Are your members falling for common fiction writing myths? These templates help you spark informed, lively discussions and clear up misconceptions. Save time while encouraging fact-based dialogue in your community.
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Myth Buster posts tap into curiosity by challenging commonly held beliefs in the fiction writing world. Members love to set the record straight and share their own experiences, which drives thoughtful discussion and deeper engagement. By debunking myths and providing reliable sources, you foster a learning environment that values truth and growth.
This content type also empowers both new and experienced writers to break free from unhelpful assumptions. It encourages critical thinking and builds trust in your community as a source of accurate, supportive information.
Myth: You must write every day to be a real writer. Why do you think this persists?
💡 Example: "Myth: You must write every day to be a real writer. Why do you think this persists?"
Fact check time: Is it true that all good novels follow the three-act structure?
💡 Example: "Fact check time: Is it true that all good novels follow the three-act structure?"
Some say you need an MFA to get published. Is this myth or reality?
💡 Example: "Some say you need an MFA to get published. Is this myth or reality?"
Myth buster: Do agents only want stories with a strong hook in the first page?
💡 Example: "Myth buster: Do agents only want stories with a strong hook in the first page?"
True or false: You should never use adverbs in your fiction writing.
💡 Example: "True or false: You should never use adverbs in your fiction writing."
Have you heard the myth that all writers hate their first drafts? What do you think?
💡 Example: "Have you heard the myth that all writers hate their first drafts? What do you think?"
Myth: You need a detailed outline before you start writing. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "Myth: You need a detailed outline before you start writing. Agree or disagree?"
Some believe self-published books are always lower quality. Why does this myth stick?
💡 Example: "Some believe self-published books are always lower quality. Why does this myth stick?"
Fact or fiction: You must write what you know. Let's discuss.
💡 Example: "Fact or fiction: You must write what you know. Let's discuss."
Myth: Real writers never get writer's block. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "Myth: Real writers never get writer's block. Do you agree?"
Do you think all bestsellers are well-written? Is this a myth?
💡 Example: "Do you think all bestsellers are well-written? Is this a myth?"
Myth buster: Does your story have to fit perfectly into a genre?
💡 Example: "Myth buster: Does your story have to fit perfectly into a genre?"
Some say you must have a big vocabulary to write good fiction. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Some say you must have a big vocabulary to write good fiction. Thoughts?"
Do you believe 'show, don't tell' is a rule for every scene? Why or why not?
💡 Example: "Do you believe 'show, don't tell' is a rule for every scene? Why or why not?"
Myth: You have to write in silence. How do you feel about this?
💡 Example: "Myth: You have to write in silence. How do you feel about this?"
Fact check: Are all editors failed writers? Where did this idea come from?
💡 Example: "Fact check: Are all editors failed writers? Where did this idea come from?"
Is it a myth that you need to write a novel as your first book?
💡 Example: "Is it a myth that you need to write a novel as your first book?"
Some claim you can't be published without an agent. Is this still true today?
💡 Example: "Some claim you can't be published without an agent. Is this still true today?"
Myth: Only certain genres sell. What has your experience been?
💡 Example: "Myth: Only certain genres sell. What has your experience been?"
Heard the myth that writing is a lonely pursuit? Share your take.
💡 Example: "Heard the myth that writing is a lonely pursuit? Share your take."
Is 'write drunk, edit sober' actually helpful advice or just a myth?
💡 Example: "Is 'write drunk, edit sober' actually helpful advice or just a myth?"
Myth: All famous authors wrote bestsellers early in their careers. Can you name exceptions?
💡 Example: "Myth: All famous authors wrote bestsellers early in their careers. Can you name exceptions?"
Some say you can't write fiction if you have a day job. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Some say you can't write fiction if you have a day job. Thoughts?"
True or false: You need to write long chapters for your book to be taken seriously.
💡 Example: "True or false: You need to write long chapters for your book to be taken seriously."
Myth buster: Is 'said' the only dialogue tag you should use?
💡 Example: "Myth buster: Is 'said' the only dialogue tag you should use?"
Do you think you have to finish one project before starting another? Why or why not?
💡 Example: "Do you think you have to finish one project before starting another? Why or why not?"
Myth: You need to be published young to have a writing career. Who inspires you?
💡 Example: "Myth: You need to be published young to have a writing career. Who inspires you?"
