In our world, many hold a notion that the ability to write,
or write well, is a gift bestowed on a chosen few. Writing
well is considered a kind of art, linked murkily to muse and
mysticism. That leaves us thinking there are two kinds of
people: the writing haves—and the hapless, for whom writing
well is a hopeless struggle, like trying to carve marble with a
butter knife.
But I don't believe that, and neither should you. The
truth is this: writing well is part habit, part knowledge of
some fundamental rules, and part giving a damn. We are all
capable of producing good writing. Or, at least, better writing.
As David Carr of the New York Times says, "Writing is less
about beckoning the muse than hanging in until the typing
becomes writing."
So the two kinds of people are not the haves and the
hapless. Instead, they are those who think they can write,
and those who think they can't. (And, too often, both are
wrong!)
In reality, most of us fall somewhere in the middle,
capable of shedding mediocre writing to reveal something
more inspired and reader-centric. We just need to train the
necessary muscles.
INTRODUCTION
