By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

A writing myth is a popular belief that is wrong. Since my first publications in 1997, I’ve encountered my share of myths. It’s time to dispel ten of them.

A writer must be born with the gift of writing.

Some are born with talent in their DNA. Some discover special abilities as they experience life. Some choose to embrace an art and have no idea where the idea or the gift originated. God calls us to write for Him whether we were born to be creative with words or struggle with each one.

Anyone can be a writer.

A writer’s personality, age, culture, education, and time in history show a huge array of men and women who had little in common—except a love for words, a drive to work hard writing and rewriting, willingness to spend hours alone perfecting a manuscript, and a deep need to read.

A college degree is necessary for a writer to attain success.

In short, no. I considered listing the bestselling and award-winning writers who don’t have college degrees, but why? No matter our level of education, if we are determined to achieve success in an art and are divinely called to that purpose, then go after it.

Writers are eccentric.

This is laughable. While I don’t mind being called eccentric and bizarre, the trait is not a prerequisite to writing. Many of my writing buds are introverts, extroverts, or somewhere in between. We share a passion for writing, not a characteristic that sends us to a counselor’s office.

A successful writer plans a manuscript from start to finish.

Writers create according to how their brain processes information: detailed outliners, seat-of-the-pants writers (discovery), and a mix of both (hybrid). I am familiar with outstanding writers who don’t plan their manuscripts from start to finish. I also know writers who find creativity and satisfaction in an outline. For me, if I had to write according to an outline, nothing would ever get done.

A writer uses difficult words so readers will learn new spellings and definitions.

How does a reader feel about a writer who bombards them with words beyond a normal vocabulary, forcing them to constantly enlist the aid of a dictionary? Which appeals to a reader more, a writer who makes the most difficult topic or story come alive with easy-to-understand language or a writer’s style who insists the reader have one finger in the dictionary?

1 Corinthians 14:9-12 The Message

So if you speak in a way no one can understand, what’s the point of opening your mouth? There are many languages in the world and they all mean something to someone. But if I don’t understand the language, it’s not going to do me much good. It’s no different with you. Since you’re so eager to participate in what God is doing, why don’t you concentrate on doing what helps everyone in the church?

Revision isn’t necessary.

If a person is a dancer, do they learn and practice? If a person is a pianist, to they learn and practice? If a person is a surgeon, do they not learn and improve their skills?

An editor isn’t needed if the writer is good.

We all need professional eyes on our manuscripts, someone who is trained in our genre to help a writer perfect their craft. A good editor shows the excellent choice of words, tone, voice, and much more while encouraging the writer to stretch themselves and results in a masterful piece for readers.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn. or her website: diannmills.com