The Week in Words
Welcome to The Week In Words, where we share quotes from the
last week’s reading. If something you read this past week inspired you,
caused you to laugh, cry, think, dream, or just resonated with you in
some way, please share it with us, attributing it to its source, which
can be a book, newspaper, blog, Facebook — anything that you read.
Only one quote this week . . .
I've been reading How To Be a Writer
by Barbara Baig recently. I'd never heard of her before beginning this book, but I love her philosophy! Here is what she says about "talent" in relation to writing (which I feel can be applied to any creative pursuit):
That gives me hope for writing! I've considered writing seriously for a while, but never thought I could really do it, because I don't feel that I have writing talent. But can it be possible that what I've considered talent in others is just assumptions about their abilities? Maybe they were just more willing to find out whether they really wanted to write rather than having some mysterious talent. That's something to consider in so many areas!
I've been reading How To Be a Writer
by Barbara Baig recently. I'd never heard of her before beginning this book, but I love her philosophy! Here is what she says about "talent" in relation to writing (which I feel can be applied to any creative pursuit):Talent is the assumptions we make about other people's abilities that keep us from developing our own . . . The question is not: "Do I have any talent?" The question is, "Am I willing to find out whether I really want to do this?" Barbara Baig, How To Be A Writer, p. 32Those words spoke so deeply to me on several different levels. I play the piano, and I think I have a bit of natural talent, but what made me pursue and improve my playing was "really wanting to do this," more so than talent.
That gives me hope for writing! I've considered writing seriously for a while, but never thought I could really do it, because I don't feel that I have writing talent. But can it be possible that what I've considered talent in others is just assumptions about their abilities? Maybe they were just more willing to find out whether they really wanted to write rather than having some mysterious talent. That's something to consider in so many areas!
Just put that book on my wish list! We do tend to make those assumptions. Something I have wrestled with as well is that even though other people's talents ARE bigger/better/more developed than mine, that doesn't mean I am never supposed to use mine.
ReplyDeleteI also have the perfectionist mindset that, if I can't do it well - even exceptionally well - then I don't want to do it. Somewhere along the way I lost the idea of doing something to enjoy it or to learn something new rather than having to be the best at it. And so I've missed out on doing quite a few things simply because I didn't want to just learn to do it. Make sense?
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent attitude. Rare is the person who is so naturally gifted at something that they need no practice at all, which means everybody else really does have to work at honing their skill. It leaves the door open for us to do the same in many different areas--if we're willing to try. Let's keep writing!
ReplyDelete