Writing Myths and Tips to Become a Better Writer

The art of writing has probably seen more myths and falsehoods than Greek mythology. In fact, keeping up with the plethora of myths and taboos that plague the writing world can be overwhelming for any essay writer or novelist.

From random articles warning you not to use the Oxford comma to experts claiming that only gifted people can write, there's no end to the number of conflicting opinions you will encounter as a writer. But what really is the truth?

Do you need super powers or special skills to be a great writer? Does the Oxford comma really make your writing less appealing? What writing tips should you employ? Let's find that out.

Myth: Writing is a special gift

Reality: Writing is a learned skill

As humans, we've definitely seen a large number of strange things, but you know what no one has ever seen? A newborn baby clutching a pen and laptop. This just goes to show that no one comes into this world with writing skills pre-installed. Just like every other skill, writing is a learned art. From elementary to high school, students are taught the basic and fundamental elements of writing. Any student who practices consistently and gets helpful feedback from experts can easily become a proficient writer.

The major factors that separate a professional writer from a student are experience and passion. So, don’t ditch the idea of writing just because you don't have a special writing gift inside of you. Keep practicing and give yourself time to grow.

Myth: You need to be an expert at grammar just to be a great writer

Reality: Writers make grammatical errors all the time

Having a fly buzz around you can be annoying, but being a buzzing grammar enthusiast is even more annoying. A lot of writers seem to think that writing requires one to be an obnoxious grammarian who constantly points out mistakes and never makes grammatical errors. Luckily, writing doesn't exactly work that way.

If you're ever lucky enough to find the original draft of any bestselling book, you'll realize that even popular authors make certain mistakes too. As a book author, you certainly don't need to lug a dictionary around just to prove your writing skills. Just keep writing and hire an editor to proofread when you're done.

Tips for Becoming a Better Writer

Now that we've gotten the common writing myths out of the way, it's time to get down to the crux of the matter. How do you become a better writer? Contrary to popular opinion, simply reading a large number of books won't make you the next Sidney Sheldon. You'd also need to utilize several other tricks to help hone your writing skills.

Let's take a look at some of the best tips for writing a book, shall we?

Create a writing schedule

Almost everyone hates schedules. You probably do too. However, a writing schedule is the perfect tool that will help you practice consistently. All you need to do is find the time of the day when you can work without distractions or interruptions.

For some writers, mornings are the best time to write. For instance, bestselling thriller author, Stephen King, prefers to write during the day. This way, he gets to write at least six pages daily.

However, this isn't a hard and fast rule. Some writers prefer to write at night and that's valid too. Whether you fall into this category or not, pick a specific time and write for at least thirty minutes every day. As you get better, you could increase the duration of your writing ritual to an hour or more. Do what works for you!

Note: If you're not a full-time writer, you don't necessarily have to write for several hours a day. An hour or two is just fine unless you have a personal target that you'd like to reach.

Get rid of all distractions

As a writer, it's almost impossible to avoid distractions. For instance, you could be in the middle of an exciting chapter when your partner barges in, asking if you've seen their favorite pair of socks, making you lose your train of... what was I writing about again? 

Distractions or multi-tasking make it more difficult to focus. When it’s time for your focused writing time, eliminate anything that may distract or interrupt you. Turn off notifications on your phone. Turn off your TV and other gadgets that may distract you. If possible, designate a quiet writing room to help you stay focused during each session.

Bonus Tip: When it comes to writing, it's always best to have a conversational style. Don't write stiffly. No one wants to read a book that makes them feel like they're in 18th century Britain. Instead, try writing the way you talk. This way, your readers can relate better and enjoy your writing flow. In fact, some experts believe that it's better to break the rules of grammar in a bid to sound conversational than to sound stiff just because you want to follow the proper rules.

However, this isn't a leeway to make unforgiveable grammatical mistakes on purpose. Just ensure that you know what you're doing.

Final Thoughts

For a lot of people, writing can seem like a daunting task. And it doesn't help that a lot of misleading myths surround this art. Wondering how to become a better writer? Ignore any writing myths you may come across, practice consistently, and stay focused. Follow these easy tips and in no time at all, you will become a pro. Now, grab your laptop (or a pen and notepad) and get down to writing!

Ready to take the next step as an author? Partner with 48 Hour Books and get started today!

Meet our guest blogger!

James Baxter is professional ghostwriter, editor at write my essay and blogger, who loves sharing his experience and knowledge with readers. He is especially interested in marketing, blogging and IT. James is always happy to visit different places and meet new people there.