5 More Writing Myths You Need to Stop Believing

By georgelthomas on 21 Oct 2025 • ( 3 )

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today, I’m exploring some more of those pesky writing myths that need to be put to rest once and for all.

Whether you’re a seasoned wordsmith or someone staring at a blank page wondering why you decided to write anything in the first place, this one’s for you.

So, here are:

5 More Writing Myths You Need to Stop Believing

Myth 1 – All First Drafts Should Be Polished
Here’s a secret no one tells you in those shiny Instagram posts about writing spaces and #WritingCommunity hashtags: first drafts are ugly.

If you’re under the impression that great writers churn out perfect paragraphs on their first try, think again. First drafts will be messy, clunky, and often embarrassing—but they’re supposed to be.

The real magic happens during editing. That’s where writers refine, polish, and transform their jumbled thoughts into something that flows beautifully. Don’t get stuck rewriting the same sentence in your first draft. Keep going. You’ll fix it later.

Myth 2 – Writers Work Alone
The stereotypical image of a writer working solo in their dimly lit attic isn’t entirely true. Writing often feels like a solitary activity, and for some (like me), it is, but some people like to involve others.

Whether it’s sharing your work with a trusted group of fellow writers, hiring an editor, or even chatting about your ideas with a friend, collaboration can make your work stronger. You don’t have to work alone. Find your community, and watch your work blossom.

Myth 3 – Writers Should Only Write What they Know
“Write what you know” is one of those well-intentioned but deeply flawed pieces of advice. Grounding your stories in personal experience can indeed imbue them with authenticity—but only writing about your narrow pool of experiences is incredibly limiting.

Some of the most iconic works of fiction would never have existed if their authors stuck to “what they knew.” Take The Hobbit, for instance. Tolkien wasn’t an expert on dragons, wizards, or life in Middle-earth. He tapped into his imagination, blended it with his academic knowledge, and created something enduring and magical.

The better advice? “Write what fascinates you.” Research, explore, and ask questions about the things that pique your interest. You’ll end up creating richer and more varied stories that grab readers’ attention just as much as your own.

Myth 4 – You Must Outline Everything Before You Start
Some writers prefer to plot their stories in full. Others discover—creating their work by the seat of their pants (known in the writing community as pantsing). Some use a combination of the two, creating a bullet list of story beats so they know what to write towards while going with the flow to get there. All are valid.

Outlining can be a game-changer for many writers, especially when tackling long or complex projects. But it’s not the only way. Discover your own balance between structure and full, free creativity. There’s no one-size-fits-all.

Myth 5 – If it’s Not an Original Idea, it’s Not Worth Writing
The truth is, there aren’t any new stories—there are only fresh ways to tell them.

Almost every plot has been done before. What makes a story fresh and ‘new’ is your style, your voice, your perspective, your “you-ness”. Don’t worry about repeating something—your version is different because you are. It’s not about inventing something no one’s ever seen—it’s about making it your own.

As I mentioned in the last post, the best thing you can do is experiment, find your rhythm, and work out what fuels your creativity. Trust in your intuition, and don’t be scared to break a rule or two (or seven).

Thank you, as always, for stopping by!

Until next time,

George