Context
The Cambridge dictionary defines the term skill set as, 'the combination of different skills that someone has and can use in a particular job'. Skills require practice. Rarely are we born with skills honed to such a degree they are second nature. (You might argue certain sports people are rare exceptions). Even then, some skills may come easily while others still need practice that make that person an all-rounder. As someone who's worked in education for a long time, this issue has always fascinated me. It's led me to investigate the question I've posed in this post.
As a writer, what skill set is needed if you are to have any success?
My conclusions come from conversations with those authors who I consider friends, those folk who have played a role in my development as an author over the last ten years. It's inevitable such a topic crops up when you meet up at conventions, festivals or via online discussions. I've also read/watched interviews of established writers talking on the subject. Their observations reflect the same conclusions.
It was a conversation with someone I met recently, who was relatively new to the world of writing, that prompted me to reflect on my own journey. I asked myself that question that is often used in interviews - what do you wish you'd known when you started out? What advice would you give your younger self? Well, these are the skills that I believe we need as writers. If you develop these skills, I believe you would be well equipped to cope with the role and all the challenges, heartaches, along with the joy and satisfaction, writing can bring.
The Writer's Skill Set
Observation
This is the skill we develop from watching people’s behaviour and appearances in order to use what we notice to inform characters we create. By observing other people, it enables us to create characters that possess a strong level of credibility. We invent characters our readers can engage in, they find them familiar, they might provoke reactions too. They bring the reader into the world in your story, so that person is more than a name. Speak to most authors and they'll tell you how they like to "people watch". You spot the way someone dresses, a particular mannerism they display, their relationship with another person - the writer imagines the factors that generate these behaviours. They likely store them away (lots of writers have notebooks for this one purpose) for future use.
What have others said about the importance of observation in a writer's skill ser?
“I was always an outsider, always standing outside, observing and trying to figure things out. Which is exactly what you need to do as a writer, I suppose.” Monica Ali
“I love Flaubert’s line about observing things very intensely. I think our duty as writers begins not with our own feelings, but with the powers of observing.” Mary Oliver.
Curiosity
The writer needs a real willingness to find out what is not known, in order to achieve credibility or to acquire greater inspiration or expertise. It can take the form of research. Every author I know spends an inordinate amount of time in research (thank goodness for the internet!). But by curiosity, I'm going beyond simple research. The author needs to be open-minded and recognise when they don't possess the quality of knowledge needed to address their need. (See 'Self Awareness later). It might mean watching a YouTube video to improve your knowledge of sword fights or watching an interview of a serving police officer talking about investigating a crime scene. You could read biographies of people with medical conditions, documentaries about drug abuse. Beyond that, what else do you need to find out about being a writer? Social media outlets can help you in this respect, gather a supportive writers' network around yourself to ask questions and engage in discussion. (Threads has hashtag-led categories that help you target the people you're looking for.)
What have others said about the importance of curiosity in a writer's skill set?
“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.” William Arthur Ward, American writer.
“What I have is a malevolent curiosity. That's what drives my need to write and what probably leads me to look at things a little askew. I do tend to take a different perspective from most people.” David Bowie.
“Critical thinking and curiosity are the key to creativity.” Amala Akkineni, Indian actress.
Enterprise
A writer needs to develop commercial insights into the business of selling books. For many people, this is the toughest skill to acquire, we didn't start writing to become some smarmy business person. That said, regardless of whether you are traditionally or self-published, you need a good understanding of the commercial factors that lead to book sales. It means understanding the data from your dashboard, knowing plenty about your readership (who they are, what they like, why they like your work). It involves improving your marketing and promotional activities, knowing which methods work and why. It's getting the right people around you too - the right editor, cover designer, beta readers et al. It also means developing your brand. When people see your name - what does it mean to them? If the answer is a shrug - ouch!
Remember, earlier I talked about curiosity? It applies here. Much of this stuff you won't know. So find out. Ignorance won't get you anywhere.
