No, you don't, but it is important. Bad grammar or the lack of it should not hold you back. I have known grammar aficionados who write terrible prose. I have also known people who have no grammar write great stories, stories that are direct from the heart. Here is one such writing by Bill Neidjie (Kakadu Man), an Australian Aboriginal elder:

My people… all dead We only got a few left… that’s all, not many.
We getting too old. Young people… I don’t know if they can hang on to this story… might be you can hang on to this story… to this earth…
You got children… grandson. Might be your grandson will get this story… keep going… Hang on like I done My spirit has gone back to my country… my mother.
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     What more could the above say – better grammar would not improve the power of the piece. And, even without grammar it is clear and easy to follow.
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   So do not let your lack of education, specifically a lack of grammar stop you. Rather, feel your writing, to be absorbed into it. If your grammar is not too good, don’t be concerned in the short term – just write. If you love writing, the grammar will come, and you will pick up bits here and there. Whereas, who learnt grammar for grammar’s sake? We learn grammar as a means to an end.
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   If your grammar is suspect, apply the following:
Make sure that the full grammar settings in your word processing software are on (checked). Usually, the default settings only make use of about a quarter of the options.
   When you spell-check, take your time, and make sure you take heed of all those prompts.
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Many writing coaches suggest to new authors to write from what they are familiar with. That makes sense as it is easier to focus on the writing. But once you are established as a writer, Elif Shafak (a novelist from Turkey) suggests that you expand your writing into what you don’t know. That way you grow as an individual and your store of knowledge can be drawn from a wider field.
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There will be a lot more on What to write about in a future post.

​Discipline is an earmark of a good writer.
     Norman Mailer, author of the The naked and the dead spoke thus about discipline;
I used to have a little studio in Brooklyn, a couple of blocks from my house — no telephone, not much else. The only thing I ever did there was work. It was perfect. I was like a draft horse with a conditioned reflex. I came in ready to sit at my desk. No television, no way to call out. Didn’t want to be tempted.
     There’s an old Talmudic belief that you build a fence around an impulse. If that’s not good enough, you build a fence around the fence. So, no amenities, just writing.
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Success as a writer;
Skill; you must develop it. And, develop it you can.
Hard work; without it no critical mass will be achieve; Getting onto ‘the network’ of readers and influencers (the hard work must be smart work, and part of the smart working is getting onto the network).
Luck; there is no doubt that luck plays an important role in success, being seen or not being seen, being at the right place at the right time. But the hard work, with its increased exposure, will help in growing lucky exposure
               … and, to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling;
               …yours is the publishing world and all that is in it.
                And what is more you will be a best-selling author, my dear.

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• zYou must be organised – otherwise you will miss deadlines.
• Be creative.
• Have a belief in your ability to entertain readers.
• As for all skilled people, you must have pride in your work.
• A storyteller.
• Have things to say, perhaps from life’s experiences.
• Have something to say about an issue.
• Enjoy writing.
• Have the time to write.
• A good grasp of grammar, or the ability to learn as you go.
• You need to be disciplined – if not, it is unlikely that you will Sit down each day to write.
• Determination is another requirement.
• Understand the importance of editing your work to make it as ‘clean’ as possible.

Have you realised that there is not one characteristic in the above list that you cannot cultivate? All are achievable and are taught in How to Write – Right!

   I want to write a book
Some of the topics cover in this blog:

• I want to write a book. How/where do I start?
• How do I advance from a novice to a good writer?
• Do I need to learn grammar before I can write?
• Should I self-publish my book?
• Why most manuscripts don't work?
• Creativity, can I develop it?
• How do authors and writers develop ideas?
• How do you say what you mean to say?
• Why you need to make yourself a brand?
• Where is the book-publishing industry heading?

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And there is more, such as ePubs, editing, and creativity, all designed to support you as a writer who hungers to be published.

• Do you tell your friends that you are a writer, or do you say that you sometimes write?
• Do you share any of your writing?

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This is important as you only become a writer when you say you are a writer, not when the book is published, or recognition comes your way. For instance; Stevie is eight years old and plays soccer. Oh yes, he doesn't kick the ball very well, and has not yet learnt to head the ball – but he is a soccer player.  He and his mother do not wait until he plays for Liverpool to call him a soccer player. He is a soccer player irrespective of his level of skill; after all, he will acquire these with practice.

The same goes for you. You may not have all the skills to produce great prose – yet. But you are still a writer. Do not let the so-called professionals intimidate you – you are a writer. Say it to yourself, I am a writer.
Because of the momentousness of this point, I am going to spend more time on it.

​Be well, write well Pat
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P.S Feel free to comment on this post.

