How to write like a simpleton

One of the joyous aspects of becoming a published author has been watching people in my life take a crack at writing as well. 

Today was an especially busy day in this regard.

In the span of three hours, I met with a friend about a novel that she is writing, spoke over the phone to a friend about the YA novel that he is now revising, and reviewed a possible Op-Ed piece for another friend via email. 

Quite a bit of writing suddenly going on around me.

In discussing my friend's novel...