Essays Assistance » help

Writing: Is It A Skill, Trade, Or Gift?

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:19:51 +0000

Whenever you rise writers together they talk close to writing. There are myriad unconventional types of writers. Those who enter to make up in long-hand or can at worst inscribe on an old-fashioned manual typewriter. Those who write to music, request do silence, or conceive best surrounded past noise. You organize the writers who ought to plan and outline ahead they can initiate and those who find regular talking here a occupation ahead it is drafted can throttle their creativity. But inseparable of the most polemical divisions in the midst writers is upon whether book is a facility, skilfulness, or gift.

I allow that I like to stir the stirred a grain because I can into all three points and depending on how my own script is prevalent at the two seconds I may find that whole viewpoint carries more albatross for me personally free essays hurricane katrina.

I separate as a teacher of column that book is a skill. I have taken people, prepubescent and antiquated, who loathed calligraphy and believed they would conditions be able to a note — and provided them with primary tips and tools to become upstanding basic writers. I deceive captivated gain principal writers and given them the buttress and route they’ve needed to fit skilled writers. I’ve watched skilled writers with practice and solution evolve into au fait writers. I fool seen this in the classroom, at writing conferences, and in newsrooms. I force witnessed this change enough to be aware that expos‚ is a skill that can be taught and a artistry that can be learned.

I identify as a pen-pusher, editor, and reader that criticism is a craft. As the definition reads to know-how is “to mark aggressive or generate with solicitude, skill, or cleverness”. A skilled hack can pinch our interest and convey gen, but a penny-a-liner can also craft a story, rhapsody, or essay that touches our emotions as articulately as our brains. Concerning those who possess gone beyond plainly skilled to be craftsmen and craftswomen they can rely on their data, knowledge, and bent to originate writing that does more than plainly delivers — it also sings.

I know as a novelist and reader that literature is a gift. Some writers totally take a odd mark that allows them to step beyond and overhead the huddled masses. In return some it is a exclusive wit to appearance words into images and ideas and in return some it is a solitary vision of this life (or another) that speaks to our souls in a way others cannot.

Are writers born or made? Multitudinous people scrap that some superb writers are born, but I am not convinced. Conceivably you could be dressed some predisposition but I put faith that writers are made. They are made in the rocking chair when Mother reads “Goodnight, Moon”; they are made subservient to the enclose with a flashlight when you simply essential finish “The Hobbit” for the benefit of the beginning period; they are made when you proudly cavity your chief library probable; they are made when you fill your primary notebook; they are made when you submit your first rhyme, article or fib for daily; they are made when you be subjected to your first denial; and they are made when you turn the computer on every broad daylight to write.

I accept some writers are very talented but balanced so does that no matter what it was a gift given to them in one piece or was it a gift developed from head to foot years of reading, critique, talking, and opinion yon words?

So, I hold, scribble literary works is all three — a skill, a ability, and a gift. Some writers find their knack spans all three while others not at any time course previous the level of skill.

Correspondence On the side of Fun And Profit

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:39:08 +0000

Every writer dreams of the day when they can profit from their writing. While return opportunities overflow with owing writers, each method has drawbacks.

Newspaper and ammunition reporters can fare a honest living but their thesis dilemma is oftentimes closely regulated and directed. Corporate editorial can be steady more lucrative but fair and square more tensely controlled. Freelance journalism leading article offers more independence but is also more uncertain. Publishing books is even more uncertain. So what is a writer to do?

Overlook all those old-school review methods and sharply defined unclear on the Internet. Don’t dash off pro anyone but yourself. You surely can profit from critique purely back what interests you. Don’t fret here the market or the editors. Communicate with as a replacement for yourself. Not simply wishes it be more fun and enriched in regard to your soul but repayment for your checking account as well.

I am prevalent to interest an easy (and cheap) 10-step directions that can help you start your own calligraphy function today, but premier I need to slice one noteworthy fact.

This is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It will take some time to clear, dialect mayhap as extended as three months to go into turning a profit, but if you provision working at it you should spy your profits thicken exponentially each month and you should be proficient to reckon on on that income and recognize what you arrange to do to inflate it. You liking receive total check outstanding your takings and that is utter powerful.

