Good writing requires good grammar. However, it first demands a sound structure. To address the grammar without reinforcing or rebuilding the structure is not the sign of a good writer or writing. It defines the lazy writer, fiction or nonfiction, personal or business, or one yet unaccustomed to the realities of the writing life.
An analogy, maybe two, helps convey the situation. To correct—“fix”—the grammar without addressing structural and developmental needs is like purchasing a hog in April with plans to serve it at the annual Christmas party. The owner neglects said hog, feeding it only the barest of bare minimums.
Thus, the hog grows little. The spindly legs and protruding bones disclose not only its malnourishment but also mistreatment. His weight falls so low as to be re marked upon by a visiting veterinarian. This hog will not be going to the fair or receiving any accolades and blue ribbons.
It, unfortunately, still goes to the slaughter. The owner sets the hog on a platter but no amount of garnish or caramelized, red apple placed in the mouth can hide the truth: this hog is not fit to eat. At the guests’ first bite, it becomes abundantly clear that this long-awaited, supposedly mouth-watering hog is no more than a gristly hank of meat.
If the metaphor proves too grotesque for the palate, perhaps a more traditional one would serve. Writing is like a house. It needs a solid foundation. Everything rests upon it, the Corinthian columns and crenellations.
If the homeowner repairs the crumbling accents rather than reinforcing the shifting foundation, trouble arises. Pipes spring leaks; the house settles awkwardly to one side; and the concrete in the driveway cracks.
The house obviously requires foundational work, but the owner ignores the warning signs and focuses on “curb appeal.” They manicure the lawn, paint the exterior, and install a smart thermostat. Not one homebuyer makes an offer because they see the truth, as they did with the hog: this house is unsafe and maybe even unsavory. It is falling apart from the ground-up.
A good writer, in contrast, does the opposite. They feed the hog; they repair the foundation. Then and only then do they get to the details of garnishes and decorations: they fix the grammar.
Image: Ryan (Creative Commons)