The Skillful Writer

A skillful writer is one who respects and continually hones his/her craft. There are as many opinions on what it takes to become a skillful writer as there are writers. Many of them are worth considering, especially when they are the opinions of seasoned, successful writers. In The Skillful Writer: What separates the pros from the amateurs, every chapter begins with a quote from a best-selling author or a well-known expert in his/her field.

For example, an observation from Maya Angelou”— “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have”—sets the stage for a chapter on creative writing. The art of discipline is addressed by Dr. Seuss, and permission to write a very messy first draft by Lawrence Block. Harper Lee shares her feelings about handling criticism, and Michael Jordan, who isn’t an author, explains a subject he knows well: how to overcome obstacles.

These quotes are all inspirational, and that’s just how they are used—as inspiration for each chapter on some aspect of skillful writing. Veteran author Bobbi Linkemer brought her own interpretation of other authors’ words. When Annie Dillard, author of Bird by Bird, encouraged writers to “Give it, give it all, give it now,” Bobbi wrote, “Annie Dillard is a professional. Professionals make a mess and go back and clean it up later. I think she means, when you sit down to write, give it everything you’ve got. Don’t tidy your sentences as you go. Get in a state of flow or the zone or whatever you call it.”

Here is a list of topics covered in the book. The book can be read a little at a time or straight through and the chapters in any order that appeals to the reader.

1. Alchemy: Writing Through Tough Times

2. Back to Basics: The Art of Writing

3. Consider Your Options

4. Creativity Multiplies

5. Discipline Can Be Learned

6. Don’t Hold Back

7. Don’t Waste Words

8. Eight Hours a Day

9. Explain it in Plain English

10. Give Yourself Permission

11. How to Keep Your Reader Hooked

12. If It Sounds Like Writing, Rewrite It

13. Learning to Live With Criticism

14. Learning to Write

15. Organization: The Key to Writing a Book

16. Perfection Is in the Eye of the Beholder

17. Punctuation Rules Writers Must Know

18. Read First … Then Write

19. Read Other Writers

20. Real Writers

21. Six Essential Rules Every Writer Should Follow

22. Stephen King Doesn’t Like Adverbs

23. The Desire to Write

24. The Life You Don’t Choose

25. The Magic of Talent

26. The Power of Ideas

27. The Problem With Works in Progress

28. The Right Word

29. The Secret of Good Writing

30. Why Grammar Counts

31. Will You Write or Won’t You?

32. Write for Your Ideal Reader

33. Write One True Sentence

34. Write to Make A Difference

35. Write What Disturbs You

36. Writers “Just Do It”

37. Writing: Art or Craft?

In thirty-seven brief chapters, best-selling authors and other celebrities provide the foundation for advice on how to develop the necessary skills to become a pro. Writing this book was a learning experience for the author. It was also fun, and it is an exercise every writer should try. First, find a meaningful quote that applies to writing in some way. Type it at the top of the page, take a moment to think about what it means to you, and start writing. Let your mind run free. Allow yourself to get in a state of flow. The process is liberating, and results will amaze you.