The Myths

1. “Writer” is a synonym for “anti-social”.

Maybe some of us are. But the fact is, there is a healthy balance of both introverted and extroverted writers, just like with all other professions. We introverts have to do a bit more research about the things we haven’t done, while extroverts will just go out and do them. And while introverts tend to people-watch and observe from afar, extroverts get in on the action and interact with people to get ideas for writing. To each her own.

2. Only writers who have connections get published.

A total myth. It might help to know people, but that’s not the only way. What gets you published – to be frank – is just not giving up.

3. All writers have perfect grammar, spelling, and type really well.

Naw. That ain’t true. I know plenty of writers who have first drafts that look like a kitten and a baby battled it out on their keyboard. Some writers are dyslexic which makes this perfection standard a bit more daunting. Basically, not all writers are nit-picky editors as well.

4. Writers are channeling some creative force from “above”

Haha. Ha. Hahaha. Come on, people. Why does an amazing architect get all the credit for her work, and we writers have to explain that no, it wasn’t just us, it was an indescribable, other-worldly force pushing us to write, and if we ignored it, we’d explode into a thousand pieces? Start owning your accomplishments, artists! You’re channeling nothing but your own creativity and intelligence. That “force” is just your ego pressuring you to succeed in something you’re passionate about.

5. A good writer is born, not made

Yes, some writers claim to have begun writing novels as soon as they graduated from baby diapers to pull-ups. There’s so much suspicion going around that writers who aren’t born with the “gift” are just posers trying to take over the industry. Not true! Why do you think all those workshops are so successful? Because they WORK. Like the famous Iowa Writer’s Workshop. You graduate there, and you’ve learned enough to become Stephen King three times over. Writing CAN be learned, it just depends on whether the person doing the learning can take criticism and move forward from obvious failures.

6. Every book you read makes you a better writer

This is the mythiest myth that ever mythed. What you’re doing when you’re reading is reading. You’re not practicing your writing. So while you may extract ideas or analyze the book to death (like yours truly), the only way to really improve your writing is by doing the thing. Reading does boost the imagination so it’s a helpful exercise for anyone, not just writers, but if you’re a writer who’s always short on time, maybe consider cutting back on reading others’ books in order to create your own.

The Truths

1. There is no one best method for writing

You can read as many how-to books by famous authors and still not figure out the secret. In the end, it all comes down to your own individual abilities. Some writers are amazing at descriptions and a bit weak with dialogue. Other writers can write the best action scenes but when it comes to pathos, they fall a little short. No writer is perfect at every “aspect” of writing, and certain no writer can claim to have the best method. If you had to dress up as the Mad Hatter and spread butter on pocket watches in order to write a good story, so be it. Everyone works differently. That’s the beauty of artistry.

2. Writing alone isn’t a great career choice

Want to be a writer, and just a writer? Good luck. Very few published writers do only writing. Most have other jobs and write “on the side”. Go ahead and read all those blog posts about how to do writing full time. Freelancing gives you a handful of pocket money, at best. Forget about paying your mortgage with that.

3. Yes, characters can and do control writers

Some writers get into a meditative state when writing. This is akin to getting drunk. The fewer inhibitions you have, the freer you feel. Well, it’s the same with a writer’s brain. I know I find myself just writing without thinking. I’m IN the story not ABOVE it, and my characters begin to do things and make decisions that I couldn’t have foreseen or planned. Now, this isn’t channeling higher powers. This is getting your brain into a state of calmness, utterly blagging off any distraction in the outside world. You forget about your physical self.

4. There is no magic formula for a good story

So you have perfect grammar. So you have a perfect plot. So you have colorful description, not too much backstory, plenty of action balanced with slow emotional scenes, character development, allies and enemies, sub-plots, romances, the works. Doesn’t mean you have a good story. There’s no magic template for writing books—if that were true, robots could do it. There has to be something else—good storytelling, which no amount of textbooks, workshops, how-tos, or checklists can ever provide. It’s instinct, if you will. The humanness coming out of the writer. It’s what distinguishes us from the robots. It’s what makes us care about a story and want to relive it again and again.

What are some myths and truths you know about? Please share!