Fact check: Is writer's block just procrastination?
💡 Example: "Fact check: Is writer's block just procrastination?"
Have you heard that 'real writers' always have a muse? Share your experience.
💡 Example: "Have you heard that 'real writers' always have a muse? Share your experience."
Myth: You need to be good at grammar to write fiction. Is this true for you?
💡 Example: "Myth: You need to be good at grammar to write fiction. Is this true for you?"
Some say endings should always tie up every loose end. Do you agree with this myth?
💡 Example: "Some say endings should always tie up every loose end. Do you agree with this myth?"
Myth: You should never break grammar rules in fiction. What's your take?
💡 Example: "Myth: You should never break grammar rules in fiction. What's your take?"
Fact or fiction: Only serious topics make for good novels.
💡 Example: "Fact or fiction: Only serious topics make for good novels."
Do you think you need to suffer for your art? Is this a writing myth?
💡 Example: "Do you think you need to suffer for your art? Is this a writing myth?"
Myth: All writing advice applies to every writer. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "Myth: All writing advice applies to every writer. Agree or disagree?"
Heard that you need to write a full series to get noticed? Myth or fact?
💡 Example: "Heard that you need to write a full series to get noticed? Myth or fact?"
Some believe you must write alone. Can collaboration work in fiction?
💡 Example: "Some believe you must write alone. Can collaboration work in fiction?"
Myth: Writing talent is something you are born with. How do you feel about this?
💡 Example: "Myth: Writing talent is something you are born with. How do you feel about this?"
Fact check: Is being published with a big five publisher the only path to success?
💡 Example: "Fact check: Is being published with a big five publisher the only path to success?"
Myth: You have to write longhand to connect with your story. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Myth: You have to write longhand to connect with your story. Thoughts?"
Do you believe all writers are introverts? Is this a stereotype or a fact?
💡 Example: "Do you believe all writers are introverts? Is this a stereotype or a fact?"
Start by selecting a relevant myth that your community may have encountered. Post the template as-is or personalize it with your own examples. Ask members to share their experiences or knowledge, then provide facts or resources to clarify the topic. Rotate myths regularly to keep discussions fresh and educational. Always cite reputable sources to maintain credibility.
These templates are optimized for all platforms. For forums and Facebook groups, use the template as a discussion starter and pin for visibility. On Discord or Slack, pair with a poll or quick reply thread. On Instagram or Twitter, adapt the myth and call to action for concise posts. Always monitor for respectful, evidence-based dialogue.
Select a template that prompts discussion about 'show, don't tell,' such as a myth vs. reality format. Use it to clarify what 'showing' actually means with concrete narrative examples versus merely stating emotions. Encourage members to share passages from their own writing, and open a thread for feedback and questions to debunk common misunderstandings, like the belief that all exposition must be avoided.
Choose a myth template focused on outlining or plotting, and frame the post around the idea that 'real writers always outline before drafting.' Use industry terminology like 'pantsers vs. plotters' and invite experienced members to share their successful writing processes, whether they outline, discovery-write, or hybridize. This helps demystify the one-size-fits-all approach and opens up honest discussion about writing methods.
Use a template specifically designed for controversial writing advice. Present the myth ('Good writers never use adverbs') and back it up with examples from published fiction where adverbs are effective. Encourage members to post excerpts where carefully chosen adverbs enhance prose, fostering nuanced discussion about moderation versus avoidance.
Absolutely. Utilize a template that highlights genre-specific myths, focusing on a statement like 'Every fantasy novel needs a prologue.' Invite community members—especially those who write or read a lot of fantasy—to share successful examples both with and without prologues. This helps writers understand when a prologue adds value and when it may be unnecessary.
Select a template designed for polarizing topics and frame the myth (e.g., 'Self-published books are always lower quality than traditionally published ones'). Encourage respectful debate by asking for evidence, personal experiences, and industry data. Make sure the discussion stays focused on factors like editing, marketing, and reader reception, not just anecdotal beliefs.
Use a template that spotlights character development myths. Present the assertion ('Your protagonist must always be likable') and cite examples of successful antiheroes or morally gray protagonists from literature. Prompt members to discuss how character complexity contributes to reader engagement, and invite them to share their own experiences writing or reading less-than-likable main characters.
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