Aren't self-improvement lists fun? Five Gruesome Ways to Eliminate Cellulite," and "Ten Egregious Ways to Misuse the Word: Egregious" are a couple of my favorites.

This list is similar to those in at least one way: it caters to a narrow audience. The old, wise and accomplished writers may stop reading at this point. They already know this stuff. If you are new to writing, odds are good that you entertain one or more of these myths.

Myth Number One: Getting Paid For Writing Is Easy Once You Know How

"It can't be that hard--look at the stuff that gets published," and its associate comment, "I can do better than that," are often heard from the virginal beginner.

These misconceptions are treacherous. Even if they are true, they overlook one essential variable. Experience in writing includes skills and judgements which are best learned through practice. There is no way around it: you must pay your dues through submissions and rejections--accumulating experience as you go.

The arcane art of crafting and marketing queries and cover letters is often left for the second or third years, after a continuous flow of rejection slips. As for the quality of published writing extant, your work may actually have to be much better than what you see published in the market place. You will certainly have to know how to present yourself because you are an unknown quantity to editors and publishers.

Myth Number Two: Getting Published Is Hard

Getting published is a logical outcome of learning the craft of writing. In terms of getting published, the most dispensable element of writing is creative genius. A freelance writer can get along just fine on the strength of professional skill.

The least dispensable element of writing is the command of written language. After language, comes aspects such as integrity, marketing skills and relationships. Creative talent is the icing for the cake. A well-written manuscript will usually obtain publication sooner than one poorly written, yet full of creative genius.

Myth Number Three: Conventional Rules Can Be Ignored

Rules of grammar, semantics and composition may be broken:

• If they are thoroughly understood by the writer,
• If there is an opportunity to increase the reader's understanding, or for dramatic impact, and . . .
• If they are broken only rarely.

When any of these three conditions are missing you will likely be faulted rather than appreciated for breaking the rules.

Myth Number Four: There Exists Arcane Knowledge For Getting Published

This is probably the most insidious myth of them all. This myth encourages new writers to spend time looking for the shortcut to fame and fortune.

Published writers are often quite free with the secrets of their success...there's isn't one. You you may not believe this is a true fact for months or years.

Myth Number Five: There Are Only Five Myths About Writing

Actually, they are legion in number. Log onto any writer's news group for a complete rendition.

LOOK for my next self-improvement list for writers: Ten Secret Methods For Getting Published!

Who am I kidding? Why, if I knew secret methods, would I give them all away in one article? I'd probably sell them to you one at a time, like Tony Wha's-his-name.

Copyright © 1999 Robert Marcom.

Reprinted from Inkspot.com

Robert Marcom is the Moderator for Net Author. Robert's writing credits include both print and electronic publications. He and his family reside in Houston, Texas.