Which is more important to a writer: native ability or training?
Consider the following fictional scenarios:
Scenario A–In this scenario is an individual who is very talented with words with a tremendous vocabulary and perfect spelling, but who has never had a formal English class.
Scenario B–In this scenario is an individual who has no natural talent with words and struggles with spelling, but who has had years of formal training in writing classes.
In your opinion, which of the preceding individuals would make the better writer (and why)?
What’s your take? WritingThoughts wants to know.
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
18 responses so far ↓
1 Tiff // Apr 23, 2007 at
A for sure B can be learned
2 Laura // Apr 23, 2007 at
Tiff: Thanks for your input! (I’m glad someone besides me is interested in this.)
3 Mihaela Lica // Apr 23, 2007 at
Do blends matter? Cocktails? I say: take two parts A, one par B, season with grace divine, and shake well! 🙂
4 Lisa Vella // Apr 23, 2007 at
To me it seems simple – definitely A. Natural talent can be enhanced with an education.
Good question! Have a great evening.
Lisa
5 CalvinWarr // Apr 23, 2007 at
Natural talent is good. But without any training, it is doubtful that the natural writer will blossom to be what he or she can potentially achieve. But I feel that no matter how much training you get, if you have no “feel” for writing, it will be really hard to become a good writer.
6 Doris // Apr 24, 2007 at
Definitely ‘A’ for me… I often wish I have the ‘talent’ to write well. Some people are just so natural but I struggle with what and how to write skillfully and clearly… but I’m learning everyday. Like to say thanks for dropping by homeofficewomen.com so regularly.
7 Gayla McCord // Apr 24, 2007 at
Writers are born. It’s something that comes from within, an imagination, a passion, a story to tell — proper English is the icing on the cake — but is only a creative tool if there’s something to apply it to.
8 Mihaela Lica // Apr 24, 2007 at
Ha! I haven’t noticed this! So you say that if we are not English natives we are not writers? 😉 😀
I stick with my answer: you need both talent and training. More talent than training… but both!
9 Laura // Apr 25, 2007 at
Good comments!
Welcome to Mihaela, Lisa, Calvin, Gayla, and Doris. It’s good to hear from all of you. (You can substitute the word “English” for grammar if you like.)
This has been an interesting discussion! I originally envisioned it as sort of a nature vs. nurture discussion. After thinking about it, I realize there should have been a third scenario involving motivation, which I think is actually the most important element to any type of success.
10 Gayla McCord // Apr 25, 2007 at
I guess that was rather “narrow minded” of me to use the term “English” however, I think proper command of any language by way of skill is only a small factor it what makes a great writer.
11 Laura // Apr 25, 2007 at
Thanks for your input Yvonne! Don’t worry Gayla, I was the one who used the word “English” first. I should have said proficiency with the language.
12 Angie // Apr 28, 2007 at
It can absolutely be a blend. Some people are born with a knack for observation and being able to translate their thoughts onto paper. Other people may have thoughts and observations that are just as profound, but need to learn how to tap into the written langauge that expresses them.
13 laura // May 1, 2007 at
Welcome Angie! I love your answer: all of the above. Why not?
14 Inez // Mar 23, 2010 at
I think writers are born, like singers, like musicians. By the way, why would people learn the technicalities of writing when they do not really have the DRIVE and “feel” for it?
15 Made or Born? | Natalie Nagel's Blog // May 6, 2010 at
[…] https://www.writingthoughts.com/?p=88 […]
16 mahmood // Jan 1, 2011 at
uh i am not a native english speaker and i know my english is not that good but i write in english, i think with english you get more audience
and i think writing is a talent, you must be a story teller, its not math to learn the formual
of course you need to read alot and your work must be critisized and you need to learn the techniques but if you lack the essential clay all of this is useless
17 eric // Jan 1, 2011 at
Some are born writers will some are made writers. One can be born a writer. On the other hand, one can undergo formal training to be a good writer.
Thanks
18 Laura Spencer // Jan 6, 2011 at
Thanks for joining the discussion Mahmood and Eric. There are probably as many opinions on this topic as there are writers.