What Makes A Good Writer?
On problem-solvers and provocateurs
Modern writers are paid to get clicks.
To have their ideas heard, they must reach an audience. And that is not easy. If you want to offer others something worth reading, you must first draw them in.
Sharp writing provokes readership. But provoking others just for attention is wrong.
So where is the line?
The pen cuts both ways.
If you stir controversy, you are bound to get some engagement. But that cannot be the point. Your wit can either bring clarity or add to the noise.
There is a thin line to be walked.
The internet economy runs on attention.
Pushing buttons gets you attention. This tempts writers to trigger readers and forget to add value. However, edginess itself is not the issue.
When a subject is loaded, it means there is a problem underneath. That problem needs solving.
If you work towards solutions, you are providing a valuable service (even if it upsets people).
Being controversial is not unethical in itself.
It is how you go about it. Some writers try to inform their audience on sensitive matters. But some writers simply use sensitive matters for personal gain.
Provocation awards you attention. Attention can be exchanged for clicks, money, and status.
The question is whether you offer value in return.
Digital snakeoil salesmen do exist.
They strike nerves, but offer nothing of substance. It is a form of manipulation. Still, it does work sometimes.
The true writer is thought-provoking and therefore provocative. But he delivers insight, not outrage.
He does not use the reader; he respects him.
Crudely, writing is divided into four categories.
Some writing provides no insight and gets no engagement. Some of it gets engagement, but delivers no value. There is also highly valuable writing that no one reads.
But the remaining category is the one to aim for: highly valuable and highly engaging.
Great writing is incisive. It cuts through complex issues in simple language. That provides it with a rare combination of depth and accessibility.
It requires skill.
The best writers distill complexity into simplicity. From the moment you read them, it is obvious they are worth reading. The engagement is natural.
There is no excuse, because quality and clicks can coexist.
Intricate problems need clear solutions.
Solving them has merit. But with intricacy comes controversy. That makes it a risky endeavour.
This is the writer’s burden.
In theory, the greater his problem, the greater the value of his work. But there are two equal challenges. First, he has to solve the problem; then he has to explain the solution.
Controversy does not help. Finishing a puzzle is harder in a minefield.
It is a worthwhile, but arduous pursuit.
Editing is a useful tool.
If there is merit in your text, revising it is like polishing a gemstone. Remove the clutter, and you reveal the value. The end product shines all the brighter.
To edit well is to lay your ideas bare.
Engagement-seeking, thus, is not wrong per se.
It is only wrong if you produce quackery. So long as you do not waste others’ time, you are fine. If you produce good work, you deserve a readership - and should seek it out.
The honest salesman draws attention to something worth buying. The huckster just draws attention.
But both are on the market.
To justify the hook, you must provide something to chew on.
Wisdom is worth chewing on. Outrage is not. You may hijack attention, but you will be exposed.
Pure provocation can win for a while, but not forever.
Fundamentally, the writer has two tasks:
He maximizes value. And he reduces complexity. The result is beautiful:
Every word earns its place.
Here we find the clear distinction between problem-solvers and provocateurs. The former leaves the reader enlightened. The latter leaves him in the dark.
Good writers provoke thoughts first, feelings second.
On social media, everyone faces a false dilemma.
We think we have to choose between quality and clicks.
But it does not have to be a tradeoff. High-value content can get high engagement. The question is whether you sharpen your work.
You can polish your gems. It is tiresome, but a skill.
Honour the craft, and find the treasure you seek.