So, you want to write well and be recognized? No easy fixes, unfortunately...

To paraphrase the famous last words of the USMC colonel in Full Metal Jacket, "in every one of us there's a writer waiting to come out."

Many creative writing profs believe this is true. I believe it is terribly false. But, unless you are obsessed with the idea of becoming the next great writing hope, not being able to write well is of the same importance as not being able to change a tire or fix the kitchen stove.

Writing requires one key natural talent: cadence. Without it, the most advanced vocabulary and sterling education become difficult-to-use tools of the art. And cadence requires the support of rhythm. Good musicians, whether classical pianists or jazz band players, are masters of rhythm and cadence. The two put together produce marvels of sound.

Writing obeys the same organizing principle. To produce marvels on a piece of paper (or computer screen) you must obey your inner cadence and rhythm. So, the next question is: do you naturally possess these two greatest of tools or is there any hope of developing them through practice?

I believe that if the natural brain kernels are not there, practice can make little or no difference at all. Famous authors routinely spoke (and continue to speak) on how "you lose steam" the minute you lose control of the "linking" of words--which is another way of describing the diminishing flow of cadence and rhythm as the brain tires.

Contrary to popular belief, many of the best, brightest, and most famous are on record recognizing that a "good day" of writing can't be stretched beyond 1,000-1,500 words. Hemingway spent the better part of his desk day re-writing the previous day's work in order to get "in sync." He would always stop "while the going was good" because he knew that cadence and rhythm burned fast and needed replenishment before "good" was exhausted. A "good day" produced 500 words that could be stretched to 1,000.

The myriads of how-to writing guides out there prompt you to "keep writing" and it'll all fall together--eventually. This is "merchandising" advice which, unfortunately, does not pay dividends. "How To Write A Book In Fifteen Days" sounds great but ignores all basic principles of intellect, talent, technical ability, self-editing, and persistence that are required to do the job.

There are two ways to test your writing ability and they both require good luck and effective "networking:" write a piece that you believe it is close to your best and submit it to an established authority--who is willing to dissect and discuss.

And, yes, 10,000 Likes on Facebook or elsewhere say little about your true talent. One of my infinitely better old friends, whose posts are elegant and refined and routinely attract thousands of thumbs up on a major blogging platform, copied a piece from Gertrude Stein, modified it, and posted it as his message of the day.

Approval reached exactly 355 positive marks instead of his usual thousands.