Bad Writing

Everyone wants to be a writer. I am fortunate enough to work in an industry that has copious amounts of good writing. Unfortunately some editors have the misconception that a good writer and a good editor are one and the same. To be a good writer one has to have a way of painting words in way to influence and captivate their audience. A good editor has the ability to help guide and shape the prose of the author to appeal to the masses while still maintaining its unique edge.

More often than not an editor will dabble in the world of prose only to discover that their writing is too technical. I personally can't get far in writing fiction because after I have written a couple of paragraphs I stop and edit. Even the editing isn't good however because I've lost my objectivity.

My advice to writers is to find a good editor, one that is both objective but nurturing. You need someone who will help guide your creativity in a productive manor. My advice to editors is to simply pick one or the other. If you have the overwhelming desire to write then at least have someone edit for you. A good editor understands and respects the importance of the outside opinion.

Here are a couple of tips I recommend when writing:

1. Do not litter your writing with inside jokes or jokes that are irrelevant to the direction of the writing. It is distracting and comes across as trying too hard.
2. Do not brag about what you are writing about. If you are a journalist and you are writing about music- do not brag about all the free stuff you have.
3. Keep examples to a minimum.
4. Show don't tell. The words should drive the story and should paint the picture. Don't tell me how it is but show me through words.
5. Write about things you know about. If you try to go too far out on a limb the writing often times feels false and fake.