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I don’t know about you, but I can think of more than one occasion whereon I decided against doing something because I’d heard something about the activity that put me off. These days, I’m running head-first into the unknown and working on the things I want to do, regardless of what so-and-so told me years ago. Let’s debunk some common writing myths, together!
Best-selling ideas come will just come to you.
Sure, it happens to a small number of people. But chances are, it won’t happen to you. Great ideas come from within, and they come from your thoughts and your feelings.
Statistically speaking, there’s virtually no chance that you’re going to be struck randomly with a full-blown series idea which riding the train.
Don’t let that mindset get you down. You need to sit down and brainstorm— word-vomit, even— to get some ideas out there. Flesh those ideas out, and write what feels best for you.
Waiting for that ‘struck by creative lightning’ moment will come with nothing but regret.
You need to write flawlessly if you want to write a novel.
… Have you read Fifty Shades of Grey?
I digress. One doesn’t need to write flawlessly to be published. The concept of writing a novel is knowing that you have a cohesive plot, well-rounded characters, and a story of interest. If you’re not the best with spelling or grammar, there are people who are.
Heck, even if you think you’re a human spell-checker, you need to let a professional edit your work before you publish. I bet you dollars to donuts you’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t.
Even a professional editor shouldn’t edit their own writing, because they’d be so familiar with their own writing style, and with what they’ve written that it would be so easy to miss an erroneous missing word because they know what the sentence is supposed to say.
Only readers can be writers.
Heck no.
While being well-read will certainly help you understand how to write a tight plot, or provide you oodles of inspiration, the two don’t need to go hand in hand. In fact, I have a grudging respect for people who write brilliant novels without caring to read for pleasure.
Even if you are a reader, you’re not limited to writing only for the genre you prefer to read, either. A horror fanatic can write children’s books, and a poetry lover can write for academic journals.
Writing is a solitary activity.
Writing can be solitary, but there’s no reason why it has to be. Even with the current state of the world in a pandemic, for NaNoWriMo a group of local writers might join a Discord (as I did, with mine!). Joining virtual write-ins and discussing ideas among others who know what you’re feeling can be very helpful.
If you want to share your works in progress with your friends and family, that’s absolutely fine too.
Just know that the life of a writer isn’t required to be the life of a lonely hermit. You can involve others in your writing journey as much or as little as you see fit.
Writing should be easy.
I mean, yeah? It should be. However, it’s not. Some people find it natural, and others find it painstakingly difficult.
The way I see it is: maybe those who find it easy crave more of a challenge, and get satisfaction from the pursuit of that. And perhaps those who find it very difficult are even more proud of their final products.
Consider as well that much of the written word is backed by research, interviews, studies, and many notebooks full of scribbles. Writing isn’t easy, but it’s as hard as you want it to be. There are ways to set yourself up for success by doing the bulk of the planning and research work before you actually start your first chapter.
Final thoughts
There are many more writing myths out there, but we can save some of those for another time. For now, my ask is that you think about why you’re not writing at the moment. Are you worried about you’ll be ostracized? Do you think whatever you write won’t be any good?
Worry not, my loves.
These writing myths and many other preconceived notions about creative pursuits all have one thing in common: they’re used as excuses.
So let me give you one last piece of advice: shut up and write now.
It’s a good day to have a good day. 🙂