What About Talent?

I'm trying to write this post on my son's laptop, over at his house, watching the grandkids.  Parent teacher conferences today, no school.  This is a bit problematic since all my post ideas, notes, pictures, etc. are on the PC at my house.  So this will be an off-the-top-of-my-head post.

My local writing group met last night.  We listened to a guest speaker, local author Liz Coley, then broke into smaller groups for critique sessions.  As usual, the work being read ranged from wonderful to...well, not so wonderful.  I was especially discouraged for one of our members whose work was riddled with cliches and long-winded flowery passages. The group was gentle and offered useful advice but I knew she'd be back next month with more of the same.  She listened to what everyone was telling her but never seemed able to apply it to her work. 

We all talk about learning our craft, developing our skills. Even the most talented writer must learn how to channel that talent.  Right?  But I found myself wondering last night - can anyone learn to write?  With the right books or classes or teachers, can anyone become a good (or even great) writer?  Or does there have to be some natural talent underneath?  Is writing well a gift, a learned skill, or a little of both?  Can you have one without the other?

What do you think?

Have a great weekend.  Do something fun.

Groaner of the Day:  At New York's Kennedy Airport today, an individual later discovered to be a public school teacher was arrested trying to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a set square and a calculator. Authorities believe he is a member of the notorious al-Gebra movement.

He is being charged with carrying weapons of math instruction.

(hee hee hee)