There are many damaging myths about writing that are still unfortunately alive today, and, although you’ll find more and more articles and posts about how they’re nonsense, they still live in our unconscious. They can even prevent some people from pursuing writing because they feel unworthy.
We’ll go into a few of these myths in a moment, but first, if you’re to retain just one thing from this, it’s to be careful about absolute rules that are presented as having no exceptions. And I’m sure one of these absolute rules is the exception, and is a hundred percent true, but most of them are not.
That doesn’t mean you should flat out dismiss them. Many so-called rules, or rather guidelines, exist for a reason, and can help you on your journey. But the trick is to understand why these rules exist, so you can decide whether it’s best to follow them in your case or not. And of course, some of these so-called rules are absolute nonsense and don’t have a leg to stand on.
So when you come across a rule, especially if it’s presented as absolute, consider proceeding with caution and critical thinking. Just because a famous writer says it doesn’t make it true, or as absolute as they think it is.
My worst nemesis is the famous rule around the lines of “you must write everyday to be a writer”. On top of being untrue, it’s extremely damaging, elitist, and entitled. Not everyone has the means to make time (and energy) everyday to write. It’s much easier for someone with plenty of money, no chronic illness or disability, and no demanding schedule, to cite just a few examples.
And also, why? Why would this be the qualification? There’s no reason behind it. Routines and consistency can be great assets, sure, but why every single day? Does the artist never get a day off? Rest replenishes creativity, so encouraging people to push themselves beyond their limits is dangerous for both their health and their art. It’s counterproductive to make this a rule. And do we ask of any other profession that the person works every day? We very much don’t.
That doesn’t mean you can’t write every day. If it works for you, fantastic. But making it a requirement is ridiculous. Even if you can write every day, if you’re more efficient when you dedicate a single day a week to writing, why be less efficient just to please some blanket rule?
If writing every day does work well for you, I still suggest reframing it to “writing most days”, so you don’t feel like you have to, no matter the circumstances. It’s fine to not write one day because you’re sick, too busy, too exhausted, or simply don’t feel like it. Routines are most effective when they’re consistent, but they don’t have to be rigid.
Another myth, and somewhat opposite to the previous one, is the muse. You must wait for the muse. Writing should come perfect from the get-go, so only when the muse strikes can you produce anything. It buys into the stereotype that the author writes a draft, and that’s it. That’s the book. But writing is actually an awful lot of rewriting, self-editing, and professional editing.
It’s time we let go of the image of the tortured writer, pouring genius words onto the page from the first try and never having to work on their craft. It makes some writers reach out to agents and publishing houses way before a manuscript is ready, or prevents others from pursuing writing because their words and stories don’t come out great the first time around. Most writers have a mess of a first draft, and yet their final product can be the best story and prose you’ve ever read.
Getting into a flow state when you write is an amazing feeling, and it’s usually the most productive you’ll be. But if you wait around for one, you’re unlikely to get much done, since “the muse” is quite evasive. And sometimes, you can summon the muse through hard work, by pushing through lack of motivation, summoning your best discipline, and putting your worst words on the page just to get the creative juices going. Inspiration is a great tool, but it’s best to cultivate it rather than to wait around for it to strike at some unknown time.
Another myth is about how writers do everything alone. And sure, a lot of people realise that someone will proofread, but the belief that nobody sees the manuscript before the agent or publisher is still widespread.
Having someone look at your writing is scary, but it’s extremely valuable, and an integral part of the writing process. We don’t have any distance from what we write, so it’s hard to determine how readers will receive our stories. And since writing is also rewriting and editing, external feedback, both from readers and professionals, is extremely valuable to produce a good manuscript. Community is also a great resource to learn and stay motivated. So, writers, do not fear. You don’t have to do this completely alone!
When it comes to the craft itself, you can still hear people screaming at you to never ever write a prologue. And while prologues are tricky and often badly handled, that doesn’t mean prologues are bad. They’re a great storytelling tool for a lot of books. So if you think your story needs a prologue, I advise you to ask yourself if the content is relevant to the story or not (you can start thinking about this on your own, and then an editor can help with an expert outside perspective).
The problem with prologues is that a lot of writers don’t understand their function, or they write one that is actually an infodump and not engaging at all. Just like any other scene, a prologue serves a function in the narrative. If it doesn’t, it’s usually best to delete it, or to rewrite it with more purpose. By learning about the craft of prologues, you’re more likely to use them – or not use them – efficiently.
So, writers, I encourage you to think critically and reassess any misconceptions you might have so your writing can fly unburdened. It’s perfectly okay to try the writing routine from your favourite author, but if it doesn’t work for you, that doesn’t make you a lesser artist. I’ve yet to see a one-size-fits-all when it comes to both writing routine and craft. And understanding where the advice comes from is much more powerful than applying it as a blanket rule.