Commonly Held Assumptions About Writing That Are Totally B.S.

It's pretty clear that movies, social media, television shows, books, and yes even blog posts about writing can give many writers different impressions of what it means to be an author and this can leave aspiring authors to hold misconceptions about what it means to be a writer. 

It's time to talk about some of them and set things right. 

You Have To Write Every Day to Be An Author 

This is common advice given to new writers from "successful" writers all the time and while yes, having a daily word count works for some writers it doesn't work for them all. 

Those who give this advice are usually already making profits large enough as writers, that writing is all they have to do (and well all the other things that go with writing) but some of us have other jobs to pay the bills while we write or have responsibilities such as families or schooling that make writing every day an unrealistic burden to place on new writers. 

Write when you can, as often as you can. 

It doesn't have to be every day. 

Writers Can't Write When They Have Writer's Block 

I'm sorry to tell you - but writer's block - isn't a real thing. 

It's only a temporary challenge… more of a puddle than a brick wall and even then there are always ways to get around, over, or under a brick wall. 

Take a step back from your writing if you need to, switch to another project, or try some creative exercises that might just get you out of your writing slump and back into your story. 

Your First Draft Has To Be Perfect 

If you ever have someone tell you this - you have full permission to dump a bottle of fine glitter somewhere on their person. (They will never be rid of it and always remember their mistake) 

There is not a single book on the shelves at your local or large cooperation bookstore that was published at the stage of the first draft. 

I very often relate first drafts to being a bowl of alphabet soup on the page - it's only through editing that the mess has any hope of being a true story.. and there's nothing wrong with that. 

The first draft of any story is the stage when ideas come from the inside and find a place to live on the outside and there's nothing wrong with it not looking pretty at first... like a newborn baby (I'm sorry - but also kind of not.) So don't stress if it's looking a little (or a lot) less than perfect. 

Writing Can't Be Taught 

The first time I heard this was in my second year of college and from my Creative Writing Professor - he didn't like it when I asked him why he was teaching a class on something that supposedly couldn't be taught.

Sure some have more natural talent for writing the same as there are just some people who can whistle - but this doesn't mean that those who don't have the skill or who aren't the best at it can't be taught.

Writing can be learned from the simple acts of reading, practice, and feedback. There are also many reputable YouTube videos (yes there are also classes but why pay for something when it's available for free) that can help you work through parts that you feel you may need some help with. 

(I also have hundreds of articles on the topic of writing right here on this site and if there is a topic you need that I haven't covered go ahead and leave me a comment and I'll do my best to help or find you a resource that will.)

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Writing is one of those things where it's different and a unique experience for everyone. 

While some writers swear by writing every day some will say once a week is plenty. 

Never take anything at face value, always adapt advice to fit you and your writing needs best and find a process that works best for you. 

Now… shouldn't you be writing?

With love, 

B.K xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints most days at 10:30 pm EST

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