Do you NEED talent to be a writer?

[The Writer’ s Life]( July 2, 2018 Hi {NAME}, I recently saw a meme that made me chuckle … Maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's an Instagram filter. Of course, it's a twist on the famous slogan from the cosmetics company, Maybelline. The original slogan — "Maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's Maybelline." — has been running for 27 years now, implying she might not be a natural beauty … it might simply be the makeup. So, what about the most successful writers? Is it truly natural talent? Or something else? Some skeptics believe you can only be a well-paid writer if you're born with a specific amount of natural writing talent … But after 21 years training writers to make a great living, the numerous [case studies]( of successful AWAI writers who are making great money appear to prove otherwise. In fact, two of the AWAI Co-Founders were a cabinetmaker and a grocery store clerk when Mark Ford taught them the ins and outs of writing effective copy. They took his training (which is what our [Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting]( is based on) and went on to make millions. Today, Heather Robson explores this "natural talent" theory. She's had an interesting experience with it, and gives you ways to increase your chances of being successful — even if you aren't confident in your own natural talent. Heather is Managing Editor of [Wealthy Web Writer](, our popular membership site that gives you the roadmaps, guidance, tools, and ongoing education you need to excel and prosper as a well-paid writer. We recently overhauled the website to help members succeed even faster … And today, you can take the entire site for a test-drive for only $1. [All the details are here.]( To your success, Rebecca Matter President, AWAI --------------------------------------------------------------- How Practice, Dedication, and Passion Bring Out Your Natural Talent By Heather Robson [Business people at conference table with the word talent illustrated above] Singing … dancing … drawing … acting … playing an instrument … they all share some common traits with writing. First, these are creative pursuits. And second, people tend to think you have to be naturally talented to succeed with any of these pursuits. I'm not so sure that's true. There was a time when I would have said, "Yes. Talent is important. Not as important as hard work. But still important." That was before my younger daughter decided she wanted to learn to draw. When she was nine or ten, she would draw just like any kid does. Pictures of houses and cars and dogs and birds. Colorful scribblings on par with what most kids that age do. I didn't ever look at any of those drawings and think, "Oh wow, there's a talent here that needs to be nurtured." By the time she was 12, she and her friends were sitting outside on the porch late during the summer nights, issuing each other drawing challenges. And at some point, all on her own, she decided she wanted to be good at drawing. She started watching YouTube videos and Instagram channels to see what other people were doing. She started reading books on drawing techniques. And she practiced. Oh my goodness, did she practice. This 12-year-old girl who struggled to find the discipline to stay on top of her laundry would spend hours working on her drawing. As she got better, she asked for the tools she needed to improve further. The right kinds of pens and pencils. The right kind of paper. And then more hours. And if I hadn't seen her "natural" capacity for drawing when she was younger, I would have said, looking at the work she was producing by the time she was 13, "This kid has a remarkable talent. I need to nurture it." But I never needed to nurture it. She did that. All on her own. This year, her first year in high school, her art teacher has told her at different times, "You can be an illustrator if that's the career you choose." And "If you ever decide to turn your work into posters or prints, please let me know … there are several I would want to purchase." So, what does all of this mean to you as a writer? If you have the inclination and the desire and you're willing to put in the study and the work … even if you don't feel like you have a natural talent to get paid for your words, you can develop your writing skills to the point where people read your work and say, "Wow, you are really talented!" But, how do you do that?! I'm glad you asked. There are several ways you can go about improving your writing skills. Some of them are completely free and some are an investment. No matter what, you will need to put in time, but it's time well spent. It can even be fun. Here Are 3 Free Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills Free Way #1. Join a Writing Group Few things will improve your writing faster than getting input from other writers. You can become part of a accountability group or copywriting peer group by joining AWAI's Facebook groups and putting out a message of what you're looking for. If you attend live events like Bootcamp, many copywriting support groups are formed. Some AWAI programs include feedback from expert copywriters and a private forum to get feedback from fellow writers. You can also find writing groups at your local bookstore, through your local library, by doing a search on Meetup, or by finding like-minded writers through Facebook or other social networks. Most writing groups will meet either once a week or once a month (in