiring writers display these same traits as they continue to write and pursue publication.
Diligence
Remarkable writers are diligent. Another word might be discipline. They write, most of them every day. Others with family or work obligations, diligently plan their schedules to free up as much writing time as possible. They are dedicated to writing and to improving their craft.
Patient
Patience is not simply waiting. Patience is striving during the waiting. Remarkable writers recognize the road to learning the craft and to publication can be long and filled with potholes and construction delays. They recognize their responsibility to keep writing, to create the best stories they can, to cling to their dreams on being writers, knowing God will open the right door at the right time. They prepare themselves to walk through it when it does.
Faithful
They are faithful to their calling. They are faithful in their relationship with God. They are faithful to their families, fellow writers, and critique groups.
Learners
They never stop learning no matter how much success they’ve had. They read and re-read books on writing. They work with critique partners. They attend conferences, seminars, and webinars. Not just to network but to sit in workshops and take notes and ask questions. To be at a conference and have writers like Randy Ingermanson and Liz Curtis Higgs in the same workshop, learning just as I am, is inspiring.
Givers
I’ve yet to meet a remarkable writer who was not a giver. They give of their time and talent to teach workshops, to mentor and coach small groups or individual writers. They pay forward what others have invested in them.
Readers
They read. Voraciously. Their genre. Other genres. Books on writing. They read to learn, to find some nugget, no matter how small, that they can apply to their own writing.
Their stories do more than entertain. They carry out their calling to write stories inspired by God. They explore themes and issues. They take ordinary characters and put them in extraordinary circumstance to how us how to live Christ-centered lives and confront the problems we face in the real world.
Can you think of other traits you’ve seen in remarkable writers?
Do you see any of these traits in yourself?
I was so happy to see your list of traits in great writers! I see myself in most of them, and I had never really thought about it before.
However, I am not a great writer, just a mom blogging away about her kiddos. I try to make them humorous and readable.
Good post, Henry. I really relate to “Purposeful Story Tellers,” but I think “PATIENT” needs to be in all-caps. The rest are right on. 🙂
Just what I needed to hear today – thanks, Henry!
You’re welcome, Rachelle. I’m glad it ministered to you in some way.
I like how Habakkuk 2:3 reminds me to be patient in my writing. The Living Bible says: “Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”
Hi Linda,
Thanks for visiting my website and leaving a comment. The key thing to remember is diligence and He will take care of the rest.
Great post, Henry. Patience is the toughest for me. I know HE knows when He’s going to open a particular door, but it’s not so easy at this end 🙂
Blessings,
Deb
Deborah,
I know what you mean. Patience is my toughest one, too. I have to keep remembering Habakkuk 2:2-3.
Blessings.
Henry, thank you for the reminder that God has perfect timing…even when I feel He might be dragging His feet (or actually, His whole body weight). I will persevere. Love how you said it’s striving during the waiting… My husband and I were just talking about that the other day.
What are you working on now?
Hi Marney,
It’s good to hear from you. Thank you for commenting on my blog. It blesses me.
It was quite a learning experience for me to realize the waiting is a time of preparation for the next step in His plan and it’s on me to do my part.
Right now, I’m working on a ghostwriting project for a pastor at a local church and I’m writing a fantasy novel. I enjoy reading fantasies but this is the first time I’ve dipped my foot in the water.
How about you?
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