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.

[DOWNLOAD AUDIO]

Get the PDF Transcript + Key Insights About Writing👇

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.