Newsflash: your high school English teacher lied to you about the writing process. How do I know? I was one of them! I spent six years teaching students to write the wrong way before I started writing fiction and realized that professional writers are doing things differently. Like, completely differently. Tune in for the six lies you likely learned in high school and how to keep them from hindering your progress in the future.

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Key Takeaways:

• Everything your high school English teacher taught you about writing is a lie.
• You do not have to outline; there are multiple ways to write.
• Your first draft does not need to be perfect, but too many assignments are designed as if the first draft should be readable and coherent.
• Editing involves more than just correcting typos; it requires structural changes and re-envisioning everything about your story if needed.
• Collaboration is essential in writing even if it’s often discouraged or downplayed in the classroom.
• Grammar rules can be bent in creative writing; focus on storytelling.
• There is no single standard for writing; it varies by genre and audience.
• The reader's experience is the most important goal; if your story doesn’t work for them, it doesn’t work at all.
• Understanding your own writing process is crucial for success.
• Unlearning harmful writing habits can lead to better writing outcomes.

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/2