# If you are a writer... **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-a-writer/260429 **Category:** The BBQ Pit **Created:** [August 18, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-a-writer/260429 "2004-08-18T18:24:10Z") **Posts on this page:** 1 **Page:** 2
### Author: ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika) #### Post date: [August 19, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-a-writer/260429/21 "2004-08-19T15:11:47Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > My version of Rule 1 would say something like this: Good writing does not necessarily have to be easy to read, but if it is not, the effort I have to put into reading it should be proportionately rewarded. > [@MartinWolf](#): > > I think what the OP is saying is that, if a piece of writing is difficult to read, it should be because the concepts are difficult, not because the writer likes using a seven-syllable word where a three-syllable one would do just as well. Sigh…this is exactly what I mean, and of course someone comes along and puts it way better than I do. > [@Ultrafilter](#): > > A lot of atheist writers writing about atheism write like James Joyce after a particularly nasty stroke. You see exactly what I mean. I am part of the target audience, I think, for many atheist writers (a soft atheist who loves studying the history/effects of the Invisible Pink Unicorns), but come on, would it kill you to tone it down a bit?! > [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > Oh yeah: I LIKE Michael Crichton! > [@MartinWolf](#): > > Let me take a wild guess: Michael Crichton? > [@adam yax](#): > > I’ll see your Michael Crichton and raise you one John Grisham. > [@Jurph](#): > > Oh, come now! “Constant Reader” is the condescendingly faux-grateful hallmark from the long-winded forewords written by The Master of the Macabre, The Captain of Capitalization, Mr. Stephen “I could eat alphabet soup and shit a best-seller” King. Actually, damn good guesses. I meant both Grisham, and Crichton. I like both authors sometimes but often Grisham and sometimes Crichton make me ill, like **Congo**. I actually really like King. I picked the Constant Reader bit because I don’t believe at least that he does any of the above in his books. He isn’t the deepest in the world but I like him anyway. He especially isn’t arrogant in his forwards and afterwards; I actually find them interesting to read. I love to write. I’m not great, I acknowledge that. I don’t inflict my little stories on anyone but myself. BUT the first thing I ever learned in my writing life was make sure you’re reaching your target audience!!! ala **John Carter of Mars**. BTW, this is my first attempt at multiple quotes other than one test in ATMB. How’d I do? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-a-writer/260429.md?page=1)