Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

хιao
Lv 5
хιao asked in Arts & HumanitiesBooks & Authors · 1 decade ago

Writers: What do you think classifies as "good writing"?

A good majority of the questions types here are "help me with my homework" and "feedback on my paragraph". I find the latter interesting because no matter what, there is always vast opinion. What I find terrible, someone else could find fantastic. So I was wondering, what do you guys consider "good writing"? What makes a "good writer"? What makes a "bad writer"?

BQ: Besides writing, what other hobbies do you have?

BQ2: When was the last time you felt discouraged?

BQ3: Do you think you're a good writer?

BQ4: How is your day going today?

Update:

@Wanderer: My day just started (It's 6:40AM here), but so far, it's going quite well. Thank you for asking~

Interesting answers, everyone! I'm also quite proud to see music and videos games for the first BQ. P:

15 Answers

Relevance
  • Kelly
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I think good writing is when there is character development throughout the book. I think good writing is when the writer can go on and on about the description of a red lamp and not once lose the reader's attention. I think good writing is when a writer could describe a cathedral from the 1500's with stunning stain glass windows, and beautifully carved pews, and have the reader get a perfect image of it inside their head, all with in just one or two sentences.

    A good writer can make the reader laugh and cry, a good writer can make the reader be so mad they want to throw something, and so happy they get tears of joy. A good writer keeps the reader on their toes, and always has them wondering what's next. A good writer makes you feel love for the inanimate object called a book. A good writer even makes you feel hate for the inanimate object called a book. A good writer doesn't tell the story, but rather shows the story. A good writer can make you question everything you ever believed.

    A good writer has good sentences structure. A good writer makes you sit there in awe of their wittiness. A good writer is clever with their descriptions. A good writer knows when to follow and break the "writer's guidelines." A good writer makes the reader passionate about the story. A good writer makes terribly cliche` plot original. A good writer writes good books.

    BQ: It's times like this that a feel terribly awkward. Because that's always the first question somebody asks you when you first meet. "So what do you like to do for fun?" And really, reading and writing are about the only hobbies I have. I don't play any instruments, and I've never really been into sports. Things like fashion don't interest me in the least. And I have a strong dislike of most animals. I guess I like arguing. And music. And... I have quite the bland personality.

    BQ2: Last time I felt discouraged? Um, I honestly can't remember. People around me insist that I have memory problems, and that I recall things that never happened. I think I must get it from my mother.

    BQ3: I think that I'm an okay writer for my age and experience. Better than Stephanie Meyer or Cornelia Funke, anyway.

    BQ4: My day has been pretty good! I babysat my niece today, who happens to be the cutest little premature six-month-old anyone ever saw.

    Good question. I'd give you a hundred stars if I could. Unfortunately that would mean me making 99 other accounts, which I just don't have time for at the moment.

  • 1 decade ago

    This is a loaded question, really, and I am unsure how to answer. The thing is, everyone will have a different opinion. Ergh-- sometimes I hate being wishy washy-- there have been quite a few questions I am on the fence about today. =P Bad writing will quickly show itself both by it's fans and it's haters. *cough*

    Moving on...

    BQ: I love the outdoors. I used to hike a lot-- not so much since I moved to the city and probably not again for a while.

    BQ2: Ummm... Everyday for the last few weeks.

    BQ3: Yes. Other might disagree and that's fine with me. I know I am not a *fantastic* writer.

    BQ4: I took a few days off from work and my professors are letting me pretty much do what I want right now-- submitting assignments over e-mail and corresponding the same way-- even my other midterms they are letting me do as take home projects. Today-- I have been absolutely lazy.

    How about you, friend?

  • 1 decade ago

    1. A good writer has proper structure, a good and original plot, complete sentences, and something that really gets you interested. Usually, people judge writing on the storyline, which isn't always what classifies something as "good writing."

    2. Other hobbies I have are flute, piano, preforming arts, dance, art (drawing, painting, etc.) swimming, softball, ice skating, and shopping.

    3. When my parents told me I was going no where in life.

    4. Yes, I honestly do think I am a good writer. Descent would probably describe me better though. I know I can write well, I almost always get positive feedback, but there are always things that need to be improved.

    5. Very well, thank you. I got a nice looking report card, and I started writing something new.

  • 1 decade ago

    A good writer is able to say what they need to in as few words as possible, yet manages to create a vivid, detailed picture of what is happening - I hate it when writing feels cluttered and filled with unnecessary adjectives. A lot of my favorite writers have very original 'voices' and I think that it's a sign of good writing if it 'sounds' different from every other writer on the web. But the main quality of good writing for me is that it makes me want to keep reading - if someone can get me hooked into the story, they must be doing something right!

    BQ: Reading (of course) and swimming - not as part of a team, just for myself! I'm also big into drama and theatre.

    BQ2: About two days ago? I had an idea for a book/story but I couldn't work out a major flaw in the plot... very irritating and discouraging. In the end I started writing something else to give myself a break and take my mind off it. Now I'm finding that I actually quite like what I came out with...

