What makes a good writer?

[TomOfSweden]

As a fiction writer one must learn to lie convincingly.

I've heard that one too. I don't buy it. I can't lie convincingly for shit. If I just make it up it sucks. I always have to describe a real person in a real situation I remember but change things like size or scope. Minor things, but which of course can have major implications.

[Mad Lews]

I always have to describe a real person in a real situation I remember but change things like size or scope. Minor things, but which of course can have major implications.

And this is not a convincing lie, hung on the bones of experience? This is some fundamental truth that I missed?

I'll buy that one.

Mad