Introduction

We think of great writing in English, especially of writing that revolves around social change and commentary, and we think of writers like Arundhathi Roy and William Dalrymple. Writing that is bold and incisive, and has both clarity and vision. And most of us shy away from even setting pen to paper (metaphorically), because if we cannot write well, why write at all? Right? Wrong.

AlmostWe all have stories to tell. And writing is a tool we can use to share these stories. Every one of us arecan capableget better at the craft of goodwriting writing.by Evensimple, better,old-fashioned ifpractice. Let's say we start today and keep at it for a year,year. weWe will obviously be much better writers a year later than we were 365 days ago. Pretty much like anything else, writing is a craft, a skill that can be honed. I am not arguing here that talent is nothing, but someone who practises diligently is way ahead of the curve compared to the gifted person of talent who does nonot put in any practice.

It is just as important to get good at editing as we are at writing. Maybe, even better. At least once a day, I remember the words of one of my mentors, mentorsV S Jayaschandran, from my days as a 20-something trainee in a large newsroom. He would givehand us our edited copies back, and tell us, sometimes sardonically, "There are no great writers, only great editors." Not a statement that is taken lightly in an ego-ridden place like a news desk. But as I grew as a writer, I began to understand what he meant,meant. that heHe was not referring to the superiority of editors over writers. HeRather, he was talking about how the writer should learn to approach their written work from the eyes of an editor. ThisAn oftenobjective pair of eyes makes all the differencedifference. betweenIn fact, most times, this is actually what separates good writing andfrom great, memorable writing.