What have others said about the importance of enterprise in a writer's skill set?
“Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for money.” Moliere.
“Mark Twain’s most successful work was sold by traveling salesmen going door to door—at a time when this form of marketing was considered extremely impolite.” Jane Friedman.
“I agree with Balzac and 19th-century writers, black and white, who say, 'I write for money.' Yes, I think everybody should be paid handsomely; I insist on it, and I pay people who work for me, or with me, handsomely.” Maya Angelou.
Empathy
A key skill for any writer is to develop the ability to perceive detailed and personal experiences from another’s perspective, to place yourself in the mind of another person. This is where good characterisation begins, by telling the story from a perspective you appreciate so clearly, others will read and believe in it. The best stories have characters who will split readers in their sympathies - such as the stories where the villain is so well written we understand why they've done what they've done. Or Unreliable Narrators, where the author presents the reader with confusing perspectives that lead them down blind alleys in the belief it will take them somewhere grand. Putting yourself in another person's mind is akin to what actors do. The only difference, the writer needs to play all the characters at the same time!
What have others said about the importance of empathy in a writer's skill set?
“I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it.” Maya Angelou.
“Stories teach us empathy. They reveal to us ourselves in the skins of others.” Justin Simien, actor & author.
Sensitivity
The writer must always consider other’s feelings and temper the content of their work with these feelings in mind, to do everything possible to avoid upsetting others unnecessarily. This means giving warnings to readers at the outset if a topic is likely to trigger an emotional reaction that brings hurt or upset. It's applying the right language, qualifying any abusive terms to avoid misunderstanding. It's not the same as empathy. Sensitivity is outward looking, it's being part of the enterprising mindset mentioned earlier, not selling something that is going to annoy, upset or offend others.
What have others said about the importance of sensitivity in a writer's skill set?
“I'm opposed to censorship of any kind, especially by government. But it's plain common sense that producers should target their product with some kind of sensitivity.” Lee Child.
Resilience
More than mere determination, the writer must “go with the punches”, acknowledge there will be problems, low points and challenges. They will find ways to avoid and overcome these things in order to succeed. They accept such drawbacks will occur, after all, rejection and criticism is part of the job, dealing with such things requires resilience. Every writer I know suffers from those low, dark moments of self-doubt, regardless of their talent/success. It is part of our creativity. Often, success brings Imposter Syndrome - in that you don't believe you deserve the recognition. Dealing with it on your own rarely leads to resolution. Resilience needs its cheer leading squad! People who are objective enough (so more than your family!) to reassure you. For this to happen you need to be ready to open up about your concerns. Bottling it up is the worst thing to do.
Our mental health is valuable and must be monitored at all times. Writing can be a lonely business and I recommend joining groups (in the real world or online) that ensure you have others who will listen to your concerns and help to reassure you, even offer an idea or two. I set up a group made of other writers and we meet online each month. We're currently involved in a writing project which is proving to be lots of fun, we have quizzes and chat about our projects. It's groups like this that not only keep you grounded but allow you to chat things over with people who will not just understand - they will have shared the same experiences.
Resilience is crucial. It needs to be developed, it doesn't come naturally.
What have others said about the importance of resilience in a writer's skill set?
“There will always be obstacles and challenges that stand in your way. Building mental strength will help you develop resilience to those potential hazards so you can continue on your journey to success.” Amy Morin, psychotherapist and best-selling author.
“Resilience can only form if we face, and learn how to be better equipped to manage, our problems.” Jo Frost, TV personality and author.
Self-awareness
A writer needs to know who they are. They recognise their faults, their bad habits and their oversights - the kind of things editors will point out and expect to see addressed in future work! Earlier, I mentioned the importance of empathy and sensitivity - these qualities come from being self-aware. You need to recognise how much of yourself appear in your characters and if this leads to them becoming too 'samey'.
