What’s up with all the bad writers who think they can write?

Art directors, executive assistants, lawyers, CEOs, and yes, even fellow marketers, express with great confidence that they are great writers. To me, proclaiming that you are a great writer is no different from saying that you can sing – and not Pop Princess Britney Spears smoke-and-mirrors kind of singing. I mean real singing, where you can close your eyes, and the emotion, sound and tone of the voice truly moves the listener, transporting them to a whole new place.

The parallel between great writing and great singing is much the same. For instance, writing should be poignant, thoughtful, extremely deliberate, and even sometimes a wee bit manipulative. Well-written words should move the reader to respond either emotionally or physically. And to some, it may seem shocking, but not everyone who has a command of the 26 letters in the English alphabet can do it. This is correct — your hairdresser, who may be able to fashion a good phrase while creating a clever coif, more than likely cannot intelligently inscribe.

So many feel they can decipher literary loveliness, and that is where the problem lies. However, throughout the years, I have been able to take note of three simple statements that sound like a blaring warning signal – not so different from that of a foghorn warning ships. If you hear any of the following statements, it is strongly advised that all accomplished writers run, sprint or plainly disappear as quickly as possible:

1. “I am a good writer.” Again, visit Britney Spears example above. 
2. “I could write if only I had the time.” Translation – anyone can write, and honestly, I am disappointed that I must pay for something that my personal trainer could do. 
3. “I write all the time for work.” What? I see absolutely no correlation.

Clearly, this is a bit of a prickly subject for me, but writing is an area of expertise. And, if I might be so bold, I can quite adeptly judge good writing. Why, you might ask? Because I think. I think a lot, and then I think even more — about the words, the meaning, the order and then how it appears on the page. Perhaps I should call it writing acumen.

So instead of asking yourself, “Can that singer really sing?” Ask yourself, “Can that writer really write?” And if you aren’t so sure, feel free to ask any of the ladies at Philosophy – all are literary snobs.