Comments on: Creative Writing: Skill vs. Talent

By: Who Else Wants to Master the Creative Writing Skills?

Who Else Wants to Master the Creative Writing Skills? — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:33:09 +0000

[...] Talent helps, but it’s not essential in writing. What is talent if not love of one’s craft? ~ Melissa Donovan [...]

By: Creative Writing Skills: Do You Have Them All?

Creative Writing Skills: Do You Have Them All? — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:13:39 +0000

[...] – The old debate: skills vs. talent comes to mind. Which is essential? Both again. So what does skills mean? Persistence. [...]

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:42:14 +0000

Jermaine, That’s a tough question. I’m tempted to say “you just know.” Usually, talent is observed in children and teachers or other adults will make remarks about it. If something comes easily or naturally to you, then you may have a talent for it. But I personally don’t think it matters. If you love something, just pursue it. If you sit around wondering whether you have talent, you’re just wasting time that would be better spent doing the thing itself. Hard work trumps talent every time.

By: Jermaine B.R. Kanhai

Jermaine B.R. Kanhai — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:59:56 +0000

Thank you, Ms Donovan.
But still, how do I know if I have talent in creative crafts such as art (drawing) and writing (English) Fantasy literature?

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:01:29 +0000

Well, talent is real. Some people have it and some people don’t. But talent is not some prerequisite for success. It’s jut an extra boost. I’ve seen plenty of super talented people remain stagnant because they refuse to apply themselves or work hard at something. Just keep pursuing what you want to do and you’ll get somewhere, talented or not.