tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post3959496649011639016..comments2024-01-06T02:15:31.671-06:00Comments on Marcia Hoehne: Soapbox Series #5 (or Reading, 'Riting, Ranting) -- "Writing Can/Can't be Taught"Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-85616116652693730782011-09-19T17:19:06.159-05:002011-09-19T17:19:06.159-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Christina Farleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-68483099606280779972011-09-14T19:14:27.540-05:002011-09-14T19:14:27.540-05:00I believe the talent has to be there first. I'...I believe the talent has to be there first. I've read the writing of people who are fine with mechanics and go through the motions of things they learned, but the writing still falls flat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-40608689136192653552011-09-12T15:55:38.201-05:002011-09-12T15:55:38.201-05:00You can become a better writer, but you must have ...You can become a better writer, but you must have that spark to begin with. Totally agree with you here.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-58443199179047896622011-09-09T09:19:14.908-05:002011-09-09T09:19:14.908-05:00Laura -- Yes, you can teach and teach, but it'...Laura -- Yes, you can teach and teach, but it's possible a student won't or hasn't figured out how to learn it. Or it's just not their thing and they need to move on to what is.<br /><br />Miranda -- Thanks for coming!<br /><br />Anne -- I agree. The inborn talent is up to God. Writers and their teachers and editors can identify it, instruct it, encourage it, and work hard with it, but we cannot create it.<br /><br />Jeff -- I believe a sense of story is crucial. I remember reading an article on writing where the author put "a nose for a story" first on her list of what it takes to be a writer. The rest of her comment was, "Without that -- oh, dear."<br /><br />Christina -- Yes, the voice has to come from within. The Bible says that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. If the pen also writes what's in our hearts, then we're tapping into what WE have to offer.<br /><br />Vijaya -- I'll bet you've read IF YOU WANT TO WRITE by Brenda Ueland? She also believed anybody can write if they tap into what THEY really have to say. And that certainly gives the writing energy. But I think more people know how to tell anecdotes, episodes, and incidents than full story arcs. Teaching and learning are two sides of the coin. Somebody said, "I don't think writing can be taught, but I think it can be learned."Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-36961387547434054002011-09-09T07:22:19.287-05:002011-09-09T07:22:19.287-05:00Hmmm. I will have to disagree about even the BUT p...Hmmm. I will have to disagree about even the BUT part. I think, like cooking, anybody can also write. Storytelling is in our blood -- even the smallest child knows how to spin a story -- they begin with nonfiction (but of course) and learn to embellish, and lie. <br /><br />Even my weakest students have stories to tell, and with instruction, learn how to plot, add conflict, and even learn to bring out their voices. They discover it by reading and writing a lot. That takes perseverance.Vijayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-91420630506668121192011-09-08T19:18:49.123-05:002011-09-08T19:18:49.123-05:00I really do agreee. I think I finally found my voi...I really do agreee. I think I finally found my voice when I just started to write how I thought. Then it all seemed to fall into place.Christina Farleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-75300727625583041692011-09-08T16:27:23.028-05:002011-09-08T16:27:23.028-05:00I think crafting a story from noting, is what can’...I think crafting a story from noting, is what can’t be taught. Either you have it or you don’t. I believe everything else can be learned.Jeff Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00667419764890599092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-72262044658349231172011-09-08T11:42:00.477-05:002011-09-08T11:42:00.477-05:00Talent is inborn. You can hone the talent that is ...Talent is inborn. You can hone the talent that is already there, you can shape it, but you can't really create it.<br /><br />Great post!Anne Spollenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12915171740680350711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-49184795706385595282011-09-08T10:00:39.783-05:002011-09-08T10:00:39.783-05:00As someone who also teaches writing, I agree - on ...As someone who also teaches writing, I agree - on all points!Miranda Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00479324010424718024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-29559568117549646992011-09-08T06:07:04.941-05:002011-09-08T06:07:04.941-05:00I agree. I think that holds true with anything. It...I agree. I think that holds true with anything. It can be taught and taught and taught but sometimes means nothing until someone learns to apply it with their natural style.Laura Paulinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503090226508079501noreply@blogger.com