What makes a good writer?

[Domtotrain]

Certainly, it is not grammar or punctuation. It is quesionable that you must even learn these skills. As an example, I offer e.e. cummings.

What I do think makes a good writer even more than imagination, although it is a part of imagaination, is the ability to make the reader experience what it is you see in your head. Is the reader there? What is the reader thinking while they are reading. Are they so wrapped up in the characters that they dont see you have misspelled words, or not used quotation marks? If they can put the story down and say, "Wow, I liked that. I wish it hadnt ended." Then you may be called a writer, regardless of technique, style, imagination, or punctuation. The abiiity to make yourself understood by someone elses. To grok someone or to make them grok you.

IMHO

[Dragon's muse]

What I do think makes a good writer even more than imagination, although it is a part of imagaination, is the ability to make the reader experience what it is you see in your head. Is the reader there? What is the reader thinking while they are reading.
IMHO

That is what i meant when i talked about creatng a sense of "authentic existence"

[moptop]

Certainly, it is not grammar or punctuation. It is quesionable that you must even learn these skills. As an example, I offer e.e. cummings.

Domtotrain, e.e.cummings is one of my favourite poets, but I can't agree with you linking lack of skill/knowledge, and his name!

He is a writer who has fully mastered his skills, and who has consciously chosen a means of expression and experimentation with language and form, to push both his own and the reader's limits - not to accept the norms, to find a wider freedom, but through explicit choice. When he wants to use punctuation, capitalisation, etc., it then has all the more impact. But it is important, I believe, to understand that he is manipulating the language and its effect through conscious choice, not through ignorance. That makes it all the richer.

That does not mean that people who have not got the knowledge of grammar, language etc are not able to produce good/beautiful/valuable work; but I personally believe that as with any craft or art, you will become more powerful and effective, and better able to express yourself with freedom, if you master the tools first.

Hope this isn't taken as a rant - it's not meant to be. But yes, I am passionate about language