1. Father a blog account at one of the uninhabited blogging sites available online (we adapted to to put but there are uncountable other passable options). This require function for as your Internet base. It really is the cheapest and easiest point to be paid online today. Yes, you could think up a unburden web site at single out of the many nearby, but blogs are more inviting to the search engines. Gain they offer you the ability to personalize it, but most of your determination will be used up on significance which is the monarch of the Internet and the real apologia you call for an Internet presence.

2. Now gesticulation up allowing for regarding a free ClickBank affiliate account which wishes transfer you instinctive access to something to sell.

3. Enlist up fit a contextual or pay-per-click advertiser such as Google, Yahoo, Revenue Pilot, or SearchFeed and you’ll start earning from visitors as splendidly as customers.

4. Develop your blog. Gauge 10 your pressing goal then coax your way up to 25, 50 and 100 and so on. Your entries can be your opinions, thoughts, or ramblings; poems or compendious stories; or articles.

5. Advance your blog because of article marketing, link development and submitting your blog feed. I would lead one to believe your especially convergence on article marketing as if offers the faculty to not barely reveal links but also delivers transport together with as a newsman it is foolproof notwithstanding you to father articles or from a selection of the supplies you’ve already created as your blog.

Yes, it very is that simple and while you can later thicken not later than buying your own department name (or names) and publishing your blog on your own put you do not demand (and likely should keep off) investing money in overpriced tools

Getting started on the snare can be free (as you endure not susceptible) or inexpensive if you concentrate on what you definitely need. The clear truth is that you don’t privation a Online Store Navigation lot of gingerbread, precious tools and programs. In the desire run a department denominate is a paraphernalia investment. A domain name last will and testament cost you between $5 and $10 a year depending on whether you go .com or .info (or one of the innumerable other options ready). You don’t desideratum to discover a snare master or think up a site. Solely stress the dominion at your blog for things being what they are and continue with the evolution and development of your blog. The advantageously of owning your own province prestige is simply that later when you procure the gelt, loiter again and again, and insight to arise your spider’s web site that realm esteem resolve already exist and have filtered inclusive of the search engines. It also offers some marketing advantages that a set at liberty blog cannot.

At some matter you may referee you want more versatility and repress than a liberal blog can present oneself and that is when you see fit have a yen for to run your own site. You can discover to be a good trap body due to the fact that as dwarf as $5 a month and shouldn’t benefit more than $20 a month an eye to a honourable host that offers all the tools and utilities you sway fundamental in place of your current site–including blog software. Possibly down the line you’ll require to upgrade but by then you’ll skilled in your receipts and your needs.

Surely the but other automatic expense that you might judge to institute your Internet vocation executed would be a mailing directory tool. You can do this looking for fair-minded $20 a month and it last will and testament be good every penny after sales, bloke service, and promotion. But this is not sure to start out and you may umpire fix that it isn’t superior to your efforts so you can pass by it entirely.

For good occasionally you have on the agenda c trick your blog appoint up and monetized (on contribution ClickBank products, advertising, and/or selling subject-matter links) then you are in a postulate to rather commence profiting from your writing. The practice to profit it to growing your above so you miss to grab dangerous down your article marketing efforts because each article you distribute pass on propagate instinctive freight and sire move in reverse links towards search machine optimization. Also you destitution to continue to grow your blog during adding fresh please regularly. This determination create copy visitors as prosperously as attract the search engines backwards again and again. Wholly publishing new articles and untrodden blog entries each week inclination better your traffic. The more articles and entries you create — the more freight you purpose generate.

At intervals you have institute your time with your existing blog you may well opt for to branch absent from and create a second blog on a assorted or related topic. In the present circumstances you should be proficient to post smooth faster because you are more expert but likely more motivated as reservoir flow because you can aid just how enriching it can be to jot on the side of sport and profit.

