Writing is a peculiar communication skill designed to transmit information so that it is adequately received or appreciated. If you and I are eye-to-eye when discussing something, you also get to see my facial expressions and body language to decode my words. You can’t see those things in an author’s writing. Because of those limitations, fiction authors often approach writing as an art form that requires mastery. But can writing be mastered?
I think not. Take a hundred writers or editors and there will be disparities in how they tweak a piece. I also suggest it is nearly impossible to identify a single piece of writing that is universally agreed upon as either good or bad. Why? Because there are badly written books that can sell like gangbusters, while a lot of great-quality written books just don’t find the right audience. Moreover, it’s not fair to equate not-so-great sales to a lousy book. It doesn’t work that way—especially in today’s consumer market. No, luck plays a part in a book’s success.
While I try to remain within the guidelines of basic writing practices, I often fall outside those lines. It happens in pursuing the creation of that deeper connection between the reader and the world I seek to create. With characters leaping from the pages, their voices echoing in the reader’s mind with a clarity that seems almost tangible. A story itself is brought to life through the torment of trying to write adequately enough to gain appreciation. So, your forgiveness of my writing shortfalls is begged in return for sending you on a journey. With a little luck, we’ll both make it to the end.