5 Further Writing Myths You Need to Stop Believing

By georgelthomas on 4 Nov 2025 • ( 0 )

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. I’m back again today to dispel a few more writing myths.

If you’ve spent any time in writing groups, online forums—or even just scrolling through #writingcommunity hashtags—you’ve probably encountered advice that sounds solid. But not all common writing wisdom is… well, wise. In fact, some of it, as I mentioned in my previous posts, is more myth than truth—and clinging to these myths can actually stunt your growth as a writer.

So let’s get to it with:

5 Further Writing Myths You Need to Stop Believing

Myth 1 – Adverbs Are the Enemy
If you’ve dipped into Stephen King’s On Writing (you should—it’s brilliant!), you’ll probably remember his admonishment to avoid adverbs. While there’s some wisdom in the idea of using strong, specific verbs where possible, the notion that you should avoid adverbs entirely is… a bit extreme.

Think about J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Her books are packed with adverbs, yet it hasn’t stopped millions of readers from falling head over heels in love with the characters and story. The key isn’t to banish adverbs but to use them intentionally.

If an adverb adds colour or emphasis to your sentence, keep it. If it feels redundant, cut it. Simple.

Myth 2 – You Need to Be Published to Be a Proper Writer
If you take away anything from this post, please let it be this: you are a writer if you write. Publication is a wonderful goal, but it’s not the ultimate measurement of worthiness.

Some people write purely for themselves—to express emotions, make sense of their thoughts, or get lost in their creativity. Others create for close friends or family, never intending to reach a wider audience. Both are just as valid as crafting an international bestseller.

Celebrate every word you write, whether it ends up on a bookshelf or buried in your notebook. Writing has inherent value—no matter the outcome.

Myth 3 – You Have to Follow All Grammar Rules
Confession time – I’m a sucker for the Oxford comma. But do you know what? If ditching it makes your writing more conversational and fits your style, I say go for it. I also love utilising em dashes (these —). My work is filled with them—probably too many.

Grammar helps us communicate clearly, but it’s not meant to stifle us. Some of the most memorable writing comes from bending (or even breaking) the rules to create a particular tone or rhythm. Think of poets and authors who forgo standard punctuation or mix up sentence structure in ways that draw you right into their world.

The trick is understanding the rules of grammar before choosing to bend or break them. Once you know why a rule exists, you’ll have the power to play with it in a way that feels deliberate and authentic to your voice.

Myth 4 – You Shouldn’t Use Clichés
“Clichés are lazy writing.” True? Sometimes. But does that mean you should banish them completely? Not necessarily.

Clichés exist for a reason—they’re relatable, memorable, and often get the point across quickly. The problem comes when they’re overused or lack originality. For example, “the calm before the storm” might not engage your readers because they’ve heard it so many times before. But reimagine a cliché, and it can take on a new life.

For instance, swap “time flies” for “time slips through your fingers like sand.” Sure, it’s still rooted in the same idea, but it feels fresher and more vivid.

Myth 5 – You Must Suffer for Your Art
Writing can be hard, we all know this—but it doesn’t have to be painful. Yes, it involves effort—it’s work. But the idea that you must be in turmoil or constantly battling self-doubt to be “authentic” is romanticised nonsense. You’re allowed to enjoy writing. You’re allowed to have fun. You’re allowed to love the process. So, let go of the tormented artist “myth”.Creativity thrives in care, not chaos.

Remember, there’s no universal rulebook for creativity, no one path to success. Every writer’s process is different and as individual as their fingerprints. Now go! Write!

If you’ve got myths that you’d like debunking, let me know. I’d love to hear them.

Thanks, as ever, for stopping by!

Until next time,

George