I am a proud amateur writer.  The world, I think, needs more of us -- unapologetic nonprofessional artists. I am not sure where the idea arose that anyone who does not get paid for their art should put it aside and spend their life watching TV but that notion ought to be pitched into the garbage bin of bad ideas along with three-two beer and platform heels.

Through high school, I had a rich, multicultural education that, unfortunately, did not include a strong foundation in writing.   My first job after a post-masters year in computer system analysis and design, found me working under a boss who was both a fine scientist and a brilliant writer.  I asked my boss to read the first paper I prepared for publication.  She returned my paper with a critique attached.  I do not remember exactly what the critique said but it began: “I am sorry Mr. Johnson, but I find your writing turgid an coy.”  I was shattered!  I was outraged!  But, when my anger subsided, I looked up “coy” and “turgid” in the dictionary and reread my paper.  It was, indeed, both coy and turgid.

The next day, I asked her to teach me to write.  Over the next six months, I had lunch with her weekly and she taught me this:

Good writing is founded on strong, simple declarative sentences.  Have something to say before you start to write.  Say what you have to say in the simplest way with as few words as you need to say it.  Never use a long word when there is a good short one, but always use the word than means exactly what you want to say.

After that, I published dozens of scientific papers and never had one rejected.

Later, when I studied creative writing, I found that under the craft of voice, point of view, pacing, etc. the fundamentals still apply.  There are many ways to write badly, but all bad writers violate the foundation of simple, direct communication.

I am still writing and I am still learning.  My goal, with every story I write is that this next one will be a new personal best.