Writing that stands the test of time

Writing that stands the test of time is, first and foremost, readable. It won’t get off the ground if it isn’t. People today need to be able to grasp it while they read on the bus, listen during a workout, or skim while their kids are noisy. It needs to have meaning and entertainment for busy people today.

Second, it needs to be deep. There need to be two or three layers beneath what you’re saying quickly. Your word choice can leave clues about what you really want to say (even though no one would listen to you if you did). If you assume your reader will care about your deepest thoughts, you’ve already lost them. The tight plot and steady flow of sentences are merely a treasure map to the deeper meaning you’ve buried for those who really care.

Finally, it needs to be human. The astounding thing about reading classic novels is that even 100 years later we can still relate to the humanity of it all. This is the great achievement of writing: to be so honest that the humanity of your experience transcends differences in culture, language, sensibility, and values.