Myths about Writing
and Writers
By Aaron Nielsenshultz
Don't let these myth-conceptions get in your way!
Despite the fact that people write in different ways and with different styles, we all have some misconceptions floating around. These ideas can get in your way when you’re trying to write, so take comfort in knowing they’re not true.
You have to know what you want to say in order to write.
If this were true, most of us wouldn’t start writing in the first place! While it’s true that some preparation can help, at times the best way to find out what you want to write is to jump right in. When you’re really struggling to get ideas out, in fact, writing without a direction can clear that block.
Writing should be easy.
When you find your groove, or your muse, or whatever you want to call that magic place, yes, writing can be easy. Much of the time, though, writing can be the single most frustrating task on your to-do list. Given that most writers draft, edit, cut, rework, and start over, we should all recognize that good writing is in no way easy.
Writing should be right the first time.
In all our years being around writers, we’ve known perhaps two people who could write perfectly the first time. For most of us, though, writing is a process of composing, editing, hashing, rewriting, and so on until you finally decide that enough’s enough.
Writing can be done to order.
Often enough, we force this one to be true. You have a deadline, you have to meet it, so you write. It’s true that we can produce things under pressure like this—and some people even prefer that pressure—but there will be times when the thoughts just aren’t coming, or they’re not coming with the ease you’d like.
A writer is a special kind of person.
We’ve often been surprised at how many people, once they hear what we do, are willing to say, “I’m not a writer.” Then they go on to talk about how much writing they do! Truth is, we are ALL writers, starting with the moment we commit that first keystroke or pencil scratch.
© 2006 Red Pepper Writing
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Yara and Aaron Nielsenshultz, the Writing "Peppers" and founders of Red Pepper Writing, teach ambitious Coaches, Consultants, and other Solopreneurs how to use powerful writing to get more clients and make more money. For FREE weekly writing tips, visit http://www.redpepperwriting.com.
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