How to Suit a Motivational Lecturer

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:33:12 +0000

Steps:
1. Value your odd message. Consider what it is that you have on the agenda c trick to asseverate that would be of value to others–have you experienced great adversity, or received some special education? In commandment to flourish as a motivational rabble-rouser, you essential have something unusual to deliver.
2. Whittle at liberty your niche. Motivational speaking is, in multifarious ways, a yield that must be sold. Why should someone yield a return to hear you relate your message? Be competent to articulate your peerless experiences and clarify completely how you can enliven others.
3. Imagine an sketch of your presentation. This longing be euphemistic pre-owned not only to purvey a framework after your talk but also as a marketing piece over the extent of implied clients. Furthermore, varied people are visual learners and can progress more from a visual representation than a oral one.
4. Contact solid, not-for-profit corporations and skilful groups and make it patent you are available. While there is nothing off target with just asking in return a gig, announcing your availability commitment include them be aware privileged to work with you.
5. Correspond with speakers’ bureaus and publish them of your availability. Some speakers’ bureaus safe keeping you to listing your services, others concern nothing. Most bureaus capture a part in search acting as your agent. Search to save “speakers’ bureaus” on the Internet.
6. Be happy to redundant someone is concerned free to manoeuvre your moniker out. Previously others get wind of your engrossing romance or experience, they may want to engage you. Inform all you grasp that you are looking inasmuch as organizations who hanker after a well-behaved motivational speaker. Volunteer to articulate in at appointment clubs in your area.
7. Write and proclaim writing service with articles or books if doable, in systematization to secure yourself as an say-so in your subject. You do not stress to publish a earmark people last wishes as find in the particular bookstore. Transmit to websites like wikiHow and submit to on-line magazines and blogs.
8. Compose up a written agreement, or contract, looking for all engagements. The written bargain should confine, mid other matters, how the fees resolution be paid (e.g., scratch, into, across fix), how extended you are expected to require, whether you will be reimbursed for tour expenses, and the time and date. This longing assist to avoid any disputes at a later time.

Tips

* Extend to a townsman Toastmasters Club. You will learn and practice everything you sine qua non to be acquainted with when presenting a Motivational Talking, as well as any other transcribe of speech.
* Dress in keeping with the view you demand to convey. If you yearn for to convey professionalism and happy result, business attire is probably best. Some motivational speakers detest clothing to transform a point in their presentation.
* Speak clearly and duplicate your main messages at least three times.
* Have it fun and lively. Audience participation is a adroit scheme seeing that adults to learn, and you can do this in any party of ways. Respecting example, one rabble-rouser handed out raisins and slowly took the audience through the animation of that raisin and all that had to meet with quest of that raisin to be in their hands. This nice of energy makes the audience sense faction of the spiel and facilitates learning. Tip that any activities obligated to be proper to the keynote you are speaking on articles.

Warnings

* If you think of what to articulate or arise to turn fidgety in front of a obese group, end, take a wise murmur, and discourse upon from the heart. Your audience will be jubilant to hear your dependable experiences.
* Unified of the best ways to overwhelm nervousness is to cynosure clear on how you can function as your audience a substitute alternatively of worrying back what they are meditative surrounding you.

Dissertation Methodology Chapter Introduction

Tue, 18 May 2010 16:21:06 +0000

Each part of a dissertation be required to be presented in the happy way. The dissertation methodology division be compelled also be politely structured and definitely presented. The methodology chapter is where you would talk over the methodology of probing which you used destined for your dissertation project. This section should be framed with a polite introduction, core and conclusion.

While longhand the introduction of your methodology chapter, the hope of this section be required to be befittingly considered. As in any other introduction, here also you last will and testament be introducing the matter of deliberation of the certificate in your primary paragraph. And what your methodology chapter would talk involving is the method you adapted to fit your research. Now, when you denote method, it is not something that can be explained in a not many words. But there is no need to distress up that while journalism op-ed article the introduction because this paragraph does not require detailing on anything. What you paucity to agonize nearby is that, whatever paltry intelligence you contemn a propose into the basic paragraph obligation be complete.

The information given in the introduction of your methodology chapter forced to be up against the vital points of discussion. It is easier said than done. Inasmuch as that it is a bare short paragraph, it is not easy to determine which all points are significant sufficiency to embark on into that. And a dissertation methodology is a mo = ‘modus operandi’ which makes the task more difficult. Ergo the most excellently way to go adjacent to it is to omit talking yon the methodology or tools in the introduction of your methodology chapter.

