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This issue of Aaron Writes will examine nature versus nurture in views of learning to write. Writing experts have differing views of how people learn to write. One view is that writing is nature. Some people are born writers, and some people are not. Another view is that writing is nurture. People can learn to write. With regular writing practice and good writing guidance, everyone can write. As the years have passed, the importance of nature is emphasized less and less, and the importance of nurture more and more. While the topic of writing begins as a first language for writers, it quickly becomes relevant for second language writers.
At ALS, we believe that nature does have a role in determining who we are as writers, but assuming that we are able to think and write in some way, we believe that nurture and hard work are more important than nature.
The role of hard work in writing is often ignored. Many of us have an image of writers sitting down and quickly writing a brilliant short story or novel, much as a talented student may quickly write a report. Such writers may exist, but they are few and far between. Writing demands hard work. Writers must sit down, the blank paper or screen in front of them, and write. Many writers have elaborate routines or schedules that they follow to help them to do this. Then the writer starts to write, word after word, sentence after sentence, paragraph after paragraph, page after page, and version after version. Slowly the writing starts to take shape. Eventually, if all goes well, the writing is completed and reads smoothly.
Where does this put students who are writing in a second language? It places them in a position that requires even more hard work. Most native English speaking writers begin their writing with basic knowledge in their native language. Most begin writing during early childhood and continue writing throughout their school experiences. They can draw on their cultural knowledge, education, English skills, and English reading experience. Still, writing is difficult for many, and not everyone becomes skilled.
Writers writing in English who are not native speakers can draw upon their education, reading, and knowledge from their native languages. This gives them the experience to write, which is of great importance. Good writing, after all, comes from experience. We write best about that which we know. What about writers who don't have the cultural knowledge, English skills, and background in English reading that is necessary to write well?
We are afraid there is no easy answer. If you want to write well in English, you need cultural knowledge, English skills, and a background in English reading. Although there is no easy answer, this does not mean that gaining such knowledge, skill, and background is an impossible task. If you remember that Rome was not built in a day, you start to build your foundation for becoming a writer. You could improve your English skills, read as much as you can in English, and write. With enough nurture, your writing will get better and better.
Making an analogy with playing tennis may help. No one would expect to become an expert tennis player in three weeks. We would expect to have a coach, buy the appropriate shoes and tennis racket, concentrate on learning, watch other tennis players, work on our swing, and practice every day. Writing improvement is the same as tennis. Both require hard work, diligence, and a decision to do your best.
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