Writing Practice!

"Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it."  

~ Lao Tzu 

Must we always practice writing?   Yes!   A positive habit develops the more an activity repeats. We gain confidence and skill with each writing performance.

Practice provides exercise in action. Ken Doherty shares his five S's of sports training: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit. These apply also to writing with spirit driving the others.

Writing Practice

When setting up a writing practice, develop a schedule to encourage consistency. Once you have defined a time and place a habit will evolve. With determination to follow a routine, the time and place will draw you back. 

How to Begin

Sit in a relaxed posture. Take a few breaths in and out. Follow a sound and begin to write. Add a scent and a visual image.  Include an emotion. Let memories and experiences connect. Let your favorite music play in the background.

Just write

Notice the first ideas that appear. Don't judge them.  Let them flow. Ask yourself, "Where will writing take me right now?"  Look out the window and capture details.

Encourage your writer's mind to do the rest. Push your child's mind out to play. Silliness and humor add to the mixture. Throw in a funky word or two. Equilate and delevate.

Practice at the same time and place for a week. Over time you'll notice the urge to continue. Notice what happens after you have set your ritual when you don't write for a day. You'll feel a writing tug back to the pen or keyboard. Now you have a writing practice.

Once you have the timing set, try alternate locations to spark creativity. Make the time and you will revel in the joy of writing.