4 Traits Every Writer Must Have

Do you have what it takes to be a writer?

Every writer asks this of themselves at one point or another. The answer depends, of course, on how you define what it means to be a writer in the first place.

When you say you’re a writer, what does that mean, exactly? Does it mean you write in your journal every day? Does it mean you’re working on some short stories? Does it mean you have published a book?

In truth, our definition of “writer” tends to shift over time. Maybe you felt you became a writer the moment you fell in love with words—the way they tell stories, carry emotions, and make meaning. Or maybe you’re the kind of writer who builds with words the way a mason lays stone, capturing a brand’s message or crafting a powerful narrative from raw experience.

Given this shape-shifting identity we call “writer,” is there anything consistent about the people who pursue it?

I believe there is. And it’s not the number of publications, degrees, or accolades. It’s the qualities we carry and cultivate along the way—the ones that keep us coming back to the page. In my experience—as a writer, and as someone who’s had the privilege of walking alongside many other writers—I’ve seen 4 traits rise to the surface time and again.

Think you’re a writer? Here are 4 traits that you must have (and they’re not what you think):

1. Naiveté

A writer is supposed to smart and witty, right? Have you heard the sage advice, “Write what you know?”

It isn’t bad advice. But it’s also not the end of the road.

What I really mean when I say “naiveté” is a hunger for asking questions – a drive to always want to know more.

Imagine a writer who believes she already knows it all. Her characters may become predictable. Her observations might fall flat. Her stories are tired before they begin.

But a writer who brings a sense of wonder and curiosity—who stays open to the unknown—invites something richer into the work.

Naiveté, in the best sense, keeps us exploring. It lets us write with childlike fascination, with openness to discovery. Even if you’ve seen the world and lived through its trials, there’s a kind of sacred naiveté you can choose to keep—one that asks, “What if I don’t know yet? What might I find if I stay open?”

Ask yourself:

How would a child view this experience?Am I shutting down too soon, assuming I already know how this ends?2. Audaciousness

Some of your best writing may come from the moments you decided to be brave. To say what others might shy away from. To follow the idea that gave you butterflies.

As a writer, you are also a risk-taker. There is no way around it. When we write, we take risks. Some of those risks are putting ourselves out there, being misunderstood, or telling a truth that is particularly difficult.

Audaciousness is the trait that lets you chase a wild idea, even when it doesn’t make sense on paper. Intrepid boldness is what spurs you try something new—a different voice, a different medium, a new genre. Audacity gives you permission to speak up and tell the truth, even when it feels risky.

Ask yourself:

Does this writing give me a little thrill or jolt of energy?Am I allowing myself to be bold—not just in writing, but in life?3. Self-Motivation

There’s nothing fancy about this trait: Self-motivation is what gets you in the chair. It’s the characteristic that reminds you: To be a writer, you have to write.

Let’s be honest—there are always other things that seem more urgent. The laundry. The meeting. The scroll through your phone. But writing doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intention.

That doesn’t mean discipline has to feel like punishment. Sometimes, motivation looks like planning ahead or giving yourself small rewards. Sometimes it means saying no to distractions or setting gentle boundaries with people you love.

Ask yourself:

Where have I been unrealistic about how I’m spending my time?Is writing showing up in both the things I want to do and the things I’m actually doing?4. A Willingness to Be Confronted

Writing will challenge you. It might stir up old wounds or force you to wrestle with hard truths. You might face resistance from others—from readers, critics, family—and even from yourself.

But confrontation isn’t the enemy. It can be the refining fire that makes your work stronger. Think feedback that sharpens your sentences. Think the struggle that clarifies your message. Even the blank page is a kind of confrontation—and you get to decide how you’ll respond.

Ask yourself:

Do I value feedback for my writing? Do I trust the source of the feedback?How can this confrontation—however uncomfortable—help me grow as a writer?

Being a writer isn’t a fixed identity. It’s a living, breathing practice. It’s a discipline and an art that reflects both your inner world and the world around you. Writing is a form of inquiry and interpretation—a way to find meaning in the friction between life’s questions.

And in the middle of it all, it’s these four traits—naiveté, audaciousness, self-motivation, and a willingness to be confronted—that keep you steady. These four traits will keep you honest. And, they will keep you showing up to the page, day after day.

Which of these traits resonates most with you today? Which one feels like it’s asking you to grow?

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