I currently live just over one hundred miles from where I grew up.

When I drive from south of Seattle to my hometown of Bellingham, Washington, my favorite part of the scenic drive is the commonly-occurring mountain-level clouds in Skagit and Whatcom Counties.

I recognize now that locals in Whatcom and Skagit counties likely take these clouds for granted.  I did while I was growing up.

Now that I live a two hour drive away (when traffic’s not bad!), I live just far enough away to not have these low-lying clouds be a daily (or near-daily) occurrence.  Thus, I now notice them as a locally distinct event when I go home.  They are visually engaging.

A good writer does the same thing when writing – noticing and/or developing perspective – and then using descriptive narrative – to incorporate that perspective into the written word.

When written text lacks perspective, the reader will notice the text only in observing that what they are reading is not worth reading.  They may not know that perspective is what’s missing, but they won’t want to continue reading.  It is incumbent upon the writer to identify perspective and incorporate it into the text.

Providing perspective – among a host of skills involved in understanding the world and one’s audience – is necessary for the writer who wants an audience.

Kim Burkhardt provides writing services at Burkhardt Writing Services. Contact us about your wordsmithing needs.