by Dr. Deborah Bauers

Created on: April 29, 2009   Last Updated: May 12, 2010

If you are looking for ways to become a more effective writer, you need to work at developing your own stylized approach.  What you may not realize, however, is that many journalists who are just starting out, run up against two myths about writers that can quickly dampen the enthusiasm. Those who believe them end up discouraged and often give up without putting their best effort into becoming a successful writer.

What are these myths?

1. That genealogy determines who can write and who can't.

 While it may be true that heredity plays a part in certain personality formation and even in intellectual prowess, if you want to distinguish yourself as a journalist you must be prepared to develop your craft through a combination of acquired skill and hard work. Similarly, following in the footsteps of a parent or grandparent who is a well-known author, doesn't necessarily mean that you will know the same success. If you are fortunate enough to gain entry into the field because of your last name, you won't last long without putting effort into developing your own reputation.

2. That the best writers are those with huge vocabularies.

The most successful journalist is the one who keeps on writing until he has finally communicated, on paper, exactly what he wanted to say. Enlarging your vocabulary may provide you with more options for written expression, but a distinctive writer doesn't use big words that the average reader can't understand. Instead, he learns to write in much the same way as he would speak. .

What are some ways to become a more effective writer?

1. Begin by finding out who the outstanding writers are in several different genres and read what they have written. Ask yourself, "What makes this article great?" Subscribe to a couple of journals that interest you and begin to study the distinctive qualities and writing styles of each author. Every great writer has at least one characteristic that has become the hallmark of his written work; so look for it. Once you have become familiar with a number of different writing styles, begin to think about what will distinguish your work from those around you.

2. Don't be afraid of crafting an article on a subject that interests you, but which you know little about. Every seasoned writer knows that research is essential. If you want to write about how you feel, record your memoirs. But if you want to create a remarkable journalist piece that combines the interview process with a working knowledge of the

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