In the internet age writing has re-established itself as an important form of communication. As a writer, I still find it sad and surprising that many seem to fear the act of putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard.

Pianists practice at the piano. Tennis players practice at the net. Athletes practice at the track. They all recognise that skills need to be developed and honed if they are to be maintained.

When we write we are simply translating our thoughts into a more tangible format. Those ideas that float in and out of our minds are captured and recorded. It really is as simple as that. The difficulty comes in discerning which thoughts to capture and which to ignore. If your mind is anything like mine, you will possibly not even be aware of many of ideas that flit around your head.

You could probably get as many different definitions of good writing as the number of people you ask. However, a general standard would surely be text that is easy to understand that successfully transmits the intended message.

Writers need to maintain a fine balance between time spent on planning and research and time spent on writing. All writers will have a preference and will need to compensate in the area in which they do not spend sufficient time. Too much of either is not a good thing.

When starting to write be courageous and develop your own style. If every writer wrote in the same way, readers would quickly become bored. Some formal or business writing will dictate a style and perhaps a layout, but this does not prevent a writer from embellishing the work with their own personality.

My definition of good writing is something that makes me think and question any previously held views I may have had on the subject. It is writing that elicits a response in me. I want to have reason to stop and think about the words I am reading. I want the words to tell me something I didn't already know or to provide me with a new angle on my existing experiences.

Time is probably the most valuable commodity we all have and it is something we want to spend wisely. How cheated we feel when we invest time to read but find the words provide no value in return.

Whilst some fear writing and think it is difficult, it's a piece of cake compared to editing.

Editing is a different animal from proof reading. The latter is an exercise to spot errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax and the plain old typo. Editing is the process by which a raggle-taggle collection of words is pummelled and pounded until it becomes clear prose that is a joy to read.

You would expect a writer to be enthusiastic about the process of writing. However, I am more than enthusiastic, I am passionate about the written word and the good it can do. Don't under estimate the power of something as simple as a written thank you note, as an example, for it will be treasured far more than a telephone call. Will you pick up your pen and begin to write? I so hope you do.