The 10 Biggest Myths About Writing

There are a lot of myths out there about writing. Here, I debunk 10 of the biggest—from the misbeliefs causing writer's block to the myth of the starving artist.

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CHAPTERS
0:00 - Welcome
0:50 - Myth 1
3:24 - Myth 2
5:56 - Myth 3
7:34 - Myth 4
9:20 - Myth 5
10:57 - Myth 6
12:19 - Myth 7
13:29 - Myth 8
14:41 - Myth 9
15:41 - Myth 10

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#writingtips #writing #authortube

ABOUT
I'm Grayson Taylor, an author and filmmaker, here to help you on your creative journey by sharing what I've learned—and what I'm still learning—about storytelling. After writing my first full-length novel when I was seven, I've authored more than a dozen action-adventure, sci-fi, mystery, and dystopian books. I've also written and directed several short films, composed music, and acted onstage, on TV, and in films.
You'll find writing advice, publishing tips, and behind-the-scenes videos on my channel.

Current Subscribers: 6,423

[Auntyalias]

I'm a 75 year old grandma in San Francisco. I found this video to be the pep talk I needed to return to my "tome" that I've been writing since 2017. The myth I fell for was "waiting for inspiration" rather than write a bit every day. I have one short story published and I hope to live long enough to publish, independently, more of my writing. As a change of pace, I wrote some short stories inspired by Japanese YoKai, or spirits. Anyway, I wanted to say thanks and to let you know I was cheered up with your video.

[Maggie-ye]

8:25 my advice for young writers is dont worry about your age. You still have all that wild childlike imagination that big corpos have no idea how to access. They are algorithmic, they use focus groups but everyone knows the best stories are the mind unleashed, not tickinf boxes. When your older we tend to end up having a negative editor in our brains tht prevent us from unleashing our potential, that comes from alot of experience and rejection. You guys havent exeprienced that yet lol so go forth my butterflies!!

[RememberTheDuck]

Another Myth (or perspective): Storytelling mediums are diverse. I was so engrossed with the idea that I had to write each scene perfectly (as I saw it), that I had to create mountains and walls of text to be a "true writer", and I felt really dumb when one of my friends said "Just write a graphic novel...?"

I still kinda suck at drawing, but I'm getting across my points a lot better because there's nothing nebulous. If I draw the character as I see it, then there's no question as to how the readers see it. Novel writing just wasn't for me (yet), and that's okay.

The novel/short story may not work for you (yet). Experiment with videos and animations, manga and comics... experiment with every medium that has to do with writing; you might stumble across one you love. I plan to return to novels once I hone my drawing skills a little more, but for now this is okay, and I'm much more happy with my work.

[ArtemHahauz-nmbk]

Myth number eleven, "You can't write unless you're a native speaker." Myth number twelve, "You can't write if you're blind." These two are simply not true, as I'm an example of the opposite.
Grayson, your videos always give me a lot of inspiration and motivation. Even though I'm in a somewhat difficult situation now, I continue writing at any rate. From my perspective, this is an exceptional way to develop creativity and look at our world from various POVs. Also, experimenting with different genres can incredibly polish your skills, you have to understand how to correctly apply them though.
Best regards from Ukraine.
Keep up the great work, everyone!

[ElsaLouiseSinger]

Last year in August I went on an airplane for the first time and spent a week in NYC and ever since I've been fascinated with setting some of my stories there/places parallel to there

[tripleg]

I'm so glad I found this channel.

It has something refreshing that lifts my mood and writing mood.

[parachute]

Thank you for this video! I'm writing my first draft of my first book. For 15, i'm making great progress. This serves as another motivator along many as it's great to hear ideas and advice from a more experienced writer. Great video and keep it up.

[Henriver]

In the landscape of youtube writers. Its so refreshing to get an uplifting, positive view on the craft. Really appreciate what you do.

[chriswest]

The totality of your story… my sentiments exactly.

[likanweeds]

greetings,

i am a writer who going to write my first book with a friend and also i wrote 260 poems in my 2-3 years old (2022-2024 periods) and i wrote some stories

thank you so much for this video. it is fully truth that myth like this exists. we meet some people who have said “why you even write? it is so dumb. go and become IT person instead”. like, what?

the one thing i don’t get only is what about the time of writing the book? some says that you need “YEARS” to write the good book but i can make one in months. if it is bad?

have a good day

[vincymone]

I'm only 1 year into the world of writing so far, your videos are really insightful

[marlinthecreative]

This should be posted and pinned in every writer’s group. The number of “suffering” writers out there is crazy. Sit down and write.

[Chudi]

I used to believe the myth about writing entailing suffering. A myth I would add is that reading isn’t a part of your storytelling process. Most of my stories come from not only reading the work of others, but studying them. I hone in on what exactly draws me to this particular story so greatly. We can consume fiction we just enjoy, but we should study the fiction we want to create.

Another myth I heard Brandon Sanderson bring up recently is that you can’t just use the verb “said” for most dialogue.

[Blueblackfire]

This is so inspirational! I WILL release my work and become a writer! Thanks for the advice and keep it up!

[velvetbees]

I understand why people say writing is a painful experience. You can enjoy writing very much and still "sit down and bleed". As we go on living, life's ups and downs end up behind you as memories. Memories evoke pain and pleasure. It leaves experiences and impressions for our story. Hemingway felt pain, both physical and emotional in Italy. In the war he saw combat. He saw horrific things on any given day. That goes into your well of experience and sadness. It might come up and cause you to write in a beautiful, authentic words and tone about something for your story. Most often the deepest most transforming feelings like that come from a big struggle. That is why Hemingway said to write positively, even when you are writing something sad or terrible or hard.

[dinodan]

Great video! Its great to hear from like minded authors who are a similar age to yourself.

[AxleBoost]

Glad to see you blowing up! I always believed.

[nyxcole]

I'm new to your channel, but you're really helping this jaded Xennial not guve up on her art ❤ Thank you

[vincymone]

What do you think of the idea that "an author must never, ever, never design his own book cover, because unless the writer is a trained designer, he will never, ever be able to make a good cover" ?

[notsubaru]

Your videos are engaging and entertaining!