WRITING MYTHS

1. That with each book or story an author produces, the writing becomes easier.  No!  Each book and story is its own challenge.  Experience of writing helps, of course, but each book and story must stand on its own merit so must have its own needs met.  No two books or stories are the same here - nor should they be.
   
2. The character -v- plot debate is a red herring.  A writer needs both to be well developed if his/her story is to have wings and take off.  A good character in a dull plot is a waste.  A great plot but dreadful characters is a waste.  Indeed the dreadful characters will, in general terms, kill that plot off.  No, what's wanted is the right characters for the right plot (and sub plots) and for both to be great.
   
3. That nobody writes longhand any more.  It might be considered a dying art but I find writing in longhand, at least sometimes, can help me clarify my thoughts.  I am finding it easier now to write directly to screen but I still have to print out fairly early on to literally see what my work looks like on paper.  I've made the mistake too often of not seeing something on screen so longhand writing and editing still have their places.
   
4. That talent is more important than stamina.  It isn't.  Talent is important but you have to accept you're in the for the long haul when writing so you have to have the stamina to write, re-write, re-write again etc untill such time as the story is as good as it can ever be.
   
5. That there is one magic goal to writing success.  Wrong!  It is a combination of things.  Good writing, applying to the right publisher/agents and them accepting you, good publicity for your writing, the public liking what you've come up with so your works sell well and so on.  Real writing success is being able to do this over and over again with successive stories.