person, on the phone, via Skype … ). You'll take turns sharing your work and providing each other feedback. If you can, find a group that's focused on the type of writing you want to do. Free Way #2. Write Every Day Just the act of writing tends to improve your writing skills. Set aside 15 minutes each day and during that time, don't do anything but write. Don't even think if you can help it. Just let the words stream forth. This type of practice works best if you work from a writing prompt. AWAI offers a whole slew of persuasive writing prompts onsite. We also offer a fun [free report](: 31 Writing Prompts to Inspire You Through the Month. You can also find prompts on the Internet or buy books full of prompts from Amazon. Free Way #3. Read Critically Whatever kind of writing you want to do, start reading more of it. If you want to write blogs, read really great blogs. If you want to write sales letters, read more sales letters. If you want to write case studies … you get the idea. But don't just read passively. Study the structure. Think about the word choice. Evaluate what you like and what you think can be better. Reading like this will carry over into your writing and you'll start to notice improvements in no time. 3 Smart Ways to Invest in Your Skills If you want to improve your skills even faster it can pay to … uh, pay for tools designed to help you. Smart Investment #1. Work Through a Course that Interests You Whatever kind of persuasive writing you're interested in, AWAI has a program that can help you develop your chops. The key here is working through the program. You can't just buy it and set it on a shelf. Purchase a program … skim through it … based on what you see, set some milestones for completing it … then set up a schedule and get to work. AWAI programs, such as Web Copywriting 2.0, offer schedules to follow for study and guidelines for how to work through the program and then how you can find clients, just to help you get started. Smart Investment #2. Take a Class Do you have a community college nearby? Check out their course listings. If they have a writing class, sign up. You'll get feedback from your teacher … and you'll have assignments to work on. It's amazing what that kind of accountability can do for you! Smart Investment #3. Get Professional Feedback When it comes to professional feedback, you have options. If you have connections with a professional copywriter, ask them if they do reviews and what their fee is for that service. AWAI has several programs that include professional reviews as part of the coursework, or Hot Seats and Peer Reviews. Over on [Wealthy Web Writer](, we do copy critiques of once a month (random selections from monthly Practice Assignment submissions) — and whether it's your copy being reviewed or someone else's, you can learn a ton. If you dream of writing but worry you don't have a way with words … don't fret. Writing is a skill you can develop. And once you do, only you will know how much of what you write comes from natural talent … and how much of it is skill you put in the work to develop. Either way, it won't matter. Your writing will get results … and that's all you need in order to earn your living with words. Do you have any questions about developing your writing skills? Share with us in the comments [here]( so we can help you get started. Ideal "Beginner" Writer's Market Want to live the writer's life, but just don't know the best way to get started? Then this "beginner" writer's market is PERFECT for you. It's growing fast — and is set to reach $335 billion over the next two years … Which means plenty of clients, and many short, straightforward projects. [To start getting paid to write – CLICK HERE.]( Quit your job, write, travel, and relax! Barefoot writers have more fun, more money, and more freedom. Their secret? A special club bringing them the top opportunities for income and writers-only freebies each and every month. And, it's not just a one-way information flow. Barefoot Writer Club Members also have one of Facebook's most positive and supportive private communities to keep them on track to having the good life – fast. Why not join them? [New members accepted here.]( Save 50% on Secrets of Writing Blockbuster Financial Market Controls Learn to write for the most lucrative "niche" of the copywriting market so you can write, compete and even beat most of the competition out there and take your rightful place in this little "club" of in-demand copywriters with the Secrets of Writing Blockbuster Financial Market Controls. [Special Offer: Order by July 8th and save 50%]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? [View in your browser, here](. For questions or requests: [contact us online](. --------------------------------------------------------------- ©2018 American Writers & Artists Inc. Do you know of someone who would benefit from reading The Writer's Life? Simply direct them [here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- American Writers & Artists Inc. 101 SE 6th Avenue, Suite A Delray Beach, FL 33483 (561) 278-5557 or (866) 879-2924 Ensure your subscription delivery. AWAI Whitelisting info available [here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- You are subscribed to this newsletter as {EMAIL}. To unsubscribe from any future issues of The Writer's Life, please click here: [Unsubscribe from The Writer's Life](. To unsubscribe from all AWAI broadcasts click here. [I want to permanently unsubscribe from all AWAI emails](.