Summary

The article outlines nine distinctive traits that characterize the top 1% of writers, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, personality, knowledge, clarity, consistency, edge, depth, value, and emotion in their writing.

Abstract

The author, with three years of writing experience, shares insights into the exceptional qualities that distinguish the elite tier of writers. These writers are adaptable, thriving amidst change and technological advancements. They infuse their writing with personality, making their content relatable and engaging, akin to a casual conversation with a friend. A strong foundation in diverse knowledge enhances their storytelling and helps readers understand complex topics. Clarity is paramount, as these writers excel in distilling intricate ideas into comprehensible and captivating narratives. Consistency in their work builds trust and becomes a reliable source of inspiration and growth for their audience. Their writing possesses an 'edge' that provokes thought and offers fresh perspectives. Depth is achieved through thorough research and contemplation, reflecting a well-examined argument. The value in their writing is evident as it solves problems and addresses the emotional needs of the reader. Lastly, emotion is woven into their narratives, making the content resonate on a human level.

Opinions

The author admires writers who adapt to change and view it as an opportunity rather than a setback.
Writers who express their individuality and connect with readers on a personal level are favored.
A background in varied fields, such as medicine, is seen as an asset that enriches a writer's perspective.
Clarity in writing is considered a fundamental skill, necessary to engage and maintain reader interest.
Consistent output is crucial for a writer to establish a loyal readership and become a staple in their lives.
Writers who challenge readers with unique insights and thought-provoking content are highly regarded.
Depth in writing, achieved through extensive research and reflection, is a hallmark of great writers.
Writing is viewed as a product that must provide value by solving problems for the reader, whether practical or emotional.
Emotional storytelling that humanizes the writer's experiences is deemed essential for impactful writing.

9 Uncommon Traits of the Top 1% of Writers

You’ll wanna steal these

I’ve been writing on the internet for 3 years.

I used to think that writing was a road to nowhere, a never-ending race to the bottom. I pictured a messy desk with little money in the bank and a draw spilling over with unfinished manuscripts.

Writing has changed my life — and this is what I know about the top 1% of writers. These are the traits that make my favourite writers unstoppable.

1. Adaptability

In an ever-changing world (AI, algos and anything else) one thing that remains true is that change is the only inevitability.

Those who embrace that reality win. The writers that rebel, complain or get constantly unedged about the spinning world that we live in tend to spend too long dwelling and not enough time doing.

2. Personality

I adore it when writers spill their personality on the page.

Between learning about a new idea you get to know them (great content laced with personality is a match made in heaven). I once heard Tim Ferris say he aims to write like he’s talking to his pal over a drink and he’s two glasses of wine deep.

I love that.

Writers who write with their personality (not shy away from it) win in a world that is full of cookie-cutter templates and algo-beating hacks.

3. Knowledge

I always find my favourite writers have interesting backgrounds.

For some reason, I always gravitate to writers with a background in medicine. It’s probably why I ended up working in the NHS and did a degree in Biomed.

I love writers who share their pasts with you as a helping hand to understand the world we live in. Those who share their unique experiences help us understand their world.

4. Clarity

If you boil down the skill of a writer it’s to take complex ideas and present them in a way that a) makes sense b) captivates the reader.

You can’t do b) without satisfying a). My favourite writers are those that optimize for clarity. They ask over and over:

What am I trying to say?
How do I make it clearer?

That skill alone is one you can work on for a lifetime.

5. Consistency

You want a writer you can rely on. Someone who shows up day in and day out to express their thoughts. Someone who works as a mental-sparing partner.

You read their stuff and you find yourself getting better, fitter, thinking clearer as a result. You want to be able to rely on someone if they are going to be a feature in your life.

6. Edge

I’ve long since thought the currency of writing is moments of ‘awe’.

The job of the writer is to provide you with moments of insight, moments that cause you to stop and reflect and they shift your mentality ever-so-slightly but they shift it nonetheless.

That shift comes from intriguing moments that help you think in new ways. A good writer provides those moments often.

7. Depth

You can tell when someone has thought deeply about what they are saying. You can almost hear them chewing it over in their minds as they write it out. They’ve gone back and forth, hunted down more research, and spent more time unearthing evidence.

Great writers ooze depth of thought.

They write with a sense of confidence because they know they’ve mulled this over for hours. Great writing exhausts all avenues and provides a new path to walk down by doing so.

8. Value

Writing is a product.

A product exists to solve a problem. If it’s not solving a problem and helping your customer satisfy a job, then the product has no longevity. Writing is no different.

Writing has to solve a problem for a reader. That problem might not be an obvious one, some writing is very practical (how to reset a boiler) but the best writing I’ve found solves an emotional problem (how to reimagine your goals).

Either way, great writing has to solve a problem for someone.

9. Emotion

Without a doubt, the best writing I’ve come across is laced with emotion.

Writing that talks about a problem that the writer is facing and how they solved it (and managed their emotions throughout) is sooooo useful because it humanises the experience.

As I get older, I’m more and more of the opinion that productivity is all about emotion. Learning to explain and manage your own emotions is a super-power and the bread and butter of a great writer.

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