Did you ever take piano lessons? Or play baseball or football? Or swim on the swim team? Have you ever exercised? (I agree. I hate it too.) Have you tried to learn to paint or cook? Do you know how to ride a bike? If you’ve done any of these things you know the first time you step in the field or put your hands on the keys, well, you’re just not very good.
What? On the first day of Pee Wee football, your coach told you that you played just like Brett Favre? Well, your Pee Wee coach could probably see the unique football genius in you. I trust, Pee Wee Coach, so ok, you’re a genius, but the rest of us need to practice.
I’m on the fence about natural talent vs. learned skill. I’m a believer that good writing is a bit of both. But all writers, even the ones with some natural talent, need to practice everyday. Hear me?!? EVERYDAY!!! Yes, I’m yelling. It’s important. If you want to be good, then writing everyday makes all the difference.
For a long time, I didn’t heed this advice. Maybe I thought my natural talent was enough to carry me through. I subscribed to the Professor Harold Hill, “think system”of writing practice. If I thought about writing enough, then when I actually got around to writing, I’d be good. Guess what? Ppppbbbbttttt. The think system is a bust. When I read things I wrote during this time, they are decidedly un-good.
So now I write everyday. Even if it is just a blurb or a single sentence, but I look for something to write about everyday. And then I make myself actually write it. (Remember I’m prone to thinking about it, but I want to call myself a writer, not a thinker, so that means I must write.)
So where are the best places to house this daily writing practice? Truth is, it doesn’t matter. A notebook, a journal, or a blog are all good mediums, just as long as your brain is making your fingers capture words and ideas, in writing, everyday.
I’m a big believer in daily writing – can you tell?
Your Assignment: Write something, whether it be a single sentence or a whole story, everyday this week. So by the time you come back here you will have written 7 things. DAILY. As in everyday! Get it? And I will too.
See you in 7,
Lisa
P.S. If you don’t know Professor Harold Hill and the “think system” then put The Music Man on the top of your Netflix queue immediately. It’s a classic. You’ll love it. Trust me.
Wife. Mother. Shoe connoisseur. Wannabe chef. Consultant. Blogger. Writer. Loves pie, a lot.
Is this going to develop any further?
Whooops.. this wasn’t supposed to turn into such a dreadful emoticon..
Just by reading this bit, I like the way you write. Thank-you for the advice, it gave my dream mountain a foot hole to start with.
Hi there, i’ve been reading a lot of the things you have been posting and let me tell you, Thank-you. I am an aspiring writer and I am currently working on a novel that i will try my hardes to get published. Your posts have really helped me alot, so thank-you so much for posting. Keep it up i’m sure there are so many others out there waiting to read more
P.S. I’m also currently reading mockingjay, such a good series!
Admiring Reader
I feel like a ton of lead is on my shoulders, as i have with in me, a book which I am struggling to write.
The time that I have to work on my book is decreasingly lower than other peoples expectations.
I got kicked out of school for not shaving at grade three, and have been struggling ever since.
I believe that my book would help many people, and at the same time help my self
Any one have any positive ideas.?
Thank you sincerly .
Harry
I love to write and all but then i get started on a big book project and then half way through i start to think the whole idea is stupid. I start another book and the same thing happens. I have like twenty unfinished novels sitting around my house. But i get really good ideas and cant put them onto paper