Develop An Athletic Writing Practice

"Practice doesn't make perfect. Practice reduces the imperfection." 

 - Toba Beta

"Practice creates the Master." - Miguel Ruiz

P reparation

       R evelations

             A ctions

                    C uriosity

                          T alent

                                I magination

                                       C enteredness

                                                E nergy

Similar to an athletic endeavor, writing depends on commitment, repetition, trial-and-error, and the insights gained. A positive habit develops the more an activity repeats. Confidence and skills increase with each writing activity. 

Ken Doherty shares his five S's of sports training: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit. The greatest is spirit. These apply also to writing with spirit driving the rest. 

Writers require a foundation in grammar. Expansion on the basics helps to develop communication that readers will enjoy.

A writer-athlete takes time to train by establishing a schedule of regular performance. Fingers and mind coordinate the communication skills of tossing and bouncing words across a page.  

Get started!

Promise a week's devotion. Choose a pen that flows color onto the page. Knowledge of touch typing will free the mind from hunting and pecking. Look beyond the keyboard as you type.

Set a time to develop consistency. Devote ten minutes as first. Discover the best time for the writing mind and muscles to activate. Try early morning, afternoon or evening sessions to
observe how they engage your personal energy and rhythm.

Find a location that provides an observation of nature, movement and connections. Engage with all the senses to enable subconscious thoughts to emerge. 

Settle before you write. Focus the breath with a five count in and out through the nose. Repeat five times.

Begin to write about what moves outside a window or in your  natural setting. Add sounds and scents. Color and texture will keep the flow going. 

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

Pay attention to sensations in the body to let the mind wander into areas not considered.

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

Leave the writing session when you do not want to quit. Stop while writing in a flow. This will encourage your return.

Engage those writing muscles!