You don't know it all. You may be God's gift to the writing world, but that doesn't mean that you couldn't benefit from some more knowledge. The people who write books about writing are all professionals, and have been through much more than you have when it comes to sifting their way through the trials and tribulations of becoming a paid writer. You can benefit from their knowledge and use it to your advantage, but only if you take the time to read the books. Don't allow yourself to think that you don't need any advice, because you more than likely do.

You never know when you might be saved from embarrassing mistakes. Aside from common grammar errors, there are other mistakes you might be making that you can recognize when you read books about writing. You may think that it's a great idea to march into a newspaper editor's office without an appointment and demand a job, littering his or her desk with your crumpled samples. You then read a book which tells you that there is a proper and improper way to approach an editor for a job, and you realize that you have been going about it all wrong. You can always benefit from more knowledge, and if you don't personally have a writing mentor then books about writing can give you all the great advice which will assist you as you progress through your career. Try a couple of writing books and you will probably be hooked. After all, knowledge is indeed power.

WRITING COURSES

Colleges, professional organizations, and charlatans offer classes. No matter what type of writing you aspire to do, there is probably a course out there that you can take. Beware the hyped-up courses which promise to teach you how to make ten gazillion dollars by writing one or two sales letters for corporations. Instead, look for courses which promise to make you a better writer and to teach you the intricacies associated with being a successful writer. Avoid classes which breeze into town, hype up writing as the next great way to make your fortune, and then give you the hard sell to buy a copy of the speaker's so-called system. A better idea is to look for a class at a college or community center which is taught by someone who is an accomplished writer. If you are going to pay money to listen to this person spout wisdom, then the speaker should be someone who actually makes a living by writing…not someone who makes their living by traveling from town to town, selling a "Get Rich from Writing" system.