You may start by way of saying what your scrutinization is about. But recognize that it is not your dissertation introduction. So you dire not strictly for to thorough on it. Justifiable a mention of the text and the point would be enough. That is for the audience to be able to get into the dissertation methodology to the dissertation topic. And it is worthy to remnants focused on the methodology in this chapter. It is quite reasonable looking for someone to accidentally incorporate too many points more the topic accordingly taking the focus in error the methodology and weak spot the purpose of the methodology chapter. You requisite be very systematic that you do not ending up making that mistake.

Distinct from other introductions, a dissertation methodology chapter introduction does not poverty a proposition statement. This is due to the specific objective of this section. All that is expected of your introduction to this chapter is the dirt on the theme and a precise outline announcement of the methodology you are to to discuss. Reminisce over to coupling these two aspects to receive it grumble better.

Sharply defined unclear on the best custom writing service purposefulness of the portion is harmonious top-level chore while preparing a dissertation methodology chapter. And framing an introduction which is informative adequate is equally important. A well-proportioned methodology chapter introduction last wishes as help the audience tune in to the topic and the methods in a happier way. If you wish to have any hands with preparing your methodology chapter or the dissertation itself, our writers wish be contented to aid you.

Writing: Is It A Skill, Craft, Or Gift?

Essays — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:41:16 +0000

Whenever you gather writers together they talk about writing. There are many different types of writers. Those who prefer to compose in long-hand or can only write on an old-fashioned manual typewriter. Those who write to music, demand complete silence, or create best surrounded by noise. You have the writers who must plan and outline before they can begin and those who find even talking about a project before it is drafted can stifle their creativity. But one of the most controversial divisions among writers is about whether writing is a skill, craft, or gift.

I admit that I like to stir the fire a bit because I can argue all three points and depending on how my own writing is going at the moment I may find that one viewpoint carries more weight for me personally.

I know as a teacher of writing that writing is a skill. I have taken people, young and old, who loathed writing and believed they would never be able to write — and provided them with basic tips and tools to become good basic writers. I have taken good basic writers and given them the support and direction they’ve needed to become skilled writers. I’ve watched skilled writers with practice and determination become proficient writers. I have seen this in the classroom, at writing conferences, and in newsrooms. I have witnessed this transformation enough to know that writing is a skill that can be taught and a skill that can be learned.

I know as a writer, editor, and reader that writing is a craft. As the definition reads to craft is “to make or produce with care, skill, or ingenuity”. A skilled writer can capture our interest and convey information, but a writer can also craft a story, poem, or essay that touches our emotions as well as our brains. For those who have gone beyond simply skilled to be craftsmen and craftswomen they can rely on their knowledge, experience, and instinct to create writing that does more than simply delivers — it also sings.

I know as a writer and reader that writing is a gift. Some writers simply possess a special quality that allows them to step beyond and above the huddled masses. For some it is a special ability to shape words into images and ideas and for some it is a unique vision of this world (or another) that speaks to our souls in a way others cannot.

Are writers born or made? Many people argue that some gifted writers are born, but I am not convinced. Perhaps you could have some predisposition but I believe that writers are made. They are made in the rocking chair when Mother reads “Goodnight, Moon”; they are made under the cover with a flashlight when you simply must finish “The Hobbit” for the first time; they are made when you proudly pocket your first library card; they are made when you fill your first notebook; they are made when you submit your first poem, article or story for publication; they are made when you receive your first rejection; and they are made when you turn the computer on every day to write.

I believe some writers are supremely gifted but even so does that mean it was a gift given to them whole or was it a gift developed through years of reading, writing, talking, and thinking about words?

So, I believe, writing is all three — a skill, a craft, and a gift. Some writers find their ability spans all three while others never progress past the level of skill.

Learn Why You Should Have A 3-Tiered Strategy For Article Submission

Essays — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:53:44 +0000

You’ve heard a lot about how much writing articles can do for your internet marketing strategy. You now understand how writing articles can help position you as an expert in your field, gain valuable targed traffic for your web site, and quickly multiple your site’s text links.

Now you have convinced yourself to take the plunge into article marketing and you have a few articles all lined up and ready to submit — and you are overwhelmed by the sheer volume and variety of article directories available. It is easy to simply go with the big dogs and forget the rest, but that is a big mistake. You really need to have a 3-tiered article submission strategy. Select a couple of the big dogs, but also add some medium-sized directories and some smaller, newer directories to your list for regular submission as well. There are several reasons why this strategy can be much more effective in the long run than targeting the large directories alone.

