Stephen King says (in On Writing) that there’s no hope for a bad writer ever to become a good one. I disagree.
I think it depends on the reason the writer is bad. It’s true that if someone doesnt get spelling, grammar and the sheer joy of words, then becoming a good writer is probably out of reach, as those are the building blocks of the craft. But if a writer is bad simply because he or she lacks the know how to write in particular ways, then there’s hope.
Writing isn’t really complicated, you know. It’s about stringing together words, sentences, paragraphs and pages to create an effect. Whether that effect is moving someone to tears or persuading them to buy a product really doesn’t matter.
I proved this – to my own satisfaction at least – in several years of teaching students journalism. Many of them started with nothing more than basic essay writing skills, but quite a few went on to become successful journalists.
That’s why I think almost anyone can learn to be a competent writer. Great writing – now that’s more difficult. For me, that’s when you start talking about the art of writing, rather than the craft – and that’s something you have to be born with. What you do think?
Article by Sharon Hurley Hall
Sharon Hurley Hall has been mentoring writers here at Get Paid To Write Online since 2005 to help them improve and build sustainable and successful writing careers. Check me out on sharonhh.com. Feel free to connect with me online on Google+.
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{ 11 comments }
Hi Sharon! In my humble opinion, Stephen King has a gargantuan ego and has allowed decades of praise to go to his head. He rarely has anything good to say about other writers and sees himself as one of the world’s experts on writing. I read most of his stuff in high school and only liked a few of his novels. Most of his writing is boring to me. I agree with you. Anyone with the honest desire to work and learn can become an excellent writer. To me, fame and wide readership has nothing to do with one’s skill. These days, becoming well known is like becoming a pop music star–very unlikely and requires lots of luck.
I don’t believe you have to be born with natural artistic writing ability. I believe it’s a matter of finding your own natural purpose in writing, your own voice, what you’re good at. If we can find that intangible “thing” in ourselves, we can become great at it
Bobby Revell´s last blog post..My Upcoming Transgressional Fiction Novel
Hi Sharon
I agree with you that writing can be taught, just like many other things. It all comes down to wanting to learn. Bad writers can become great writers if they are willing to put in the effort and sweat, as well as, be determined and persistent along the way.
Stephen King is a great marketer, his writing sells many books. He too had to learn how to write and his story is very motivational for many writers, but that doesn’t mean we have to agree with every word he says. There are still some good tips in his book.
Talent needs nurturing. To become a great piano play one needs to practice, practice, practice and practice some more, the same goes for writing. If we want to achieve great writing, we need to write, write, write and write some more – in different genres, styles and formats – then with a little luck -thave we have created, – we can attain anything we set our mind to.
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Twitter: GeorgeAngus
April 26, 2009 at 12:19
I do think there is hope for folks and that most anyone can be taught to write. With that said, there is a certain amount of natural talent that comes in to play. I would never discourage anyone from giving it their all and going for the brass ring.
I guess it’s like swimming. Anyone can be taught to swim, and can train hard to learn all of the techniques. Maybe they will be a very good swimmer – but not all will end up being Michale Phelps.
George
Tumblemoose´s last blog post..Use flash fiction to move your writing forward
Twitter: shurleyhall
April 26, 2009 at 12:40
I’ve found Stephen King’s book interesting, Katarzyna, but I believe that practice is one of the best ways to hone and improve your skills. As you say: ‘write, write and write some more’.
Twitter: shurleyhall
April 26, 2009 at 12:42
True, George, but I think there’s a place for writers who are merely competent, too.
Well, as always, it depends on what you mean. Writing, in the most basic sense, is not complicated, but writing correctly is not easy–as shown by how few people are able to do it.
Furthermore, writing correctly AND well is even more difficult. So, it turns out to be a little more complicated than it might seem.
I think the majority of people who exhibit decent writing skills in high school or college have been reading since they were young kids. By reading, they have been exposed to all kinds of writing and ideas. Those who really want to write want to express their ideas. Those who have never been interested in reading are seldom interested in writing.
However, it is never too late to learn. Sometimes an illness, injury, or even incarceration, forces people to start reading just to pass the time and maintain their sanity, and they subsequently develop a desire to write, too. I think writing well requires, as a prerequisite, having read enough to develop a mental “ear” for the language in which they write. Those who learn a second language as an adult (instead of as a multi-lingual child) have a harder time getting to that level of familiarity with the second language.
Twitter: shurleyhall
May 1, 2009 at 09:04
You’re right, Margaret. Reading helps a lot with good writing, a point also made by Stephen King, who included a long list of his favorite books in On Writing.
Hi, interesting article and comments.
Stephen king certainly acknowledged the importance of reading to his writing ability.
and whether we like his books or not he is clearly a successful writer.
i read a report recently (for the moment i can’t remember where or when) but the gist of it was that to excel at ANYTHING required an excessive amount of hours EVERY day for YEARS and that in the study there was no exception, there was equally no incident of someone naturally talented who had not put in those hours.
An equally high, but less, number of hours lead to competence without the excellence.
Less hours lead elsewhere.
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Twitter: shurleyhall
April 26, 2009 at 12:39
Stephen King’s ego aside, Bobby, I agree that finding a writing voice is an important part of writing things that others want to read.
Twitter: shurleyhall
May 1, 2009 at 09:03
That’s one way of looking at it, Timothy, but I still maintain that if you can learn the skills, you can write competently.