The ability to write well is both a talent and a skill.

• You are born with talent.
• You can learn skill.

I am someone who has taught writing to adults at the university level. I admit this right up front so that you will know where I am coming from in my commentary about writing.

I have seen how difficult it is to teach someone how to write well who somehow was born without the necessary talent for the task.

I also have seen people grow and become better writers because they deliberately chose to apply themselves in a learning situation.

And, one more admission: I have been pleasantly surprised to discover adults with an ability to write well in the English language even though they were born into some other language.

So, after many years of professional experience as a writer and also because I am one who teaches others how to write well, this is what I believe: Success in writing well in the English language starts with a person’s ability to use their mind well.

I further believe that a person must attain the skill to use their mind to do two related tasks: (1) to consider symbolic meaning, and, (2) to express meaning to others symbolically.

Attaining success at each of those two tasks can yours if you start by deliberately applying yourself in a learning situation. Such a learning situation can be in a classroom.

But, another equally valid learning situation is this: Read a book or two written by a person who is known for succeeding at the two tasks (thinking about symbolic meaning, and, expressing oneself symbolically).

In my humble opinion, everyone should be able to name at least one book and one writer of the book that made an impression on them. The ability to know and respect a masterful writer is essential to improving one’s own writing.

And, the book and the writer do not have to be of some lofty significance intellectually. When I was very young, for instance, I was quite impressed the very first time I read the children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by Lyman Frank Baum (1856 – 1919).

As I matured with age, I never forgot how strongly positive I felt about the famous fantasy story, but I became more impressed the works of with another American writer named Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835 – 1910).

What writing is impressive to you will be as individual as you are. What impresses you before you reach the age of 13 will be far different from what impresses you after you reach the age of 31.

What’s important is to explore writers and their works while deliberately applying yourself in a learning situation. Yes, you should read for enjoyment. But, enjoyment need not be separated from learning.

I will end this commentary with one observation: Broaden your horizons by reading writers whose works are in the nonfiction category.

The enjoyment of a nonfiction writer’s works can match or exceed that of enjoying fiction writers’ works. Sometimes, you will get very lucky and find one writer who succeeds well at both fiction and nonfiction. American Norman Mailer (1923 – 2007) is one such writer.

Here are what I consider the five essential dimensions of effective writing. Use these to generate important questions that you need to ask yourself before you start writing:

1–Situation

I want to reach the reader why…
I am writing this because…

2–Audience

I am writing this for whom…
I want the reader to do what…
I expect the reader will already know…
I want the reader to respond how…
I expect the reader actually will respond how…
I want the reader to use this for what…

3–Message

I want the reader to remember this one thing…
I want to have this specific outcome…

4–Method

I want to reach the reader how and where…
I want this to go out where and when…

5–Evaluation

I intend to measure the impact by…

These four building blocks or essential ingredients of effective human communication today are each worth knowing and understanding. You may explore each at this website at your own pace in any order that you choose. Keep in mind that all of the communications coaching solutions that I provide to clients start with these four human behaviors:

I offer communications consulting services upon request. Each of these services is priced separately based on the complexity of the job. I will work with you to negotiate a fair price.