Writing is a skill that comes with a lot of misconceptions. Most people think that it’s purely a God-given talent, and only a few are born with it. There are also those who say that writers should write only when they feel moved or inspired otherwise they won’t come up with good material. There are also those who see writing as a very special skill that should only be applied on very special pursuits.
But there are no myths in writing. This is because it is both a talent and skill that can only be honed through thorough practice and patience, and there are no shortcuts to becoming a master of the craft.
If you are keen on how to improve composition writing, or if you are training your child to become a prolific writer, then here are some of the most common writing myths you should know, and how to debunk them:
- Writers are born, not made.
This is never true, because when we are born, none of us already know how to write! But to put it in context, we are all born with a highly creative mind. However, there are different ways in which we choose to apply our creative juices. Some of us choose to play an instrument, others opt to pursue the visual arts, while others make use of words.
Hence, you have to learn a skill first before becoming good at it, and the same can be said with writing. If you want to be a good writer, you have to learn its basics first and master them over time. Besides, writing is a passion, and passion comes from conscious effort, and not by being a mere “natural.”
- Writers should write only when they are inspired.
Another common myth among writers is that they write (or should write) only when they are inspired, otherwise they will not be able to come up with a decent draft. This is common even among seasoned writers and is sometimes referred to as “writer’s block,” but this can be easily overcome.
Not having the inspiration doesn’t mean you can no longer write. If you are to research on some of today’s most prolific English compositions, not all of them are done out of inspiration, but of thorough and careful study.
- Get serious with writing only when you are pursuing writing for a career.
People think that writers are only destined to career paths that make use of writing, such as journalism and literature. However, almost every job requires you to write in one way or another. You write letters, memos, reports, and other forms of communication, and these are all about writing. And yes, the more skilled you are at writing, the wider the job opportunities that will come your way.
- Writing is hard.
People think writing is hard, and only those who are truly passionate with the craft are able to pull off a good draft. But like any other project, writing an essay or a story can be hard only if you have not prepared for it yet. So yes, if you want to notion of writing being a hard task to complete, you have to practice writing as early as you can.
- Don’t write if you are not a good writer.
Writing is for everyone. It’s not an exclusive craft that’s only accessible to a certain few. It’s a form of communication, and regardless if you are prolific or not, you should not hold yourself back from holding the pen and jotting your thoughts on paper.