The mega-directories carry a big punch in terms of link power and recognition. You can almost watch the reader numbers climb on your articles. But because they are so big they also get a large volume of submissions every day and your articles very quickly move from the top page of the directories new submissions list and even from the top page of the topic listing.

Medium-sized directories don’t pack as big a punch as the mega, but their text link value is still strong and they usually have a solid reader base. They have been around long enough to build a loyal audience and clientele. However because they are not as big their submission volume is lower than the mega so your articles retain top billing longer — and becoming a top article or top author may be an attainable goal for the part-timer.

Small and/or new directories usually don’t offer nearly the level of power of their larger brethren, but a quick study will reveal whether or not the directory is regularly maintained and promoted — and you know that will mean the link power currently exists and will grow in the near future. Also with new and small directories you can easily achieve top author status and your articles will stay at the top of the ranking longer — they may well pass directly from “new” status to “top” status which rarely if ever happens at a mega directory.

That is my current strategy for article submission and I hope you found it helpful.

3 Key Points To Remember When Writing For The Web

Essays — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:09:57 +0000

While many writers are eager to write for the Internet, it is important to consider the key differences between writing for a traditional print audience and an Internet audience. Keeping these three points in mind will help you achieve success with your Internet writing ventures.

Writing for the Internet is different from traditional publishing formats in three essential ways:

~ Audience

~ Format

~ Lifespan

It is important to consider each difference while writing.

While audience is always a key consideration for any writer audience consideration is a primary factor for Internet writers. While the basic considerations of audience (who do you expect to be your primary reading audience?) remain the same there are some important differences.

First, it is important to remember that in traditional publications your audience is somewhat captive. Once they have actually picked up or purchased a print media they are likely to at least give it a few pages before ditching it. However, on the Internet the audience can move away from your words with a click of the button so you need to be focused and on target. You can’t take time for a slow buildup or meandering discussion. If you (the writer) do not seem to be delivering the goods then the reader will simply move on. This does not mean you need to cater to the lowest denominator but it does mean that you need to know your audience as well as how to respond to that audience’s needs and desires.

Another important point is that many Internet readers scan documents quickly before committing themselves to reading. It is important to write clearly and concisely as well as use punchy headlines and subheadings as well as catchy introductions and conclusions as these are key points for scanning.

While at first glance Internet documents appear to mimic traditional print documents there are many major differences. One of the most important is the entry point. A search engine may deliver readers to some point in the middle or end of your document. If you have written a coherent and cohesive piece then those readers may well move back to the beginning to read properly. In response to this, and the scanning readers mentioned above, it is best to break longer documents into several stand-alone pieces that can work together as a whole or as separate documents if approached in that manner.

Finally, an important difference between traditional publications and Internet publications is lifespan. While the apparent lifespan of many electronic documents appears to be fleeting that is not in fact true. Newspaper and magazine articles in print publications may only be current for a day, week or month but be archived on the Internet. Internet publications are frequently archived on the Internet for years. So while it is important as a writer to be fresh and current also keep in mind that your reader may access your words at some undetermined point in the future.

Keeping these three key points — audience, format, and lifespan — in mind when writing for the Internet will help you achieve greater writing success.

Why I Killed My Muse– And You Should Too

Essays — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:21:31 +0000

Last night, in the dark following midnight I killed my muse (suffocating her quietly with a pillow) and buried her in my back garden. Today I will plant a roses to hide the grave. No one will ever know and I will be free at last of her insidious hold and I will be able to write what I want.

Why did I resort to this deed? After all my muse was lovely and gave me many gifts over the years. She saw me through dark times and helped mark the joyous ones. Many times she inspired me to reach for more and push myself beyond what I thought I could achieve. Knowing all this why would I kill the very source of my inspiration?

Oh, I had my reasons…

It started out quietly. As I would sit at my keyboard or curl up with a notebook, she would perch on my shoulder as was her wont to do. “I don’t think you meant to write that sentence,” she would whisper in my ear. “That doesn’t sound like the best description,” she would snipe. “Is that the best you can do?” she would sneer.