    BW3: I like to think I'm adequate, but never perfect!

    BW4: Good, thanks for asking! :)

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • 1 decade ago

    It's quite an expansive question really and I could go on all night listing them. But my main beef is writers who give out too much information when I start to read something. I think a good writer must be able to hold back the details you want but without dragging his or her feet in doing so.

    BQ: I play the guitar and I LOVE movies

    BQ2: Every couple of hours while writing. I'm my own harshest critic.

    BQ3: No, Nor should I. Nor should anyone. There is always room for improvement

    BQ4: My day is almost over, and I can't wait for the next one.

    How has your day been?

    Edit: Have a nice day

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I think good writing is all dependent on the way the writing is received. I am thirteen, and am an avid writer. I love nothing more than to spend hours immersing myself in books, thinking of ways I could adapt them into my own. What makes writing good for me, is writing which actually speaks to me. Writing which actually moves me somehow, and makes me feel differently to how I felt before opening the book. A writer who has an impact on you, a writer which has an impact on the writing industry, makes good writing.

    A bad writer is someone who simply "writes." Someone who doesn't feel what they write, and doesn't see that what they are writing is pure **** because they haven't put themselves in the reader's shoes. I simply CANNOT stand that!!

    BQ: I do karate :)

    BQ2: Today I felt discouraged, when my brother and me had a fight and I missed an open target :L

    BQ3: I'd like to hope so :)

    BQ4: My day is going good thank you !! :)

    Well..... I know that's not really the best, in-depth answer, but I hope it helps somehow.

    Cheers :)

    Source(s): Me :)
  • 1 decade ago

    I guess a good writer is someone who's enthusiastic in what they do and have the determination to get better at their writing.

    Now good writing I believe is when an author can get the reader so engrossed in the book that they can't put it down until the end, thats what I believe is good writing but everyones different.

    I draw and paint Read lots of books. play the ps3. Watch lots of films and anime. do gardening and day dream :P

    When my younger sister said I could do better things in my spare time and I think she said that it wasn't a big deal that I've written a novel.

    I could be a good writer but theres loads of room for improvement.

    Today was a lazy day of the usual sitting about the house and writing. I'm just thankful that my boyfriend has a tv as we don't back home haha :}

    Source(s): I
  • Doug
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Good writing is when the writer understands that their purpose is not to push the reader through the story, pointing out every little detail, but to lead them gently along a wide path, allowing them to see things for themselves. Writing fiction is about giving the reader as few details as possible and letting their imagination fill in the gaps, yet still holding their interest and providing what is needed, when it is needed.

    BQ1: Video-games, working out, snooker, golf, juggling, reading (kind of goes without saying really), cooking, fell-walking.

    BQ2: The end of August when I received two emails in a row telling me I had been unsuccessful in job applications.

    BQ3: Yes, but I still have a long way to go.

    BQ4: Ok I suppose, not really done much but it was a nice, bright and crisp day and I had a pleasant walk into town (to go to the jobcentre; not so pleasant). I'm now having a bit of a drink and playing Dead Space - hurray for survival horror games...

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Good writing engages the reader regardless of genre. It can make you think, laugh, cry, or it can inspire you. You remember the writing and the person who wrote it even after you've read it. Good writing in the technical sense is grammatically correct, good sentence structure, good flow, and not overly wordy. A bad writer fails from a technical standpoint and when they cannot engage their reader.

    BQ1: Annoying my husband. Heehee. Okay, seriously. Reading, playing on the internet, movies, hanging out with friends. Not so much hobbies than they are activities and interests.

    BQ2: In the past month. I was struggling with my blog and lack of readership. Now, I don't care.

    BQ3: Yes, I do. I do think I need to work on engaging my reader better but after being out of the game for so long it's going to take some real effort on my part.

    BQ4: So far, so good. A bit boring to be honest.

  • 1 decade ago

    I consider a good writer someone who can perfectly (or even get close to perfect) balance their description and dialogue. I hate it when a flashback or story drones on without anyone talking. I also hate it when a character is alone somewhere in the story, thinking to himself/herself. I definitely can't do this yet, but I need a lot of practice still (;

    BQ: Painting, reading, video games, going to interesting places like amusement parks or big cities like Chicago, collecting squished pennies and brochures from those places, etc...

    BQ2: When my friend told me my story was stupid, and it was a Harry Potter wannabe.

    BQ3: Meh. Somewhat, I guess. Better than most people. I almost laughed outloud today when more than half of the sophomores in my English class had no idea what the heck "Third Person Limited" and "Third Person Omniscient" was. xD but I guess I'm just more well-educated than them. That doesn't make me a better writer. I guess I just felt the need to throw that in there (;

    BQ4: Excellent! For the first time in two weeks, I don't have any homework, and I'm free to let my mind wonder the dark corners of what could possibly unfold in the Daxter Locke Chronicles. :D

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.