Beyond that, it involves knowing what kind of writer you are (or want to become) so you can develop your ‘brand identity’, if you’re lucky, your USP. I've already mentioned this in the Enterprise section. If you're not extrovert enough to shout from the rooftops about your work, how can you address this issue? Or will you always be silent and wonder why your sales are low? Self-awareness isn't just about saying who you are NOW. It's about deciding who you want to become - and how you will achieve that goal.
What have others said about the importance of self-awareness in a writer's skill set?
“I have tons of regrets, but I think that's one of the reasons that push people to create things. Out of their angst, their regret, comes the best from artists, painters and writers.” Sylvester Stallone.
“I've wanted to be a writer since I was a boy, though it seemed an unlikely outcome since I showed no real talent. But I persevered and eventually found my own row to hoe. Ignorance of other writers' work keeps me from discouragement and I am less well-read than the average bus driver.” Garrison Keillor.
Provocation
The writer needs to develop the skill of provoking an emotional responses from their readers. Generating reaction generates readership. Isn't that why we write? To get reactions? Responses that lead to a reader writing a complementary review on Goodreads? Yet it is not an easy skill to acquire, like any skill, it needs practice. I contend it also involves some risk - experimenting with your writing style to see if its provokes an improved response. In that risk-taking comes the scary part of letting others read your experimental work - then asking for honest feedback! That takes real courage. It may start with a degree of self-awareness but to truly provoke reaction, it may lead to stepping out of comfort zones. This is why it pays to enter competitions, it's risky but an experimental short story might offer you insights into your future writing projects. I'd also recommend experimenting with genre. I have writer friends who does this, I've written contemporary fiction and had great fun exploring new ways to write. Finding new and exciting ways to provoke reaction from your readers is a valuable writing skill and can enhance your reputation and expand your readership.
What have others said about the importance of provocation in a writer's skill set?
“There's a difference between describing and evoking something. You can describe something and be quite clinical about it. To evoke it, you call it up in the reader. That's what writers do when they're good.” Margaret Atwood.
“Good writers are in the business of leaving signposts saying, Tour my world, see and feel it through my eyes; I am your guide.” Larry King.
“A movie is really provocation. It's not a message, it's not a statement.” Ang Lee.
Conclusion
You'll notice I haven't included any reference to creativity in this list. That's deliberate. I began by stating how some people are born with a skill where they are naturally gifted. That is likely to be true for most writers. We are naturally inclined to be creative. (I know dozens of authors who write because it is an innate NEED). This is not a skill we need to spend as much time exercising as the ones I've listed here. Of course, your creativity needs to be challenged. You will continue the search for original, innovative ideas, you'll enjoy the solving of plot problems, you'll extend your imagination by reading and asking the most valuable of questions, "What if?" But you'll do this naturally.
The skills listed here may need greater attention. They won't come easily, they may make you feel uncomfortable, even generate a sense of failure in the early stages (Enterprise being the prime example!). But working to develop them will pay off. The crucial thing is to realise how important they are.
During my teaching career, when a student expressed difficulty in a skill, I often encouraged them to partner up with someone who (a) already had the skill and could explain/show how to develop it or (b) was also struggling so they could help each other, realising they were not on their own.
The same is true for any writer. Connect with others. Seek advice. Share your work and invite honest, constructive feedback. Social media can help identify these people. Get in touch, start small and friendly and build the relationship as you would any friendship. Read writer's blogs, they frequently contain answers you're looking for. They will also contain the same fears!
Finally, why not reflect on this list by putting the skills in priority order. Which skill is your strongest? Which is your weakest? Place them in a sequence. Now, make an action plan. What must you do to strengthen your weaker skills? Reinforce your self esteem by celebrating the strengths! If you are naturally curious, build on that skill. Use it to investigate how to improve your enterprise skill by identifying key questions.
I hope this post helps you to develop your writer's skill set! Good luck!
I mentioned Threads earlier, if you want to get in touch, I'm here: https://www.threads.net/@philparkerfantasyauthor or on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/philspeculates.bsky.social
I write fantasy fiction, click on the image to find out about my books
