We’ve all read something that stops us in our tracks. Maybe it’s a line from a novel that feels like it was written just for you, or a blog post that explains a complex topic with stunning clarity. Good writing doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of specific, practiced habits.
While talent plays a role, the true magic lies in the consistent, often invisible, work writers do before a single polished sentence appears. So, what separates the good from the great? Let’s dive into the three non-negotiable habits of effective writers.
Master the Craft - Do Great Gaming Writers Do?
Let's be real. We've all been there. Reading a game review so sharp it feels like the writer has been in your head, or a lore deep-dive so immersive it makes you boot up the game instantly. In a world saturated with hot takes and rushed lists, standout gaming content doesn't happen by luck. It's forged through specific, player-respecting habits.
While passion is the fuel, the real XP grind is in the consistent, often behind-the-scenes work a writer does before they hit "publish." So, what separates a filler guide from a legendary walkthrough? What makes an outlet want you to Write for us Gaming? Let’s power up and analyze the three non-negotiable habits of top-tier gaming writers.
1. They Listen More Than They Speak (The Art of Deep Reading)
Good writers are, first and foremost, obsessed readers. But they don’t just skim headlines or scroll for entertainment. They engage in deep, active reading. Think of it as a writer’s version of a chef tasting food—they’re deconstructing the recipe to understand how it works.
What does this look like in practice?
Reading Across Genres: A novelist reads poetry to understand rhythm and compression. A marketing copywriter reads long-form journalism to study narrative flow. They expose themselves to different “musical styles” of language so they can expand their own repertoire.
Asking “How?” and “Why?”: When a paragraph moves them, they don’t just feel it—they reverse-engineer it. Why did this metaphor work so well? How did the author build tension in that dialogue? Why did I get bored here, and how did they win me back two paragraphs later?
Building a Mental Toolkit: By listening to other voices—the soaring prose, the crisp logic, the witty dialogue—they collect tools. They notice how a short, punchy sentence can create impact after a long, descriptive one. They see how a well-placed anecdote can humanize a dry topic.
The Takeaway: Writing begins long before you hit the keyboard. It starts in the quiet space of reading with intention. Fill your well with great writing, and you’ll always have something meaningful to draw from.
2. They Embrace the Ugly First Draft (The Discipline of “Getting It Down”)
This is the habit that separates the dreamers from the doers. Good writers have made peace with one universal truth: All first drafts are terrible. And they’re okay with that.
Ernest Hemingway famously said, “The first draft of anything is shit.” Anne Lamott champions the concept of the “shitty first draft.” They aren’t being cynical; they’re giving you permission to be human.
Why is this so crucial?
It Silences the Inner Critic: That voice that says, “This isn’t good enough,” or “You’re a fraud,” is the biggest dream killer. By committing to a messy, exploratory first draft, you muzzle that critic. Your only job in Round 1 is to exist, to get the clay on the wheel. You can’t sculpt air.
It Uncovers Hidden Gems: Often, your best ideas aren’t in your initial outline. They emerge in the messy process of writing itself—a tangent that becomes your main point, a character who suddenly speaks with an unexpected voice. If you’re editing every sentence as you go, you’ll never reach those buried treasures.
It Separates Creation from Refinement: These are two different brain functions. Creation is chaotic, intuitive, and playful. Refinement is orderly, analytical, and critical. Trying to do both at once is like trying to drive with one foot on the gas and the other on the brake. Good writers drive the full distance with the gas pedal (writing), then go back and check the brakes (editing).
The Takeaway: Give yourself the radical grace of a bad first draft. Close the door, set a timer, and just spill your thoughts. The magic doesn’t happen in the first attempt; it happens in the courageous, relentless revision that follows.
3. They Ruthlessly Cut and Clarify (The Craft of Revision)
If habit #2 is about being a generous artist, habit #3 is about being a ruthless surgeon. Good writing is rewriting. The real artistry isn’t in what’s written, but in what’s cut away.
As Stephen King puts it, “To write is human, to edit is divine.”
What does “ruthless” revision involve?
Killing Your Darlings: This classic advice means being willing to delete a clever line, a beautiful paragraph, or even a whole chapter if it doesn’t serve the piece’s core purpose. It might be brilliant, but if it’s off-tone, redundant, or slows momentum, it has to go. (Save it in a “scraps” document—it hurts less!)
Prioritizing the Reader’s Experience: They constantly ask: “Is this clear? Will my reader stumble here? Have I assumed knowledge they might not have?” They switch from an author-centric view (“What do I want to say?”) to a reader-centric one (“What do they need to understand and feel?”).
Seeking Specific, Harsh Feedback: Good writers don’t just ask friends, “Did you like it?” They seek out critical readers and ask specific questions: “Where did you get bored? What point was confusing? Did the conclusion feel earned?” They develop a thick skin because they know constructive criticism is the fastest path to improvement.
Reading Aloud: This is one of the most powerful editing tools. Your ear will catch clunky rhythms, repeated words, and awkward phrasing that your eye glides over. If you stumble while reading it, your reader will stumble, too.
The Takeaway: Your first draft is you telling yourself the story. Every draft after that is you shaping it for someone else. Be kind to yourself in the creation phase, but be merciless in the editing phase.
Bringing It All Together: The Writer’s Cycle
These three habits aren’t isolated steps; they form a continuous, self-feeding cycle:
INPUT (Listen): You read deeply, filling your mind with language, structure, and ideas.
CREATION (Draft): You retreat and pour that input onto the page without judgment.
REFINEMENT (Cut): You return to the draft with a critical eye, shaping the raw material into something clear and compelling.
Then, you go back to step one. You read again, now with new questions from your own writing process. The cycle continues, and with each revolution, your voice becomes stronger and your craft sharper.
So, the next time you read a piece that takes your breath away, remember: it’s not magic. It’s the product of listening, bravely drafting, and relentlessly revising. And the beautiful part? These aren’t secret talents reserved for a lucky few. They are practices. And practices can be learned, one word at a time.
Your challenge this week: Pick one habit to focus on. Read an article and jot down two craft techniques the author used. Or, start a piece by writing a “vomit draft” with no backspacing allowed. Or, take an old piece of writing and cut its word count by 25%.
The journey to becoming a good writer starts with a single, intentional action. Now, go get started.
Hello, My name is John Smith, I am a freelance writer and I would love to build up my writing portfolio online.