Six Word Memoirs on Life Stories

TheAngstyPoet says,

Good writers invent themselves. I started writing poetry about a year or two ago. I have grown so much and improved enormously. I look at my old stuff and I can't help thinking: this is crap. :P

maryjane31 says,

Hannahmo I truly believe that a good writer is born. My natural talent in composition began in grade school. My high school English teacher loved my writing and wanted me to pursue it. I got married and had children instead, and went on to another career in nursing. Some people are born with a genius in Math others like myself could never do Algebra! Yes I think people all are different and have talents in all different areas. It is what makes the world go round!

marymc says,

They are born, and then they work like hell to become better.

MissTChristine says,

I believe this is the epitome of "is a leader born or created?" MaryJane has a valid point, but I on the other hand received enormous amounts of negative criticism from professors beginning in grade school and extending into my freshman year at university in regards to my writings. I've written privately since I was nine and have never ceased in my own style of free writing and have slowly evolved into, what I presume is, a writer that people enjoy reading, albeit my own personal audience in the form of a blog. I write in a manner that is not so precise, nor entirely grammatically correct yet I manage to project the correct inflection, and my point, effectively. Since coming into my own I've struggled with the idea of "how do I appeal to everyone" -- you can't--and "what do I write about next"--what you feel--and regardless of my stumbles, I've appealed to my audience so much that they hope to one day see a published work from me. I hope to please them some day.

JAD says,

Definitely born, I'm not the best in the world, but without any kind of teachings on the matter and you can pick up a pen and paper and go for what you know out of the blue, that says a lot. I try my hand at it,it skipped three sisters and now my youngest sister is in the process.

Bevvie says,

ditto Mary! Born and the nurtured!

Bevvie says,

born and then nurtured! (sorry! still typing with one hand and one good eye)

Hannahmo says,

Love all the responses. :) English has always been my best subject and I've been writing ever since I was a small child. That being said, I think anyone can be a decent writer if they are determined and work hard at it.

sisterpoet says,

Writing is both an art and a science. One can know the technical side of things but lack VOICE. Likewise, one can have a "natural" gift of creative expression and little knowledge or concern with the mechanics of things. Mary is correct.....good writers refine their craft. I guess it is a matter of opinion as well as response from the audience that determines the value of it.
Having said all that, anyone who writes for any reason, in any form, who gets something or gives something as a result of their creation is a writer ALSO. I have often been moved by the creative expression of those who I least expected to be moved by.

Sagacious says,

One person's idea of "good" is going to be different to the next so, in my opinion, the question is moot.

DynamicDbytheC says,

I think anyone can LEARN to be a decent writer. However, the words and structure are the skeleton and the meaning and ideas are the flesh. It reminds me of singers. Those who sing from the soul can make the same song touch us more than other singers. Some people are born with a deep soul, a need to express or great ideas. So my answer is both but the better writers may have a natural gift/talent.