Michael T. Hare

Have you ever wondered if you’re a good writer? Chances are, you have probably done so on multiple occasions and may be in the process of doing so now. But what is a good writer?

My raw definition of a good writer is someone who tells stories because they love to, and they consider their audience by prioritizing clarity in those stories. But even so, writers still struggle with their craft in a variety of ways.

In today’s post, I’ll focus on two common obstacles writers face and give a little advice on both at the end.

Alright, here is our first scenario. All you’re favorite books have fancy words and massive worldbuilding, but attempting that in your own story just fries your brain. You hate writing those things with every fiber of your being, yet you want to be as good as the so-called ‘big leagues.’ You see, sometimes our feelings of inadequacy come from the fact that we’re pushing ourselves to do things we don’t want to do, things we believe we should do.

But maybe that isn’t you. Perhaps you genuinely have a desire to use the fanciest words, the most flowery of language, and craft the most expansive world. You’re frustrated, practically pulling your hair out because it JUST WON’T WORK! It doesn’t sound like your inspirations.

Both situations can make you feel like a bad writer, but the true definition of a bad writer isn’t ‘someone who is stuck.’ The definition of a bad writer is ‘someone who gives up.’

In our first situation, the key is being true to yourself and remembering that nothing the world says is valid. This planet is opinionated and twisted and crazy and a bunch of other words I don’t have time to type. I mean, there’s a reason God tells us not to be of it. As long as you focus on clarity in your writing, you won’t go wrong. And hey, just to throw it out there, most of the writers I love don’t use the fanciest words. Instead, they tell a good story and drop a few colorful synonyms here and there. I recommend watching this video by S.D. Smith when it comes to using words, as they were a significant milestone for me in my early writing years. I think you might find it helpful.

In our second situation, I hate to say it, but patience will serve you best. During this somewhat frustrating period of time, it’s essential to strike a balance between not becoming hyperfixated on your story and not leaving it in the dust. Something I would encourage you to do is talk about your story with friends and family; some of my best ideas emerge in the midst of conversation or bouts of venting, and I’ve wiggled out of some pretty bad spots. Now, if you’re anything like me, you often compare yourself to other writers—their worldbuilding, creatures, plots, characters, etc. I want to reference a video I watched, where John Cena says that ‘Comparison is the thief of joy.’ Keep working, don’t compare, and you’ll find your way. I promise. I’ve been there before and will continue to be there in my stories to come.

Good workers don’t always love their work. They just do it. And that makes them good workers. As writers, we sometimes feel like we hate our passion, as it comes with as just many challenges as blessings. And today, I only discussed two of the many things we face. It’s a hard road, but as the western states taught me, those often lead to the most beautiful of views.

Until our next meeting, traveler.