Writing Myths I Believed Till Today
I would like to begin this post with a crazy opening because who doesn’t like those, but time is a constraint here. So, let me just come straight to the point.
From the time when you know a little bit about writing till the day you publish your article/book, you come across hundreds of writing myths.
Hey, you can’t be serious about writing when you are 18!
What will you write about? You are not even an adult!
Go expand your knowledge graph by reading and writing about more genres!
Are you an author? Which of the Big 5s are representing you?
Blaaa…. Blaa… Blaaa..
In my five years of writing career, I have heard these questions more than I have heard ‘OH MY GOD FROM JANICE.’
And if you are habituated to hearing this, which, as a fac,t I know you are, I am with you right here.
Let’s say it together: “These are all mere myths, having no baseline.”
Am I able to convince you till now?
If not, I will try with more details by quickly diving into the myths.
Let’s start with the three myths that authors/ writers are tired of hearing and why they are not something you should be bothered about.
- Writing daily is the hack
Writing daily is the only hack to writing better. Yes, a hundred times yes. But not when it is forced upon you or when you have to force yourself to do that just because you think it breaks the cycle of productivity.
While I will suggest you write something daily, please do not if you feel like you can’t.
It is indeed a myth that writing daily makes you a successful writer.
Instead, you can choose to take breaks, move beyond the deadlines, and write when you want to write. Even if you do not choose to write daily, the world can wait for your best piece.
You should read this and know how Elizabeth debunks it for you, if not me.
2. Writing for multiple niches makes you the best
Are you somebody who can write effectively on any topic given? Great!
But isn’t being the best in a single niche also applaudable?
I come across a lot of writers who are proudly saying they can write it all, but I can’t. To be very hones,t I can’t write much about science. Even if I try, it will take a much longer time and a zillion more effort than I could write for politics, fiction, relationships, etc. Does that mean I am a bad writer? Of course not!
Go beyond the myths and be an expert in a certain niche. When somebody says you can’t write on everything, reply to them with a NO. Also, don’t forget to be proud of that NO.
3. Publishing with the Big 5s is important for reputation
As a writer, your craft should not be approved by everyone in the room. As far as you have managed to find your audience, a publishing house grants nothing more than a title.
I was recently in an author session, and the speaker asked why I did not publish with the BIG5. I replied, ‘Because I could not,’ and she was amazed to hear that.
What she said next was bogus, at least to me.
She said, ‘Oh it will take some time, but you will make it there.’ And being very honest, I want to make it there. But my entire writing career does not exist because I want to publish with the BIG5s.
With more options available, you can publish your book with other publishers, and that does not make you less of an author. So, please stop believing the BIG5s will give you a reputation. You have to build it yourself.