From reading and sharing our blogs, I realize how many of us are hoping to find answers and structure in something that is an art form.Over the past three years, I’ve listened to many fiction, memoir, non-fiction and screenwriters, the most recent presentation I heard was Dean Devlin’s. He co-wrote and produced Independence Day, Stargate and Godzilla. and offered the same two messages as other successful writers:
1). The best way to become a good writer is to write every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad, just write.
2). Be passionate about what you’re writing. If you’re not passionate, the reader will sense it immediately.
I guess this is a lesson we can apply to all areas of life. If you practice and you’re passionate about a sport, writing, photography, working out, studies, career, cooking, no matter what it is in life, you’ll become good at it.
So let me ask you this. Could someone mediocre, practice and practice and become a great singer? Which brings me to the question of TALENT. How much of writing is talent and how much is practice? I’ve never heard a well-known author bring up the word talent during his/her presentation. Perseverance and practice but not talent. What do you think?
Regardless of level of talent, I think practice makes you better, not necessarily great, not necessarily the best, but better. I also think practice can reveal talent.
Yay for asking the easy questions. :p
I think talent does play a role. It's a spark, but it won't carry one if one is not willing to invest in work.
I think the important thing is to make the distinction between a great writer and a successful writer. Greats, I think, have a lot of talent, and worked very hard. And no one really agrees on what makes one great. >.< There are plenty of successful writers that may not have as much talent as the greats, but they work hard and keep going until they get to where they want to be.
I think that practice that involves learning and growth is what will help more than simply writing every day. Doesn't have to happen all the time, but I think it is important.
A lot of people have great ideas for books; but, of the people who have the idea, a lot won't take the time to write it, and even more won't take time to edit, etc.
Perseverance wins in the end, because it's the perseverance to make it through the long haul that weeds out people. The talented, if they don't last long enough to query and submit, are no better off than anyone else.
I've had three books published, two nationally and it annoys me when someone says how lucky I am. No, I work hard. I spent 7 years on my first book, Timekeeper and I never missed a day improving the craft of writing.
Great blog. Thanks
I think that great writers have talent – a way with words, that perfect turn of phrase… that IS talent.
However, talent is not enough and they need to practise and hone their talents too.
I think there are some people who are born great writers. For these few, hard work, writing everyday- it's irrelevant. They will be great.
Then there is quite a large group that have a bit of talent. I put myself here. These people must nuture that talent, like a seedling in harsh conditions, by writing everyday and reading what others write. Write and read. That is it. Eventually a few in this group may become great writers, most will become good writers. Most if they work hard will get published and may even make a living from writing.
Then there are people without talent. Just like anything else, they will find it difficult to be successful. If I decided I wanted to run the 100 m (forget that I'm too fat and very very lazy) I could practice everyday, all day and I would never run a 100 m race that would allow me to place. Never. I could work harder than anyone on the planet, but it is not going to happen. I should move on to something else if I want success. I can still run my 100 m for fun, but I should not look for success there.
You know what? You speak of passion and I tend to believe that passion for something comes from a deep need that also generates talent in that field. I mean, if you are exceptionally gifted in one area, you will feel a passion for it probably and also the other way around, if you have a passion for something, you are probably gifted in that area. I don't know. As for practice, while important so a talent doesn't get wasted, I doubt that it can replace talent.
I hope passion will motivate me to practice and improve my small talent because I have a story I must tell!
I think in most cases practice certainly helps, otherwise, why would anyone go to classes that teach writing? As in everything we want to improve on, we read, do exercises to help learn whatever it is, whether writing, photography, or blogging as far as blogging goes. I know when I first started blogging i was a bit shy about leaving comments, but now I wade right in.
Anna Carol W….
I agree that talent is important. After all that's what makes one want to write, feel at home writing. But going at at and staying with it is vital. Ideas don't become stories without being worked out on the page/screen.
By the way, there's an award waiting for you at http://carminesuperiore.blogspot.com/2010/01/kreativ-blogger-award.html
Have a good day!
Honestly, I think reading makes for a great writer. The more books you read the better writer you will become.
I don't know the answer to that question… you see, I write in lieu of paying a therapist. It's much cheaper.
I absolutely agree with V-Grrrl who says that practice makes you better, not necessarily great. Hugs
I certainly think talent has to be there. You can practice something forever and never get good at it without some innate talent.
You have to define "great." There are many very talented people who don't get out there with their talent. Many remain obscure. There are many mediocre people who have writing, singing, music, etc, contracts because of perseverance.
Practice makes you better what ever you practice but to be a great xxx needs also talent and hard work.
Lots of good opinions and answers here. Personally, I think learning to corral what you put on paper, to say it in fewer words is part of it. I agree, it is a lot of alone time, a lot of daily writing, editing, and it is HARD WORK. I believe anything can be accomplished if one NEVER stops working toward the goal. Blogging almost every day has helped me so much. Reading helps to see how others before you, who are published, succeeded. You have to have the desire to write. If it is not a need in one's soul, I think it is way more difficult to stay with the task. Provocative question. I so enjoy coming to visit your blog. May you have all you need to finish your book.
I imagine you probably need a *great* editor. That is what I have seen.
I do think that practicing helps, but like anything, you have to really love it to do it every day.
I think your talent might be in asking questions. Seriously, how could you put that to use in your writing?
sometimes it's good to write even when you don't feel like it. Just to get your fingers moving and the words flowing.
Lots of great ideas here.
Interest becomes talent when you work at it. Good writers do a lot of research, write quickly, and spend a lot of time in revising. That's not magic. That's just the way it is.
I think if you are passionate about your topic, you can write flawlessly.
I'm the type the writes and then tweaks it here and there to make it better. But by no means am I writing to publish. Mine is a hobby.