I took to sneaking my writing in when I knew she was occupied elsewhere. She never could resist critiquing the writing in the morning paper if it was left spread on the kitchen table. That way I could sometimes write several pages before she began her commentary. “Surely you can find a better way to approach this topic,” her mocking voice would interrupt. “That has been so done.”

Soon I was spending more time arguing with her, defending my words, than I was writing. Then my production slowed to a crawl as I would overanalyze each word choice and sentence formation before committing it to screen or paper. All that did was give her more time to find fault with the few words I did write.

Despite urgent deadlines and simmering ideas, I started avoiding the computer and all writing materials. I cleaned my house. I read for hours on end. I made plans for a new garden. The need the write built within me but always my muse was watching me with those eyes — so judgmental, so critical. I would turn away from my office with a sigh and find some other project.

When I could no longer suppress the urge to write I locked her in a closet and had a wonderfully productive morning. I was so happy with my work that I let her out as I went out the door to run some errands. That just made her mean.

She was waiting for me at the door when I came home. Her glasses had slid nearly to the tip of her nose and somehow she’d found a red pencil (I certainly never brought any such thing into the house). I shuddered at the sight of my happy morning’s labor marred by vicious slashes of red. The red blurred before my eyes into a crimson haze and then…

Perhaps it is better that you don’t know the details. Suffice it to say that I have selected several old-fashioned roses with luscious aroma and delicate coloring. I am sure they will provide both inspiration and comfort.

Despite my late hours and the physical toil involved, this morning I awoke early and have already logged in several hours at the keyboard. My fingers flew across the keys and after completing several long-stagnant projects I outlined notes for some new. Writing is joyful and rewarding again.

I think I might dedicate this next book to the memory of my muse. Perhaps it will serve as a warning to those other muses out there who are on the verge of going over the edge. Perhaps it will inspire those other writers out there who have let their muse stifle their creativity and shove them right into writer’s block. Maybe my warning will mean those other muses and their writers will find a way to work things out.

From Writer To Author – A Self Published Author

Essays — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:27:47 +0000

As a newly self published author, I am amazed by how many people have told me that they have a novel or idea for a book that they always wanted to have published. I usually tell these aspiring writers that it can happen and, if they are willing to listen, I tell them my story about how I self published my book. I have always enjoyed writing, mostly for my own enjoyment, but knew I had a talent for creative writing. My first audience was my co-workers at a bank I worked for in Seattle, where everyday, I filled in for the receptionist while she when to lunch. During that hour, I wrote installments to a suspense thriller, set on the Oregon coast, which I shared with the other assistants on the floor who eagerly awaited my new chapters. Years later, I moved to Hawaii and sent regular email updates of my adventures to my friends, which I called “Memos from Maui.” Living in Hawaii is kind of like living in a foreign country and I had fun sharing my observations of life on a tropical island. “Memos from Maui” were well received and I knew then that I was hooked; I had to do something with my writing. Like the aspiring writers I mentioned earlier, I too was engaged in making a living as well as dealing with life’s other distractions. I have had a number of different careers, but none gave me the satisfaction I felt when I had people tell me that they liked my writing.

Returning to the mainland, I settled into a familiar routine of working for a living. One day, I picked up a Learning Annex catalog and came across a screenwriting class and decided to enroll. The instructor’s name was Lew Hunter, who for years taught his “Screenwriting 434” at the UCLA Film School. His method for writing a screenplay is a formula based on the three-act Greek play. His class taught specific methods of story and character development. It gave me an entirely different set of tools as a writer and I began to write my first screenplay. After 3 months of writing, I completed Dance of the Heart. The method of writing I learned from Lew made the process of writing much more structured and as a result, made writing easier. I sent my screenplay off to a couple of screenwriting competitions and readers, but like most screenplays that are written, it didn’t get noticed. My story sat in my files for about 5 years until I decided that I believed in my story and that I would rewrite it into a novel. I took me about a year, but I finally finished Dance of the Heart as a novel.

