Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Writing in Only One Discipline
Everyone makes mistakes—even writers—but that’s OK because each mistake is a great learning opportunity. The Writer’s Digest team has witnessed many mistakes over the years, so we started this series to help identify them early in the process. Note: The mistakes in this series aren’t focused on grammar rules, though we offer help in that area as well.
Rather, we’re looking at bigger picture mistakes and mishaps, including the error of using too much exposition, hiding your pitch, or chasing trends. This week’s writing mistake writers make is writing in only one discipline.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Writing in Only One Discipline
Recently, Michael Woodson shared the common writing mistake of sticking to one genre. While I agree that’s a common writing mistake that writers make, there’s another one that is very similar: That is, some writers only write in one discipline.
I see it all the time: Fiction writers only write fiction; nonfiction writers only write nonfiction; and poets only poem. There’s, of course, nothing wrong with having a favorite discipline and committing yourself to that writing. But it can be limiting if you only ever write in one style.
Getting a little personal here, I originally considered myself a poet. I filled composition notebooks with poems that I would pass around to friends in high school, and I took creative writing poetry courses from day one in college (even though Freshmen were told they couldn’t do so).
I literally wrote thousands of poems, and, probably no surprise, I burned myself out. I went from poem-poem-poem to “what can I say that I haven’t said”?
Mistake Fix: Try Other Writing Disciplines
My writing pursuits stalled out, and I didn’t know what to do, so I tried something daring; I signed up for two writing courses: one in creative writing fiction and the other in technical writing. Both courses unlocked new doors to my writing life.
(6 Types of Personal Essays for Writers to Try.)
It wasn’t long before I was in the computer lab at all hours typing up scenes and stories for fiction (even using the poetic form of the sestina to structure a novella that also had its own invented language). I followed up technical writing with courses on copywriting and marketing. Each new discipline of writing gave me new ways of looking at language.
And eventually the poetry returned. First, in a few lines and images. Then, it turned into a river. Ever since, I’ve tried to have a healthy mix of writing projects—a little poetry, a little fiction, and a little nonfiction. Some of it sees the light of day; much of it does not. But it all helps me flex my writing muscles and keep me ready for that next bolt of inspiration.
Not every fiction author who tries their hand at poetry will get their poems published, but they will all get to experience the process of breaking lines, working with metaphors, and playing with sound. Poets may find their stories don’t quite hit the mark, but they’ll have a chance to work with dialogue, plot, and setting. And all writers can benefit from understanding the techniques used in persuasive writing, journalistic techniques, and the principles of effective communication found in the nonfiction tent.
(100+ Poetic Forms for Writers to Try.)
So if you’ve only been playing around with one discipline of writing, even if you’re not burned out yet, start dabbling in another. I promise it will only expand what you’re able to write in the future.
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