I've always wanted to be an actor...winning the Oscars and everything. I even practiced my speech when I was younger, remember to thank my dog, Nichoe (who, bless his heart, has been resting in peace since, oh, I don't know, ten years ago?) too.
It's funny that now, as a freelance writer, I am doing all of that without the camera, the spotlight, the screaming fans, the throngs of men lusting after my photoshopped poster over their bed.
You see, a writer's got to do what a writer's got to do - write. Without prejudice and by stepping into the client's shoes and for that moment, be the client. If a writer can't do that, I just don't see much future for this person.
In the modern world that we live in, a software can write an article, trust me on this one, but a software cannot write with emotion. That is the advantage we have over the stuff we can buy off the internet today and get it to churn out 'reading material' (that is hardly read-worthy) and if we want to be successful as a writer, we need to make use of that. The mush inside our skulls.
You could be commissioned to write a blog for a Telco company without knowing what Telco stands for when you are a freelance writer. I was once a top writer for the topic 'ATV' and you know what? I have never ever SEEN an ATV over here, much less ride on one. But learning all about it, reading it, watching it on YouTube, feeling the enthusiasm, understanding the fanatism and then diving deep into the topic did the trick.
Writers need to be so versatile that they can jump into another person's life and feel it. And then put it down in words, just like an actor. The only difference is that the actor puts it on film while writers put it in words.
So, if one asked me what makes a good writer, I would answer that a good writer is someone who can feel whatever he or she is writing. Is able to grasp the whole concept, understand the point, and then put it in such a way that it enthralls others who read it.
This is not to say that I profess to be a good one because I veer off track once in a while when bad mood hits, but the point is, a good writer is a sensitive one with the ability to step into another person's shoes and has the ability to express those emotions and intentions in words.
Comments
The difference is that writers play with words, to convey a certain emotion, while actors convey delicate emotions through acting.
Marsha, you're definitely an effective emo writer in my book! Your articles are a pleasure to read, because of this understanding you have. Priceless gift!