The Power of Autodidactic Learning in Writing: How to Hone Your Craft on Your Own

The Power of Autodidactic Learning in Writing: How to Hone Your Craft on Your Own

 

by Olivia Salter

 

Autodidactic is a fancy word for someone who is self-taught. When it comes to how to write a novel, short story, or screenplay, many aspiring writers believe that they can be self-taught and acquire all the skills that they need. While education and writing workshops can certainly be beneficial, there are a growing number of successful authors who have honed their craft through self-directed learning.

One of the key advantages of autodidactic learning in writing is the flexibility it offers. Writers can tailor their learning experience to suit their individual needs and preferences, focusing on areas where they feel they need the most improvement. Whether it's mastering the art of dialogue, perfecting plot structure, or developing memorable characters, self-taught writers have the freedom to delve into the specific aspects of writing that matter most to them.

Furthermore, autodidactic learning allows writers to learn at their own pace. There is no pressure to keep up with a predetermined curriculum or meet deadlines set by others. Instead, writers can take their time to fully understand and master each concept before moving on to the next, ensuring a solid foundation in the fundamentals of writing.

Additionally, self-directed learning encourages writers to take ownership of their development as authors. By actively seeking out resources, experimenting with different techniques, and persisting through challenges on their own, writers can build confidence in their abilities and cultivate a strong sense of creativity and resilience.

While formal education and writing workshops certainly have their merits, aspiring writers should not underestimate the power of autodidactic learning in honing their craft. With dedication, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from both success and failure, self-taught writers can embark on a fulfilling journey of self-education.

In the distant past, higher education was only available to a select few. However, this did not stop those motivated to learn. They took on the responsibility of educating themselves, becoming autodidacts, even without the use of the internet and at times, even without the use of books.

Here’s a very abbreviated list of some well-known autodidacts. This list is far from being complete. Abraham Lincoln, Hermann Hesse, John Steinbeck, Charles Dickens, Henry Miller, Truman Capote, William Faulkner, David Hume, Mark Twain, Herman Melville, George Bernard Shaw, Ernest Hemingway, Ray Bradbury, Vincent van Gogh, David Bowie, Orson Welles, Stanley Kubrick, Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Quentin Tarantino, Jimi Hendrix, Noel Coward, Henri Rousseau, Bruce Springsteen, Frank Lloyd Wright, Peter Behrens, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Wright Brothers, Henry Ford, Charles Darwin, Blaise Pascal, Galileo Galilei, Moshe Feldenkrais, and Benjamin Franklin. Many painters, musicians, writers, scientists, architects, inventors, directors, and philosophers were self-taught. Many Nobel Prize winners had no formal education. Many people whom we consider geniuses, such as Newton, Einstein, Franklin, Edison, Tesla, Watt, and Faraday, were autodidacts.

The point of this post isn’t to discuss whether or not a formal university education is worth the ticket price. The goal is to delineate the essential qualities and behaviors needed to be a successful autodidact. Even if you are currently attending some sort of formal education—high school, university, or post-graduate—these are attributes that will enhance an otherwise standard education.

References

Peter Hollins, The Science of Self-Learning: How to Teach Yourself Anything, Learn More in Less Time, and Direct Your Own Education. Kindle Edition, 2018.