The Myths Of Writing: Have You Bought Into These

There is an image most people carry of the artist think Van Goughs self-portrait, the one with his ear bandaged, working in solitude in a barren garret in a dark corner of the city. Everyday is a struggle. He continually walks between moments of brilliance and moments of insanity. Its a romantic image, I suppose. Built around the belief that an artist must suffer for his art.

This applies not only to the painter, mind you, but also to the actor, the dancer, the photographer, the writer. We all must suffer for our art.

But image and reality are often two different things. Writing, for example, does NOT have to be a torturous process of endurance and pain. In fact, it should be exactly the opposite. Liberating. Joyous. Enlightening. Why else would you want to invest so much of yourself in it

So lets take a closer look at a few common writing myths.

This first one actually applies in all areas of a persons life. Simply stated: Having a big ego is a bad thing. Its unbecoming. Its boastful. It puts you in a negative light.

The truth is … if you want to be a success at anything, you need an ego. It motivates you, keeps you moving, pushes you to do your best. Its not your enemy. Its your ally.

The key to making it work for you is to keep it directed inward. Pump yourself up silently. Let it fill you with pride and a sense of possibilities. Thats what the ego does best. Used wisely, it will move you toward your writing goals, not away from them.

Our next common writing myth is one you hear all the time: you have to write something original.

What is originality

Theres only one thing in the world that can make your work original. Thats you. Because thats all you have to bring to the table as a writer. Who you are. Your history. Your experiences. Your family. Your beliefs.

When a publisher says he wants something original, hes saying he wants something fresh, something that reflects you the writer. He wants your voice, your honesty. The world already has a Stephen King and a Mary Higgins Clark and a John Grisham. It doesnt need more of them.

Our final common writing myth though there is no shortage of such myths, we are limited by space: the slower you write, the more time you spend with each and every word, the better your writing will be.

The catch to this one is simple: theres a time and place for writing, and theres a time and place for editing.

When you mix the two activities which are very different in their requirements and purpose, you rarely do either one justice. If anything will suffer, it will be your writing. Because suddenly youll be under the constraints of the editor sitting on your shoulder. Youll be fretting over the words while losing perspective on the more important elements of the story. Does the scene work Are your characters being true to their nature Does this move the story forward

The truth is this: your writing will ALWAYS be better when you write in the moment. Remember when you were a child When you could spend hours building a sand castle or playing catch or flying a kite Those were moments when nothing else in the world existed because you were completely absorbed in the activity. Write with that same captivation, as if each scene were unfolding right before your eyes, and youll find your writing will not only be vivid and powerful, it will flow faster than you ever imagined possible.

Writing does not have to be a torturous, exacting process.

Allow yourself to have fun with it, and youll be a better writer for the effort.