Myth #5. "Good writers need to have a special gift." No, anyone can learn to write well. You can develop it. Like all skills, it requires focus, patience and willingness to learn, as well as practice and dedication to keep sharpened.

Myth #4. "Good writing is spontaneous, fast and easy." Unless you're the next Dickens, ask any good writer - even the most prolific ones - and they'll tell you how long they took to write their masterpieces. Yes, we sometimes hear stories of how novels and screenplays are written in a few days. But ask them how much of the first draft made it into the final, and you'll see a big discrepancy. Writing is re-writing. Always.

Myth #3. "Writing is a science." No it's more like an art, highly subjective and open to interpretation. Oh there are grammar and all kinds of writing rules. However, the English language is quite flexible and an ample tool for creative expression. That said, the more you read and practice writing, the more it will appear like a "science" as your communication becomes more rigidly clear from using the most accurate words and appropriate structure.

Myth #2. "Good writing never needs editing." I bet even Shakespeare had an extra pairs of eyes on hand. Every writer is too close to his/her own work to be able to give it an unbiased proofreading. I often think of writers and editors as barbers - they're great at cutting the material of others, but naturally can't cut their own.

Myth #1 "Good writing needs inspiration to get started." Avoid this belief as much as you can. Writer's block begins once you convince yourself of this. Write what's in your head at that given moment. You'll be surprised what's in your mind and how interesting it can be if you let your ideas flow unhindered at first. Good writing can make the most mundane things sound intriguing.