Okay, I admit it. I love watching The Voice. Jordan Smith singing “Chandelier” for his blind audition and Chloe Kohanski’s rendition of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – that’s just good stuff. But I indulge in it for another reason. Watching these unknown artists struggle and grow inspires me in my craft as a writer.
I may circle back to that later, but in my first post, I want to talk about how writing is NOT like singing. Being a great singer requires a high level of innate talent. Sure, it must be honed, but someone like me could work their hardest, have Blake, Adam, and Alicia Keys all mentor them, and still top out at “mediocre.”
Writing, good writing, is not an innate talent only a few have. Good writing is a craft that most people can develop – providing they are willing to do the work.
Stephen King, in his excellent book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, says there are basically four levels of writers:
1. Bad Writers
2. Competent Writers
3. Good Writers
4. Great Writers
Great writers, he says, are freaks of nature. He doesn’t consider himself one of the greats. Most people on this planet are competent writers. They can put together coherent sentences and recognize good writing from bad. If you’re reading this blog, chances are extraordinarily high that you are at least a competent writer.
Now here’s the kicker:
“...while it is impossible to make a competent writer out of a bad writer, and while it is equally impossible to make a great writer out of a good one, it is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one.” Stephen King, On Writing
The purpose of this blog is to invite you to journey with me in becoming a good writer through developing the craft of writing.
My hope is to blog once a week, but if I ever have to decide between my Work In Progress or this blog, my WIP will always come first (perhaps I’ll post on “laser focus” later). The first several posts will be about getting started and from there I’ll branch out to any topic I think useful.
What about you, do you think that writing is an innate talent or a craft that can be developed? How does that affect how you develop your craft?
About Josh Kelley: I’ve written a spiritual living book, Radically Normal (published by Harvest House). My current project is a general market novel, Double Vodka. I’m also a writing coach that specializes in helping writers see the big picture of their strengths and weaknesses, offering an affordable one-session model.
I may circle back to that later, but in my first post, I want to talk about how writing is NOT like singing. Being a great singer requires a high level of innate talent. Sure, it must be honed, but someone like me could work their hardest, have Blake, Adam, and Alicia Keys all mentor them, and still top out at “mediocre.”
Writing, good writing, is not an innate talent only a few have. Good writing is a craft that most people can develop – providing they are willing to do the work.
Stephen King, in his excellent book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, says there are basically four levels of writers:
1. Bad Writers
2. Competent Writers
3. Good Writers
4. Great Writers
Great writers, he says, are freaks of nature. He doesn’t consider himself one of the greats. Most people on this planet are competent writers. They can put together coherent sentences and recognize good writing from bad. If you’re reading this blog, chances are extraordinarily high that you are at least a competent writer.
Now here’s the kicker:
“...while it is impossible to make a competent writer out of a bad writer, and while it is equally impossible to make a great writer out of a good one, it is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one.” Stephen King, On Writing
The purpose of this blog is to invite you to journey with me in becoming a good writer through developing the craft of writing.
My hope is to blog once a week, but if I ever have to decide between my Work In Progress or this blog, my WIP will always come first (perhaps I’ll post on “laser focus” later). The first several posts will be about getting started and from there I’ll branch out to any topic I think useful.
What about you, do you think that writing is an innate talent or a craft that can be developed? How does that affect how you develop your craft?
About Josh Kelley: I’ve written a spiritual living book, Radically Normal (published by Harvest House). My current project is a general market novel, Double Vodka. I’m also a writing coach that specializes in helping writers see the big picture of their strengths and weaknesses, offering an affordable one-session model.