I think about my favorite writers all the time. I try to dissect what makes them so great. As if I discover these secrets, then all my struggles as a writer will be solved. I try to go deeper than unique characterization, compelling dialogue, plot development, and good pace to the very underpinnings—the atomic layer beneath.
What makes these elements fantastic? What is it exactly that makes a made-up world tangible to readers?
After much pondering, I decided that the following three traits transforms a good writer to a great writer.
1) Self-awareness
In order to understand the motivations and reactions of characters in your imagined world, it is essential that you understand your motivations and reactions in your world. Only through knowing yourself (the nitty-gritty) can you create characters that others can identify with.
2) Observation
Writers need to listen closely when others speak, overhear strangers talk, notice how people move when they are reacting. What do people look like when they’re mad, embarrassed, impatient, depressed…etc? In order to take your readers from the clichéd universal descriptions, a great writer needs to pay attention to all those little things many don’t take notice of.
3) Exceptional Memory
Of course memory is essential. No one pulls dialog purely from their imagination. It all comes from memory. Maybe not one specific memory where everything you wrote actually occurred, but it all comes from memory of all the observations that you have gathered over your lifetime. How far would a writer get with a bad memory?
As much as writers can improve their writing skills from attending classes, reading whatever they can get their hands on, and instructional books; these three traits are unfortunately not learned. I believe these are the gifts great writers are born with. Do you agree? Are there other inborn traits that make a great writer?
laurenwaters 
The ability of being a hermit? Being able to sit for long ours entertaining yourself. Enjoying your characters conversations enough to fill that need for others? Maybe that means a slight bit of crazy?
: )
Imagination!
Imagination (slightly crazy) is a great one! I should add that to the list 🙂
Lauren, you are always thought-provoking and a pleasure. I’m excited to see a side of you via real mail too – as well as your books!
Indeed workshops aren’t be all / end all of success. I re-wrote my blog for clarity of a bad experience. We can get advice without them. Joanne Rowling was warned she wouldn’t make money with kids’ books. Tell the story that comes to us instead of ‘what sells’: write what we know. I completely agree honing skills is essential and natural ability factors too. There’s a reason it’s called being “gifted”.
I will consider your 3 points. They sound right. Killer memory, yay!
So maybe being stubborn is a helpful trait of writers! Not easily swayed from your style and not afraid to be different.
You must know “Ironic”, “You Oughta Know” by rocker Alanis Morissette. The album “Jagged Little Pill” is actually her 3rd. She was discovered as a teen in the late 80s, known as ‘Alanis’ to Canadians. She sang pop that producers expected to sell. She didn’t feel like herself. It bothered her enough to risk her career to do HER thing and it paid off.
No matter what I think it always pays to stay true to who you are. Thanks so much for sharing about Mildred. It would be so hard to not have your name on something that was so famous.
Erin: I agree!
Starting to get a little worried! I have a horrible memory! Sometimes, I forget why I’m so upset in the middle of an argument LOL
Observation is essential. I’m going to pay more attention to this!
Someone who forgets what they are angry about in the middle of a fight—that would make a great character! I will alter my memory gift with a side note that good note taking skills can make up for it 🙂
Hey…you’re right! lol Thanks, Lauren! 😀
Being able to mimic people. When I write I usually use somebody I know as a character and because I can mimic them, I can write their dialog as they would say it themselves. I believe that this gives my story some punch as each character is as different as they are real.
Hey, I’m good at that!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Robert! Mimicry is an excellent addition! I know exactly what you mean by they are as different as they are real.What a great way of describing it.
Let me offer a renound example. What would you rather, paycheques or full credit? Every heard of Mildred A. Wirt? A shame. Mildred is the real ‘Carolyn Keene’! It is she who was paid to write the first 22 “Nancy Drew” stories! It was decades before she was permitted to reveal herself. She has her own ‘mysteries for girls’ superior to the Nancy ones. Because they are less famous, I may frequent used stores for years to find them.
What a great post! This is so true. To have real, memorable characters, we need to be more aware of people and conversations around us. Thanks so much for this.
Thank you so much! It’s great to interact with creative folks again. To reply to Riedel Fasination’s comments I add: One of the best Sci-Fi writers of all time was a writer named Andre Norton who was really a woman: Alice Mary Norton. She wrote science fiction under a man’s name to be accepted back then. I do believe I’ve read all of her books and suggest them to all.
Those are all great things to be born with! But I think a level of comprehension beyond observation is necessary – to understand the whys of human nature. 🙂 This is a great post, Lauren! 🙂
You’re so right. Writers need to go deeper than sheer observation—a level of motivation has to be understood. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Great post! I like to dissect my favorite books too. There are so many layers to a novel, it’s hard to figure out exactly what makes a book successful sometimes. The suggestions you made are really insightful. If I had to try to think of another for the list, I guess I’d say imagination —or — the power to envision things that have been done before in a fresh, new way. I find that’s hard to do. It’s easy to imagine new worlds and stories and come up with ideas, but to do it in a way that’s fresh and doesn’t borrow to heavily from other works is tough.
I completely agree, reinvention is key for successful writer. Even though it might be a subtle change, a writer must strive to make their mark. Adding something unique to a ocean full of talent.
Thanks for noticing my part, Robert! I feel commenters solely reply to blog owner. Your recommendation is appreciated. Is sci-fi far from fantasy?
Writerlious, amen. I just told my guy I think of a million articles (very fond of today’s). I can do description, dialogue… damned if I let myself make anything up! I have a story in progress but can’t believe the force required to supress attempting 100% originality. Fighting my accuracy habit is enough without monitoring that.
I love these! So true, too. Lack of inhibition is one that comes to mind as something a great writer possesses. When I really connect with a writer, it’s usually because they hit on something so profound that only someone who is not inhibited would even dare go there.
I completely agree, those moments of shock give you the best window to the human condition. I need to try to open up more when I write—say things in a way that no one else would dare. That’s what makes a writer unique (and why I love your blog!). Thanks for stopping by Diane!
I also thought of you when I recently received two blogging awards. I listed you to receive them as well. Stop by and pick them up! 🙂
Thanks so much, Diane. I laughed so hard when I read your 5 things about you. You crack me up.
Yes. This. ^^^^^^^^
Such a great post. It’s amazing what discipline can do… I’ve found it very helpful with my productivity 😉
It really has helped me so much. Haven’t broken the chain yet!
I agree with everything you just said. I’ve attended workshops and writers conferences and well, you’re right—the 3 things mentioned above are not taught. Writers are usually born with them. I also think all writers have to have a wild and creative imagination. Creating stories in our heads happen naturally. It definitely helps to have good observation and exceptional memory in order to write descriptively and take readers for a ride they will always remember.
I think it was Hemingway who said to pay attention to detail. Details like how the trees swayed, or the wind blew, or how someone smiled. All these things add value to a story.
Great post. 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by, Corey! I love your writing tips and have lived vicariously through your writing trip in PARIS 😮 That would be a dream! I appreciate the time you’ve taken to let your followers know all you’ve learned.
That’s funny that Hemingway was one to say that detail is so important since he is known for so little detail, but that probably only means his details would have to hold so much more weight. The more novels you write, the more you have to find different ways of saying some the same things. I carry a little notepad around with me everywhere and when I look at something differently I jot it down. When I’m searching for little touches I just roll through my little random notebook 🙂