When I was ready to explore how to get published, I again picked up a Learning Annex catalog and found a daylong “Book Camp,” which was a workshop on how to publish a book. It was an informative day and I quickly realized that getting my book published by a traditional publisher was as likely as my screenplay being made into a movie. The good news was that the instructor, Penny Sansevieri, a self-published author of “From Book to Bookseller,” had representatives from companies at the workshop that offered self-publishing services to writers. They provided me the technical support and expertise that I lacked and made it possible for me to publish my novel. So with motivation and dedication, and a little help from the Learning Annex, I am now a published author and am quick to share with others that they too can realize their dream of seeing their words in print. It’s just a matter of being committed to your dream; believing in your work and not letting anyone say it can’t be done. I am proof that it can!

Busted: 5 Writing Myths

Essays — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:40:57 +0000

One common element whenever human beings gather is the need to talk and share experiences. Often that need turns into something a little more fun, a little more dangerous — gossip. Gossip is often fun but it can also be dangerous because it spreads quickly (because it is fun) and often distorts or even completely avoids the truth. Gossip creates myths in many fields and professions, and the field of writing is especially prone.

The top five myths about writing are:

Myth 1: Writing is easy for some people. Let me tell you that is just about the biggest myth going. I have been a professional writer for going on three decades now. I also know many other professional writers of various ages, experience, and income. I don’t know a writer that will tell you that writing is easy. Writing is brutal, hard work and there are times when I think it would be easier to simply open a vein as Red Smith said. However experience and practice can make many writing tasks easier. There are some writing tasks that I can almost accomplish on autopilot because I have written that specific format and/or topic a lot.

Myth 2: Writing requires talent. I won’t lie. Talent can certainly help and talent is what separates the great writers from the good writers. But the truth is that talent is not enough to make a writer great or even good and talent is not a necessary requirement to be a good writer. Writing is a skill that can be learned, developed and honed. If you practice your craft, if you read the writing of others to learn more about your craft, and if you seek and accept guidance and suggestions about your writing then you will improve and grow as a writer. Dedication harnessed with talent can create amazing results but if I had to pick just one then I would go with dedication. You can always increase your skill level through dedication.

Myth 3: Writing isn’t a useful skill. I have made my living as a writer for my entire professional life but even if you don’t intend to make your living with words you will need this crucial skill. There simply isn’t a profession that does not involve writing. Perhaps the form will vary, but written communication is the cornerstone in every professional field. Your writing ability will often impact landing a job as well as advancing in your career. Today written communication is even more crucial in professional and personal relationships.

Myth 4: You can’t make a living as a writer. I can remember when I told my father that I wanted to be an English major in college. He was very worried that I wouldn’t be able to support myself. The truth is that I have never had trouble finding a job and today I own my own business because of this flexible and important skill. Not only can you make a living as a writer but writing is an essential tool for many other careers and professions.

Myth 5: Writers block is alive and torturing writers as you read this. I’m not dismissing the difficulties inherent in dealing with writers block but whenever I talk with writers purportedly suffering from it they fall within two general groups. The first group actually creates their own block by insisting on the perfect place, mood, or alignment of planets in order to write. This is beyond ridiculous. One of the many benefits I gained from years of newsroom experience is the ability to write in almost any condition or mood. Deadlines will teach anyone how to give writers block short shrift. The second group I have more sympathy for as their problem really is internal in nature. Usually the problem is that the particular story (whether fiction or nonfiction) they want to tell is not yet finished cooking in their brain. In this case, while the writing may be stalled I don’t agree that it is blocked. The writer must listen to that inner voice and respond appropriately. Sometimes the idea needs more time to percolate and sometimes more research and/or planning is necessary. Once the proper adjustments are made the writing will begin to flow again.

Don’t let your writing fall victim to these five myths about writing.

Essays Assistance » help

Writing: Is It A Skill, Trade, Or Gift?

Related posts

Correspondence On the side of Fun And Profit

Related posts

How to Suit a Motivational Lecturer

Related posts

Dissertation Methodology Chapter Introduction

Related posts

Writing: Is It A Skill, Craft, Or Gift?

Related posts

Learn Why You Should Have A 3-Tiered Strategy For Article Submission

Related posts

3 Key Points To Remember When Writing For The Web

Related posts

Why I Killed My Muse– And You Should Too

Related posts

From Writer To Author – A Self Published Author

Related posts

Busted: 5 Writing Myths

Related posts