What Makes a Good Writer?

Recent Tourist in your Own Town writing workshop presenter and poet Deb Westbury mentioned a list of "good writer" attributes from her friend Ron Pretty and here it is:

What makes a good writer?

They do not waste word.

They speak in an authentic voice.

They put the readers there, make them believe.

They cause things to happen for the reader as they happen for the writer (or narrator).

They create oppositions which pay off in surprise.

They build.

They ask something of readers.

They reward the reader with meaning.

Good writing is clear, vigorous, honest, alive, sensuous, rhythmic, without pretension, fresh, economical, authoritative, surprising, memorable and light.

Deb said based on her own experience as an editor, teacher and judge of writing compeitions, these criteria are comprehensive and generally agreed upon. Thank you Deb.