    This is the opening post of this How to write a book blog. As an author, writing coach, and a publisher I do a lot of research into different writing skills. I will be sharing these with you. And, because I have helped over fifty authors get their manuscript published, I know what information you need. Years ago, I wrote, what became a popular book, How to Write – Right! The version was ‘entry level’. With the research that I just mentioned. I am updating How to Write – Right! The book is not just about writing skill, it is also about publishing/self-publishing, social-media marketing, genres – in fact, pretty much everything to do with writing, publishing, and promoting a book. This blog will contain much of the information from the new book. Another way to think of this blog is that it is a free, on-going, writing and book publishing course.


Some of the topics we will cover together:

• I want to write a book. How do I start?
• How do I advance from a novice to a good writer?
• Do I need to learn grammar before I can write?
• Should I self-publish my book?
• Why do most manuscripts not work?
• Creativity, can I develop it?
• How do authors and writers develop ideas?
• How do you say what you mean to say?
• Why you need to make yourself a brand?
• Where is the book-publishing industry heading?

​​
    And there is more, such as ePub’s, editing, and creativity, all designed to support you as a writer who hungers to be published.

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Creative Writing
    In the writing skill section, I will be giving you many examples of wonderful creative writing, all based on the topic discussed. Here is one such piece.

From Captain Corelli’s Mandarin by Louis de Bernier …
… She did not feel very much like a healer when she saw those feet, however; they
were unrecognizable as such. They were a necrotic, multi-hued. A shell of puss and
scab lay upon the inner windings of the abandoned bandages, and yellow maggot writhed and squirmed in flesh that was all but dead. “Gerasimov!” Exclaimed
Drusilla, clutching her son’s weathered shoulders for support as she tried not to
faint away. The stench was inconceivably stupefying, and at last Pelagic felt herself
flood with the sacred compassion whose absence has previously so appalled her…
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Your Comments
     For this blog to work I need your comments, your questions, and requests for future posts. As blog posts should be about this size (not too much information) I will kick off with only one morsel of writing skill – then I’ll shut up for today.


Thought Leaders
     I love reading and have been blessed to have read over a thousand books of many genres. From these I have gleaned that there is one attribute that separates mediocre writers from good to great writers, that is beyond writing skill – beyond story telling ability – it is thinking. Not just thinking about the actual novel, but thinking about life, about people, events, politics, and our effect on the planet. They are in tune with not just current events, but how those current events do and will affect humanity. With their profound thoughts and insights placed almost seamlessly and metaphorically on the page, good writers are therefore thought leaders. Another trait they mostly have is they are not afraid to be bold and confronting.
     Alas, we can’t all be thought leaders, but we can still write and contribute, give enjoyment, support, make people laugh, entertain, contribute to human culture, whilst entertaining ourselves.

The next post will cover; ARE YOU READY TO BE AN AUTHOR?

PS, if you want to know more about me and my books, then click on this link – I’m shy!
        https://www.heartspacepublications.com/about-patrick-grayson.html

     Another PS, we have a free give away for you, an extensive Edit Check List. For this, just fill out the subscription form and we will send you the check list.
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    Be well, write well, and story tell well,
Pat

    Spontaneous writing is a writing drill that teaches you many things about writing. 
 
    You write for a set period of time, usually around ten minutes, on a spontaneously
chosen topic. You start writing and do not lift your pen off the page for the chosen time. Whilst writing, do not worry about grammar, spelling or punctuation – do not obstruct the creative process. In fact, the only thing you worry about is getting your ideas down cohesively. 
 
With these writing drills, the subject matter is not important (if it were, you may be attached to the result).
 
Benefits of spontaneous writing:
 
     ✔ You learn to write quickly and with good flow (explained later)

    ✔ It teaches you just to start writing, no procrastination. You will be surprised at how easy it gets after a time. A good writer can write about anything anytime. You must be able to write on a bus, or in a noisy environment, such as a cafe, without preamble, or fidgeting, or any other delaying tactic

    ✔ It will also teach you how to write clearly

    ✔ You gain confidence
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    The first time you do a spontaneous writing drill, start off with four minutes. Each time you do one, an another minute until you get to about fifteen minutes.

     

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     Over the years I have seen amazing improvement in students’ writing as a result of spontaneous writing. So, if you are serious about writing you should incorporate it into your daily life. I know of top-class writers who have done these drills all of their lives.
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​If you want to read & know more about writing spontaneous,
check the preview of this e-book How to Write…Right!
 
You can purchase this e-book from here: How to Write…Right!
 
If you are interested in being a professional author or want to publish your book, CONTACT US & we will get back to you in no time!