INNATE OR NOT?

by Kathy Cannon Wiechman

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As a kid, I listened to Cincinnati Reds baseball games with my dad. I asked questions, and he answered. That bond with my father is what made me a Reds fan.

I listened to what announcers said about the players—including Pete Rose. No matter what else he has done, he still holds the record for most hits ever, having passed Ty Cobb in 1985.

What you may not know about Pete is that he was never considered to have “natural ability.” He became the all-time hits king in spite of this so-called lack of talent. He loved baseball and wanted to play. He threw himself into the sport 100%. He took extra batting practice. He studied the pitchers to anticipate what they would throw him. His hard work made up for what he lacked innately. Did it ever!

But baseball and Pete Rose are not my topic today.

My topic is Voice, a necessity in successful writing. Experts say Voice can’t be taught. You have it or you don’t. I was told I have it. For that, I am grateful. But what if I’d been told I don’t? Would I have quit writing?

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I wonder if someone ever told Pete Rose that hitting a baseball took talent. Did they tell him either you have it or you don’t? Did someone ever try to discourage him from playing the game he loved? If they did, he showed them—and everybody—what can be accomplished without innate ability.

My reason for writing this post is to remind you that obstacles can be overcome with hard work. If you love to write, write! If someone says you don’t have Voice, dig deeper and work harder. You might just find that you can make up for what is not innate.