What skills are involved in being a good writer? What makes a good piece of writing? How is writing different to speaking? What are the challenges faced by learners of English who want to write well, and what are some solutions to these challenges? How can AI help develop writing skills? And, what does it take to write your own book in English? These are all questions which I talk about in this episode, with the help of professional writer and returning guest Fabio Cerpelloni.
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Fabio’s website and blog 👉 fabiocerpelloni.com
Fabio’s first book 📖 Any Language You Want
Fabio’s second book 📖 Tiny Book Author
Summary of Key Insights About Writing (for Learners of English) in our conversation 👇
1. Writing is permanent — and that’s why it feels scary
Unlike speaking, writing doesn’t disappear. Once it’s written, it’s there.
That can make learners nervous, but it’s also what makes writing powerful: you have time to shape, revise, and improve your message.
2. Good writing is about impact, not perfection
A good piece of writing:
- makes sense
- does the job it’s meant to do
- connects with the reader
Grammar and vocabulary matter, but effect on the reader matters more than sounding impressive or “advanced”.
3. Simpler language is often more effective than flashy language
Using complex vocabulary, idioms, or “advanced” expressions just to sound native can:
- feel unnatural
- distract the reader
- reduce clarity
Clear, simple language often has more impact than complicated language.
4. Writing is about connection and self-expression
Beyond exams and emails, writing is a powerful tool for:
- expressing ideas
- sharing experiences
- motivating or moving the reader
Even imperfect English can work well if the message connects emotionally.
5. Structure and organisation help the reader
Good writing:
- has a clear beginning, middle, and end
- is easy to follow
- makes its purpose obvious
Organisation, coherence, and clarity all serve the reader — and improve impact.
6. Writing helps you clarify your thinking
Writing isn’t just about communicating ideas — it creates ideas.
If something feels hard to write, it often means the idea isn’t clear yet.
The struggle is part of the thinking process.
7. Cutting “fluff” is a key writing skill
Strong writing often comes from removing, not adding:
- repeated ideas
- vague sentences
- unnecessary words
“Less is more” — especially in emails and practical writing.
8. Reading is essential if you want to write better
As Stephen King famously said:
“If you want to be a good writer, you must read a lot and write a lot.”
Reading helps you:
- absorb natural structures
- notice effective style
- understand what works and why
If you want to write emails, read emails.
If you want to write stories, read stories.
9. Writing a diary counts as real writing
You don’t need to publish or be famous to be a writer.
Writing for yourself:
- builds fluency
- develops clarity
- strengthens your connection with the reader (even if that reader is you)
A writer is simply someone who writes.
10. Exams focus on communication, not just accuracy
In exams like Cambridge English, accuracy is only one criterion.
Higher priorities include:
- communicative achievement
- task completion
- effect on the reader
Everything in your writing should serve the purpose of the task.
11. AI can help — if you use it wisely
AI tools are useful for:
- checking grammar doubts
- exploring word choices
- finding synonyms
- clarifying meaning
But they shouldn’t replace your thinking or your voice. Beware of letting AI do your writing for you – your own skills will not develop, and you will come across as unoriginal, indistinct and probably even lazy. Often, your reader wants to get the sense there is a person on the other side. Don’t be seduced by the dark side of the force. Sorry. I mean, don’t be seduced by the fact that ChatGPT will write flawlessly – with no errors. People can usually tell when something has been written by AI, and it doesn’t give a good impression of you.
Also, you need to question and evaluate what AI produces.
12. Dictionaries still matter
AI can make mistakes.
A reliable dictionary — like the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries — remains the final authority for:
- Meaning of words
- Examples of real usage
- collocations
- register
13. Writing improves confidence through small wins
Writing doesn’t have to mean a 300-page book.
Small, achievable projects (emails, blog posts, short texts, “tiny books”) build:
- confidence
- momentum
- motivation
Success encourages more writing. If you want to write well, write regularly.
14. Writing is hard — even for experienced writers
Struggling with a paragraph doesn’t mean you’re bad at writing.
It usually means:
- the idea needs refining
- the purpose isn’t clear yet
Difficulty is normal and productive.
15. Ultimately, writing is about purpose
Before writing, ask:
- Who is this for?
- What do I want the reader to feel, know, or do?
- What is the core idea?
When purpose is clear, language choices become much easier.
