Good Writing Is Like An Iceberg

Good writing is a lot like an iceberg. The vast majority of an iceberg’s mass and volume is actually underwater. In the same way, the vast majority of the work that goes into a good piece of writing is hidden from the reader.

Consider a typical fantasy novel. The world the characters exist in needs to be engaging, self-consistent, and immersive. The characters might only spend a chapter or two in a particular location, but the author has to carefully develop the background and setting for tha...