Great Writing versus Good Writing

 I have no sprightly style in my fiction, nor am I on speaking terms with profundity.

For all that, I read Melissa Donovan's What’s the Difference Between Good Writing and Great Writing? with hope.

She sets out the terms of her essay as follows:

A good piece of writing holds your attention. It flows smoothly and everything makes sense. It’s interesting and a pleasure to read.

Great writing, on the other hand, doesn’t just hold your attention; it commands your attention. You become lost in it. You can’t put it down, and when you do, you want to read it all over again.

Then she begins her argument:

Here’s how I see it: beautiful writing has style and practical writing has substance. It’s rare to find writing that has both. Don’t get me wrong — it’s out there. Just peruse the 20th century classics, and you’ll find tons of tomes that are brimming with wonderful words that relay mesmerizing stories.

But for the most part, we look to the literary camp for style and we look to genre (or dare I say — bestseller lists) for substance. Which makes me wonder, should we set the bar a little higher? Could we feasibly demand more from our literature and from our own writing? 

She makes a distinction, as I do, between poetry and prose. I know I am no kind of poet.

Personally, I appreciate both types of writing, but I tend to look for beautiful turns of phrase, interesting images, and brilliant word choices when I’m reading poetry. When I read a poem, I want to be carried away by the poet’s style. I want to stop and read the same line again and again. I want to be in awe of how writers can take creative liberties with language. I don’t necessarily care what the poem is about. In fact, it may not be about anything. It could be abstract, stream of consciousness. If it’s exquisitely written, I will appreciate it.

When I’m reading a story, all that stuff is nice, but I’m more interested in the ride. I want to care about the characters, be swept away by the plot, and be inspired by the themes. I want to read as fast as I can because I can’t wait to see what happens next. I want my thoughts and emotions to be provoked. I don’t necessarily want to stop every few sentences to marvel at the language. I want to keep turning those pages, and I don’t want to put it down.

Henry David Thoreau has me favoring substance - so does my Protestant, Midwestern upbringing. I would like to write a phrase that does move a heart, only I think myself too old to attain my goal. That is what happens when one gives up trying when young and has the time to learn better ways.

 sch 12/19/24